Deaf Dog Awareness Week

Deaf Dog awareness week is September 20th to 26th 2020.  

     To be honest when I am at work it can be hard to detect when a dog is deaf, especially at first. Their other senses are so good they tend to hide this ailment well.  Whether they are old or young once we do know they are hearing imparied there is this instant empathy, we all go Aw, for this new found adorableness about them! 

Side Note:  Vet Techs have this quirky sense of what is adorable and cute, if we see a one eyed cat or three legged dog we all want to take it home and love it forever!  What’s nice about those pets is that they usually already have an amazing loving home!:) 

     So how does a dog go deaf and how do we diagnose a deaf patient? 

• Deafness in dogs caused by Otitis Externa, inflammation of the external ear canal. Chronic ear infections, especially when untreated, leads to thickening and inflammation possible impaction of buildup causing deafness.  This condition can be treated and hearing can return when the condition is resolved.  
• A ruptured eardrum can cause loss/deafness but usually reverses when the eardrum heals.  I have seen patients that have ruptured their eardrum on a flight due to altitude changes. 
• Degeneration of the cochlea in aged dogs is the most common cause of acquired deafness.  The Cochlea is the spiral cavity of the inner ear containing the organ of Corti, which produces nerve impulses in response to sound vibrations
• Loud noises i.e. gunshots can lead to permanent damage / trauma to the hard portion of the temporal bone that surrounds the inner ear, loud noises causing permanent deafness. 
• Certain medications and medicated ear drops can cause deafness especially when the eardrum is ruptured.   Side Note: When working with ear conditions in dogs and cats it is important for the Dr. to be able to visualize the tympanic membrane ( ear drum) with an instrument called an otoscope.  This enables us to use rinses and medications safe for the condition at hand.  
• Certain breeds / coat pigmantation are prone to congenital deafness.  Merle and white hair colors are correlated with deafness in dogs.  Breeds commonly affected are

*Dalmatian

*Bull Terrier

*Australian Heeler

*Catahoula

*Boston Terrier

*English Cocker Spaniel

To name a few. 

• For Felines 

 Pure Cat Breeds carrying the white coat pigment gene 

 *White

*White Scottish Fold

*European White

*Foreign White

*Norwegian Forest Cats

*Ragdoll

     How do we diagnose pets with hearing issues: 

Deafness is diagnosed by the failure to respond to sound, i.e. a sleeping dog unable to awaken from noise.  Other signs include excessive barking, unusual voice, confusion when given vocal commands, and lack of ear movement. 

Diagnosis of deafness involves careful observation of the animal’s response to sound.  With a complete history from the Owner and the Dr.s exam a diagnosis can be made. 

     Owning and or adopting a deaf dog is noble yet a challenging act, these kids need extra patience, training and looking after.  They are unable to hear danger sounds i.e. traffic or owners’ warning / command.  They are definitely trainable and obviously lovable!  

Thanks For Reading 

Heidi Parker