| The ears of cats are sensitive and delicate; as such, | | | | simply put up with the deafness instead. |
| they are prone to being damaged or infected, | | | | Diagnosing a Deaf Cat |
| sometimes leading to deafness. Cats can also be | | | | There are a number of signs you'll get that |
| deaf right from birth through a genetic defect. | | | | something is amiss with your cat's hearing. The most |
| Deafness in cats isn't terribly common of course, but | | | | obvious way is that your cat won't respond to you |
| it is more common in blue eyed, white haired cats. | | | | when you call his or her name, but since some cats |
| Cats can be deaf in one ear or in both ears and your | | | | live to ignore you, this is not the best test used to |
| cat has to be tested in order to check for deafness | | | | determine deafness. Other ways to tell if something |
| and how prevalent it is. There are two forms of | | | | is awry is if your cat is sleeping more than usual, your |
| deafness in cats: conduction and neurologic. | | | | cat not responding to a noise in another room, or |
| Conduction | | | | shaking and pawing at ears in discomfort. These are |
| Deafness through conduction is caused by things like | | | | all good indications that something is wrong with your |
| wax build up, infections and damage done to the | | | | cat's ears. |
| delicate membranes in the ears. Conduction deafness | | | | Living with a Deaf Cat |
| usually comes about if the cat's ears aren't cleaned | | | | If your cat is diagnosed with deafness, either in one |
| routinely, they come into contact with a lot of | | | | ear or both of them, then your pet's life need not be |
| bacteria, which is transferred to the ears or if your | | | | over; you just have to take special care of your |
| cat gets sick and has a lingering infection in the ears. | | | | furry friend. Make sure to carefully supervise any |
| Conduction deafness is, for the most part, | | | | outdoor excursions of your cat because the slightest |
| temporary. The best way to deal with it is to clean | | | | thing can cause injury to him or her. Also make sure |
| out the ears and apply any antibiotics needed for any | | | | to keep your cat's ears clean no matter what the |
| infections. Letting it go for too long though will result | | | | cause of deafness was because a build up of wax |
| in damage that will be more long term and | | | | and toxins will make your cat even more |
| permanent, so make sure to keep your pet's ears | | | | uncomfortable and irritated. Finally, make sure to |
| clean! | | | | apply any antibiotics as needed. |
| Neurologic | | | | Deafness in your cat need not be the end of the |
| Neurologic deafness is more serious and long term. | | | | world for your pet. In fact, it takes little more than a |
| This form of deafness is caused by damage done in | | | | lifestyle adjustment for your pet and for yourself. |
| the sensitive parts of the ear, as an example, the | | | | With some care and attention, your cat can go right |
| cochlea or abnormalities found anywhere from the | | | | back to living the life it always lived, deaf or not. As |
| ear to the brain. This form of deafness can be | | | | with anything, when you've got a chronic illness on |
| inherited and is also caused by things like toxicity or | | | | your hands, it's recommended that you maintain a |
| simple old age. Neurological deafness cannot be cured | | | | good relationship with your Vet. New therapies are |
| or reversed and though hearing aids can help, most | | | | developed all the time for pets and your Vet can |
| cats don't want anything to do with them, so they | | | | continue to advise you as your cat advances in age. |