Deaf Dog Awareness

September is officially Deaf Dog Awareness Month, but this is something we are interested in promoting all year. According to the AKC website, around 5% to 10% of our canine companions are deaf. That means there are a lot of puppies out there whose adorable ears don’t operate properly! Continue reading to learn more about canine deafness in this article from Hassayampa Veterinary Services, your Wickenburg, AZ animal clinic, serving Wickenburg and the surrounding communities.

What Are The Indicators That A Dog Is Deaf?

Fido can’t tell you if his cute ears aren’t working so well, but there are several telltale signs to look for.

Ignoring Commands: One telltale sign would be if your pup suddenly stops paying attention to you. If Fido had previously been very competent at obeying spoken directions but now ignores you when you order him to Sit, Stay, or Lay Down, it is possible that he is unable to hear you.

Being Jumpy/Cranky: Almost all vision- and hearing-challenged dogs dread being startled. Fido may become irritated if you approach him from behind. He may appear surprised, turn around, or possibly even snap at you.

Increased Barking: You may find that your canine companion now barks more than he used to. Fido may also increase his volume slightly, as he may be having difficulty hearing himself.

Missing Noises: Fido’s beautiful ears are usually fairly sharp. The ordinary dog can hear much better than we can. People, for example, cannot hear noises at frequencies higher than 20k Hz. Fido, on the other paw, can detect noises between 47k and 65k Hz. Dogs can also detect quieter noises than humans, ranging from 3k to 12k. Your canine companion could hear things at -15dB, which is significantly lower than what our ears would detect.

All that being said, if your dog isn’t responding to noises as well as he used to, there could be an issue. Your pet’s hearing may appear to improve and worsen at times, but keep in mind that some noises generate vibrations. If something falls off a shelf, your dog may still leap, but the impact vibration may shock him, so he may be reacting to the thump more than the sound. One thing to look for would be if Fido doesn’t respond when you trigger your pet’s noisy toy. Of course, if he ignores the sound of a cheese wrapper opening, that’s a clear red flag!

Increased Sleep: Just like people, our canine friends tend to sleep more when they are depressed or not feeling well. Ear problems can cause both.

Shaking/Tilting Head: You may also notice your dog shaking his head or tilting it. He may also claw at his ears or rub his head on objects, including you, and might not want his ears or head touched. These things are often indications of ear infections.

While infections are not the main cause of hearing loss, they are certainly a potential. You might notice that your pet’s ears feel heated. Infection can also be indicated by a foul odor, as well as discharge that appears green, red, yellow, brown, or black.

What Should I Do If I Think Fido May Be Deaf?

If you know or believe that your dog is going deaf or possibly already has lost some or all of his hearing, schedule an appointment with your Wickenburg, AZ veterinarian to have Fido tested. In the interim, you may try him out at home. Wait till he wakes up and then stand behind him. Set off a noisemaker, such as a squeaky toy or an alarm.

This is, of course, an extremely rough test. For an official diagnosis, your veterinarian would need to conduct additional tests, such as Baer testing.

Is Deafness Reversible?

That will depend on the puppy and the reason for the hearing loss. Some conditions, such as infections, may be treatable. In some circumstances, wax buildup might result in temporary deafness. However, in most cases, the condition is permanent. More often than not, it’s a one-way street.

What Causes Deafness In Dogs?

Deafness can result from a variety of conditions. Sometimes, the illness is inherited, which means it was triggered by something in Fido’s genetic composition. Cochleosaccular deafness is a prevalent underlying cause of hereditary hearing loss. This form of deafness is more common in puppies with piebald, merle, or white coats and blue eyes. This isn’t a coincidence: there is a genetic link between those coat colors and hearing and vision loss.

Then there’s neuroepithelial deafness, which is caused by the loss (or absence) of cochlear hair cells. As the name implies, these are hairs that develop in the ear. This sort of deafness is frequently detectable in puppies rather early on.

Age, of course, is another consideration. It is not uncommon for puppies to lose their hearing as they become older.

Other typical causes of canine hearing loss include the following:

• Infections
• Injuries
• Drugs
• Tumors
• Brain Lesions
• Endocrine Diseases

Caring for a Deaf Dog

What if your dog is deaf? There is some good news here, however. In many ways, caring for a deaf dog is similar to caring for any other puppy. You will just need to make a few changes to Fido’s care regimen.

Here are some suggestions:

Training: Our canine companions are highly intelligent and can learn to listen to hand gestures rather than voice directions. You may need to hire a professional trainer, but the investment will be well worth it in the long run. You may also want to teach Fido to come when you wave a flashlight.

Safety: Because your dog will be unable to hear things like automobile horns, you must exercise extreme caution with him. If you have a yard, ensure the fencing is robust. In that regard, a self-latching gate is the ideal option.

You’ll also need to be cautious when strolling with your canine companion. You may want to utilize a double leash on Fido’s harness for added security.

Don’t Spook Him: As already stated, many deaf dogs dislike being crept up on. Stamp your foot before approaching your dog, so he knows you’re there. If you need to wake Fido up, try placing a treat under his nose. Everyone enjoys breakfast in bed: dogs included!

This is something that is especially crucial to instill in youngsters and visitors. If you happen to have guests coming over, let them know in advance that your furry companion can’t hear, and that they should not surprise him or approach quietly.

Tracking: You might want to attach a little bell to your dog’s collar. This will allow you to keep track of his whereabouts because he won’t hear you calling him. A light-up collar or leash can also be useful at night. We would also suggest looking into GPS tags.

Your Wickenburg, AZ veterinarian will be able to provide additional information and tips on caring for your canine companion.

Make An Appointment At Our Wickenburg, AZ Animal Clinic

Do you have any queries about hearing loss in dogs? Do you know or think that your dog has ear issues? Please feel free to contact us at any time. Wickenburg and the surrounding communities we’re here to help!