Deaf Dog Awareness Month is September. This topic is obviously crucial all year long and is most certainly a cause we are always glad to highlight. Information on the AKC website indicates that dogs have between five and ten percent deafness rates. That means many dogs out there have adorable ears that don’t work as they should! Continue reading as a local Southwest Las Vegas, NV veterinarian provides some understanding of deafness in dogs.
What Are the Telltale Signs of a Deaf Dog?
Though Fido cannot tell you whether his cute ears are not performing as they should, there are clearly some hints to look for.
Not Responding To Sounds: Fido might not be hearing you if he has always been quite good about following vocal orders, but suddenly ignores you when you tell him to Sit, Stay, or Lay Down.
Grouchiness: One pet peeve almost all vision and hearing-impaired dogs have is a hatred of being surprised. If you sneak up on Fido from behind, he probably isn’t going to be very happy about it. He might jump, turn, or even snap.
Barking: Your pet may be barking more than he used to another thing you could notice. Fido might also show some slight volume increase since he could be struggling to hear himself.
Sleeping More: Dogs, like people, can sleep more if they are depressed or just not feeling good. Hearing loss can cause both of those emotional states.
Signs of Infections: Though there are other causes of hearing loss, infections are most certainly one. Infections can make your pup’s ears feel hot. He might also paw at his ears or rub his head against objects—including you. Additionally, infection can be indicated by foul odor; discharge that appears green, red, yellow, brown, or even black. Fido might also not want his head or ears touched.
Missing Noises: Fido usually has really keen ears. Generally speaking, the average canine can hear far better than humans can. People cannot, for instance, hear sounds above 20,000 Hz. On the other paw, Fido can hear sounds ranging in frequency from 47k to 65k Hz. Dogs can also catch much quieter sounds than what humans can hear between 3,000 and 12,000. Your dog friend may hear things as -15dB, far softer than what our ears would detect.
All stated, there could be something wrong if your dog is not responding to noises like he formerly did. Though occasionally this may seem to become better and worse, keep in mind some noises can create vibrations. If something falls off a shelf, your dog might still jump; but, it may have been the impact vibration rather than the sound that shocked him. If your pooch doesn’t respond when you set off his squeaky toy, it’s a bit more telling. If he ignores the sound of a cheese wrapper opening, there’s definitely something up!
If you observe any of these problems, immediately get in touch with your Southwest Las Vegas, NV veterinarian.
What If My Dog Is Deaf?
You should schedule a visit with your veterinarian to have Fido tested if you know or believe your dog has lost his hearing. You can test him somewhat at home in the interim. Wait just till he wakes up and stand behind him. Start something that will create noise—a squeaky toy, an alarm, something like that.
Naturally, this is a somewhat crude test. Your veterinarian would have to do more tests, including Baer tests, for official diagnosis.
Is Deafness Temporary?
That will rely on the pup as well as the source of the hearing loss. Sometimes temporary deafness results from causes like wax accumulation. Still, most often than not the disorder is permanent.
What Causes Dog Deafness?
There are several reasons one might be deaf. Often this is brought on by something in Fido’s genetic composition. Cohleosaccular deafness is one common cause of hereditary deafness. Pups with piebald, merle, white coats and/or blue eyes are especially likely to experience this kind of deafness. Then there is neuroepithelial deafness, which is brought on by a loss—or absence—of cochlear hair cells. These are, as their name suggests, hairs found in the ears. Usually, this kind of deafness in puppies is first obvious somewhat early on.
Breed can also play a role. Dalmatians are one of the breeds most likely to have hearing loss. Other pups that may have problems with their ears include the Akida, Old English Sheepdog, Papillon, Doberman, Pekingese, American Eskimo Dog, Chow Chow, English Setter, and Pit Bull, to name just a few.
Of course, another consideration is age. Puppy hearing loss is not unusual as they become older. Fido’s chances of having hearing issues go up over time.
Other often occurring causes of canine deafness consist of the following:
- Infections
- Accidents
- Drugs
- Cancerous tumors
- Brain defects
- Endocrine diseases
Caring For Fido
Suppose your dog is deaf. Sometimes, like with infections, there could be remedies available. Still, most pooches find it a one-way path. Still, there is some quite welcome news here. Taking care of a deaf dog is in many respects just like taking care of any other dog. You simply wish to change Fido’s daily care schedule somewhat.
Here are some basics:
Training: Dogs are fairly clever and can learn to answer hand signals instead of spoken commands. Of course, you might have to hire a professional trainer, but this will be worthwhile in the long run. You could also want Fido to come when you wave a flashlight.
Safety: Since Fido won’t be able to hear things like traffic horns, you’ll need to be super careful when walking him. If you have a yard, make sure your fence is quite sturdy. We recommend a self-latching gate as well.
Walking Fido also calls for great caution. You could wish to place a double leash on Fido’s harness for extra security. Don’t let him get ahead of you when crossing driveways or intersections.
Noting above, many deaf dogs detest being crept up on. Stamp your foot to let your dog know you’re there. Try offering Fido a treat under his nose to wake him. Man’s Best Friend loves breakfast in bed.
Children and visitors should be informed about this. Tell those visiting ahead of time that your furry friend cannot hear, then advise them not to surprise him or approach gently.
Gear: Your dog might want a small bell on its collar. He won’t hear you calling him, hence this will assist you track his location. Likewise at night, a light-up collar is not a bad thing to have. In fact, you may want to go a step further and get your pooch some GPS tags. These are wonderful new devices, and can be a lifesaver if your pet were to escape.
Your Southwest Las Vegas, NV veterinarian will be able to provide further guidance and ideas on looking after your furry bestie.
Set Up An Appointment At Our Southwest Las Vegas, NV Animal Clinic
Do you have questions concerning dog hearing loss? Do you suspect or know your dog friend has problems with his ears? Please get in touch with us whenever you want. Here at your Southwest Las Vegas, NV pet hospital, we are here to assist!
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