Q: I’ve a 40 or so pound short-legged mutt, wholesome and fairly lively for his total life that’s now about 12 years previous. He seems to have gone from practical listening to to fully deaf within the final six to 12 months. No trauma, no obvious sickness, no rock band observe classes at dwelling. Does that sound odd? It appeared to return on in a short time, nevertheless it happens to me that situations could seem to advance extra quickly in animals with a lot shorter life spans than us people. The humorous factor is that he’s all the time had selective listening to — he may previously hear “cookie” from half a mile away, however “come” hardly ever registered at any vary. Is it honest to imagine that older canine or animals can lose their listening to identical to people? Other than his listening to loss, he appears to be in fine condition and nonetheless appears to take pleasure in his life with a superb urge for food and common walks. He is nearly due for his annual go to to the vet, and I ponder if there’s any testing that may be accomplished or is it even mandatory at this level? I assume getting previous isn’t any picnic for any species.
A: It doesn’t sound odd in any respect. Just as in people, older canine can have listening to losses that may be gradual, and even acute. There are many potential causes for listening to loss in canine. In previous canine, that is normally attributed to naturally occurring degeneration of nervous tissue within the ear or the listening to middle within the mind. Some breeds are extra susceptible than others to listening to points and Dalmatians traditionally have had listening to issues. All species can develop listening to loss related to ageing and your canine and we aren’t any completely different. Your thought that it advances extra quickly in these species with shorter life spans than people shouldn’t be essentially right. Older canine typically additionally develop selective listening to identical to previous timers may. Jokes abound with respect to selective listening to, however true listening to loss isn’t any joke.
In the absence of scent or discharge from the ear, there’s in all probability no extra severe challenge happening apart from previous age listening to loss, however I might nonetheless have an intensive examination accomplished to make sure there’s nothing systemic happening or one thing that may be addressed, nevertheless it sounds unlikely. As for testing, some veterinary specialty hospitals could possibly provide the BAER take a look at to find out with certainty as to your canine’s listening to loss however restoring the listening to is unlikely anyhow. You ought to contemplate retraining your canine with hand indicators to maintain him secure and to attain the responses it’s your decision. Getting previous isn’t any picnic however you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in your canine!
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He will be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”