PSOM Question

**Tania** · 20th February 2011, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Pat

Thanks! And your neurologist is Clare so that was her advice in this particular case?

Yes this is what we agreed. Thank you for all your help and information.

**Cavaliers2kiss** · 20th February 2011, 08:48 PM

Yes, Pat. Lacey's ears were driving her crazy before the surgery. It's my understanding that PSOM can cause deafness. I'm just guesssing, but the ears probably need to be bulging for that kind of damage though.

**Pat** · 21st February 2011, 11:48 PM

FWIW, the neurologist (Simon Platt) said that we would NOT automatically do a myringotomy and flush if PSOM was an incidental finding on a screening MRI where there are no symptoms. Fortunately, there was no PSOM found so there was no decision to be made. I am tired but happy.

Pat

**Karlin** · 22nd February 2011, 12:02 AM

That is what I have always heard as well from neurologists with an asymptomatic dog.

Rod, I am not aware that PSOM is always progressive -- it certainly is not always symptomatic and myringotomy does have risks. I was advised NOT to do it on an otherwise asymptomatic or mildly affected cavalier by two neurologists and several vets that I have spoken to over the years. I will ask Clare Rusbridge if she sees much change in PSOM on repeat MRIs and am going to go have a look at my MRIs for Leo and Jaspar, done about 5 years apart. I don't think there was much change if any in that time for Leo at least.

Jaspar is now symptomatic and going deaf so I will look into the procedure. Leo and Lily all have PSOM but no issues I can see, or deafness. Lucy who is deaf, has no PSOM at all.

**Nicki** · 19th February 2012, 09:58 PM

Revisiting an old thread, both Geoff Skerritt and Glasgow vet school told me they do not treat PSOM unless the dog in discomfort or exhibiting deafness.

My Tommy has been going deaf over the last few months and has been scratching at his ears - enough to cause knots. I took him to visit with my vet last week who specialises in ear problems. He scoped Tommy's ears, the the tympanic membranes are bulging, membrane is opaque so you can hardly see the anvil bone which is usually visible. So he is going in this week to have an myringotomy.

From reading it appears that it does recur, and 2nd surgeries are often required. 3rd surgeries are unusual and I could not find any evidence of 4th procedures.

I know that the scanning centre at Cambridge have seen cases where PSOM has disappeared in follow up scans, but until more dogs are repeatedly scanned then the data will be limited.

**Brian M** · 19th February 2012, 11:00 PM

Hi Pat

If you recall when Daisy had her MRI last August when he diagnosed SM an PSOM then a murmur ,he was concerned only
with SM and his comment PSOM seems to have no effect and is not bothering her so leave alone.

A question while you are here ,you mentioned a bit ago going from COQ 10 to Ubiquinol if so did you and what strenghth Ubiquinol .I
have kept Rosie and Lily on COQ 10 100 mg and Poppy and Daisy on Ubiquinol 50 mg .

**Nicki** · 2nd March 2012, 05:51 PM

Tommy's surgery was very successful, the exudate was very think and difficult to remove [it is very viscous mucus] but fortunately the vet persevered! The tympanic membrane [eardrum] heals over within 5-7 days, and he just had some pain relief for a few days.

Tommy's hearing returned within 24 hours, he is feeling much better, and livelier, no more scratching - and rolling over for belly rubs again! So we are delighted that we went ahead with the operation.