Can Diabetes In Dogs Cause Deafness?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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can affect your dog's hearing in a gradual way

. So slow in fact that you may not notice it. But, there are things you can look for – and if you start to notice one or more of these signs it could indicate hearing issues or deafness.

What are the symptoms of a dog dying from diabetes?

Finally, they will develop the diabetic ketoacidosis complication which will lead to

vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and decreased appetite

,” Puchot explains. These symptoms, along with tremors or seizures and abnormal breathing patterns, could be signs your dog with diabetes is dying.

Can diabetes cause deafness?


Diabetes can also cause nerve damage in your ears

. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. Low blood sugar over time can damage how the nerve signals travel from the inner ear to your brain. Both types of nerve damage can lead to hearing loss.

What dog breeds are prone to deafness?

Deafness in Dogs

More than 30 breeds of dogs have a known susceptibility for deafness, including the

Australian shepherd, Boston terrier, cocker spaniel, Dalmatian, German shepherd, Jack Russell terrier, Maltese, toy and miniature poodle, and West Highland white terrier

. Typically, it is more common in senior dogs.

What do I do if my dog is deaf?

If your dog loses his hearing, the first thing you need to do is

learn a new way to communicate with each other

. For slowly progressing hearing loss, work on incorporating hand signals into any verbal training commands. Sudden deafness requires a more intensive hand-training program.

What is diabetic ear?


Diabetes damages small blood vessels in your inner ear and your vestibular (ve-STIB-yuh-ler) system, which is the part of your inner ear that helps with balance

. Diabetes can make it harder for signals related to hearing and balance to get to your brain. Hearing loss is more common in people with diabetes.

Can diabetes hearing loss be reversed?

Can Diabetes-Related Hearing Loss Be Prevented or Treated?

Once the inner ear is damaged, lost hearing cannot be restored

.

Does diabetes cause ear ringing?


One symptom of type 1 or type 2 diabetes is tinnitus, commonly known as ringing in one or both ears

. Your inner ear, or cochlea, is the part of your hearing system that sends sound to the brain. It is unique from most parts of the body in that it does not have fat or energy reserves.

When should you put a diabetic dog down?

If your total score is above 35, then your dog's quality of life is acceptable.

If, however, your score is below 35

, you should consider euthanasia. Also remember to always discuss your options with your vet to make sure you are making the right decision, regardless of the quality of life scale assessment.

Should I put my diabetic dog down?

Some people may ask, “If my dogs has diabetes, should I put him down?”

The answer is no

. Dogs with diabetes can live a happy life without any symptoms of their disease, but it does require effort on your part. If you are able to give your dog insulin, diabetes may not affect life expectancy.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with diabetes?

The median survival for dogs with diabetes is

two years

, and there are many who live much longer than that, provided that they receive proper treatment and are regularly assessed by the vet. Thus, dogs with diabetes generally live a full, happy life that is free of symptoms when given the proper treatment.

How can you tell if your dog is getting hard of hearing?

  1. Show a change in obedience or attentiveness.
  2. Appear unresponsive to everyday sounds, such as the doorbell or vacuum.
  3. Appear unresponsive to his/her name.
  4. Fail to respond to familiar verbal commands.
  5. Be difficult to rouse from sleep.
  6. Be less active.
  7. Bark excessively.

How do you test a dog for deafness?

Your vet may also test your dog's hearing by

stepping quietly behind your dog and clapping loudly to see if there is any response

. Certain veterinary specialists can perform the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) Test. This is the most reliable method for determining deafness in dogs.

How would you know if your dog is deaf?


Dogs with deafness begin to lose the ability to hear high-pitched sounds first

, so if it doesn't respond to a whistle, try attempting other sounds like claps or clicks while facing away from your pet. You may also notice a general lack of activity and have trouble waking your dog.

Can hearing loss in dogs be reversed?


Some causes of deafness in dogs can be reversed; others cannot

. 1 For example, infections and injuries to the ear or brain may respond to treatment, but sometimes the damage caused is irreversible. Your veterinarian should be able to give you an idea of your dog's prognosis.

Do deaf dogs sleep more?


Some deaf dogs sleep longer and more deeply than hearing dogs

; so it's paramount to wake your dog gently (especially new puppies).

Does type 2 diabetes cause deafness?


Diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear

, the researchers suggest. Autopsy studies of diabetes patients have shown evidence of such damage.

Can diabetes cause ear infections?

More immediately,

people with diabetes are more prone to ear infections

, Dr. Gulati said. “An issue with diabetes is the poor blood flow makes you prone to ear infections,” he said. “If you begin to have problems with ear infections as a diabetic, more aggressive treatments may be needed.

What is the most common cause of conductive hearing loss?

According to Rothholtz, the most common cause of conductive hearing loss is

a buildup of earwax that muffles sound

. Rothholtz adds that some other types of conductive hearing loss include: Otosclerosis: This causes bone from the cochlea to grow onto the stapes bone in the middle ear, making it more difficult to hear.

Can metformin affect hearing?

In vitro studies have suggested that metformin is a potential agent against ototoxicity that reduces the number of reactive oxygen species produced by gentamicin and cisplatin.

Metformin use was safe and resulted in a superior hearing threshold in a radiation-induced hearing-loss animal model.

Can metformin cause ear problems?

Background:

The risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss associated with metformin use in patients with diabetes mellitus has not been fully examined

.

Can low blood sugar cause tinnitus?

According to David A. Greuner, M.D., surgical director at NYC Surgical Associates, rapid heart rate, as well as dizziness, headaches,

ringing in the ears

, cold sweats and other indicators of a “flight or fight” response are signs of low blood sugar.

Does diabetes make tinnitus worse?

Diabetes and tinnitus

In some cases, this may be from unrecognized hearing loss, because hearing loss frequently causes tinnitus, but

people with diabetes are also more likely to have tinnitus even when they don't have hearing loss

.

Is tinnitus an insulin problem?


There is a direct link between insulin resistance, diabetes, and tinnitus

. Studies have shown that most people with tinnitus have one of these conditions and treating them with diet and exercise can result in a significant reduction in tinnitus symptoms.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.