Deafness in dogs

Do you know much about deafness in dogs? Think your dog is deaf? Deafness in dogs can actually be quite common, hearing loss can be caused by congenital defects; old age; infections within the inner and outer ear, wax build up and head injury. Objects in ears have also been found to be the cause of deafness!

If your dog has become, relatively quickly, hard of hearing just lately, check that there is nothing actually blocking the ear canal. You really would be surprised at what can get in there. Tumours can also cause deafness in dogs, as can certain poisons and chemicals. Some antibiotics can damage the vestibular and auditory nerves within the dog's ear, causing a condition known as Labyrinthitis. So it's important to get your dog along to the Vets, if you feel there is a problem, sooner, rather than later, always being best.

Congenital deafness in dogs develops whilst the dog is still in the womb. Deafness in dogs will not be evident until the puppy is almost two weeks old; certain breeds are more prone to deafness than others. Congenital deafness has even been linked with the colour of the coat.

Breeds like Dalmatians, with white coats, being more at risk, although more than thirty different breeds are considered to be at high risk of Sensory Neural Deafness. If you have a breeding dog it should, most definitely, be tested, any animal with congenital deafness problems should not be used for breeding. There are enough problems with congenital deafness in dogs, without breeding more.

Deafness in dogs can be bilateral or unilateral. Unilateral deafness (one ear) is the more difficult condition to recognize, you will need a vet, with the equipment for testing, to carry out a proper diagnosis.

Senile deafness in dogs usually develops at around ten years, it will be progressive, and there's little to be done. Most dogs will still maintain the ability to hear high pitched noises. There are signs that will indicate they may be suffering from loss of hearing. Obviously, they may not respond to commands, or only respond when they can see you. But they will also sleep more, not waking up until they're touched. They will also shake their head, or claw at their ears. Deafness in dogs is not 'unheard' of, so make sure you keep your eye on things.