| Though deafness in dogs and cats is not a dangerous | | | | deafness than other breeds. Cats that inherit white |
| condition, early detection and proper treatment is | | | | coat genes and blue iris genes are predisposed to |
| absolutely necessary for the well being of your pets. | | | | deafness and similarly, dogs that inherit the merle |
| In most cases the first sign of deafness is when | | | | coat gene are at higher risk. |
| pets stop responding to commands or loud noises. | | | | Hearing loss can also be unilateral or bilateral when it |
| The progress of deafness in dogs is usually slow. | | | | occurs in one or both ears respectively. Unilateral or |
| Moreover dogs try to compensate the hearing loss | | | | partial deafness is hard to detect in pets without the |
| with their other sharp senses which is the reason | | | | help of specialized diagnostic equipments. Usually, |
| why most pet owners fail to detect their pet's | | | | deafness in dogs and cats can be confirmed only |
| deafness in time. | | | | with their response to commands or other sounds. |
| Dogs in the early stages of deafness are confused | | | | Consult your vet immediately for a complete ear and |
| or unsure of the commands and as the deafness | | | | neurologic examination if you think that your pet is |
| progresses they slowly stop responding to | | | | having hearing problems. |
| commands altogether. Some of the other symptoms | | | | Other diagnostic procedures include the BAER Test |
| are sleeping for prolonged periods, waking only when | | | | or Brainstorm Auditory Evoked Response Test that |
| touched physically, responding only to commands that | | | | employs electrodes to determine the neuro-electrical |
| are given when they can see you, continuous shaking | | | | activities in the brain that are associated with hearing. |
| of their head and pawing at their ears. | | | | Treatment for deafness will depend on the outcome |
| There are two types of deafness in pets: conductive | | | | of the physical and other diagnostic tests. For pets |
| and sensorineural. Conductive deafness is caused | | | | suffering from conduction deafness the problem can |
| mostly due to some abnormalities in the outer ear, | | | | be easily solved by cleaning which must be done only |
| middle ear, ear canal or the eardrum. This type of | | | | by professionals. If deafness is due to ear infections |
| deafness can also be caused by excessive build up of | | | | then your vet might prescribe antibiotics. For |
| ear wax or severe ear infections. Conductive | | | | sensorineural type of deafness treatment options |
| deafness usually causes only partial hearing loss in | | | | include medications and surgical procedures. While |
| pets and can be solved by medical or surgical | | | | hearing aids can also be used to solve deafness in |
| treatments. | | | | pets, most pets are not comfortable with them. |
| The sensorineural type most often results in total | | | | Home care is an important part of treatment of |
| hearing loss and involves the inner ear of pets and is | | | | deafness in pets. Make sure that the prescribed |
| caused due to abnormalities in the nerves present in | | | | medications are given in a timely and appropriate |
| the inner ear or in the brain. | | | | manner. If the problem is irreversible then it is very |
| Deafness in pets can also be hereditary in nature. | | | | important to teach your pet the necessary skills that |
| Certain breeds like Dalmatians, border coolies and | | | | it requires to be safe. |
| Boston terriers are more prone to hereditary | | | | |