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Question
I have a 16 week old Dogue de Bordeaux puppy who is very
unresponsive to our calls and doesn't even look at us when we call
her. I am wondering if she is deaf? And I am wondering if there
are any home techniques I could try to see if she is deaf or should
I just take her to the vets for them to investigate?
Elaina Letford - Stirling |
Answering questions:
Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS from
Vet
Help Direct |
| Answer |
Hi
Elaina,
Some
puppies are, sadly, born deaf. This is known as congenital deafness.
Congenital deafness has not, however, as far as I can discover and
certainly not in my experience, been reported in the Dogue de Bordeaux.
The problem is classically found in Dalmations, dogs that have a
‘merle coat’ for example some Border Collies and Old
English Sheepdogs and in dogs with white coats including some Boxers
and English Bull Terriers, a variety of other breeds can also be
affected.
Puppy’s
ear canals open at approximately two weeks of age, but even before
this time they should be able to hear loud noises. At 16 weeks your
puppy should certainly be able to hear normally.
It
can be difficult to tell if your dog can hear noises or is simply
a bit laid back. Equally some deaf dogs can appear as though they
can hear as they sense vibrations and can be very observant.
To
test your puppy’s hearing stay in one room with your puppy,
next door, obviously within ear shot, get somebody to make a loud,
sudden noise such as banging saucepans together or clapping loudly.
Watch your puppy closely for any signs that she has heard the noise;
do her ears prick up? Does she look around? If she is quite excitable
and difficult to assess, try making the noise while she is sleeping.
A puppy with normal hearing will be roused from her sleep by a loud
sudden noise.
If
she does not seem to be responding normally when you test her, or,
if you are in any doubt at all you should take her to the vets.
They may try similar techniques but will have a lot of experience
of what is a normal response. If they also are unsure about her
level of hearing they will be able to check down her ears for obstructions
or wax and may even consider referring her for specialist hearing
tests.
I
do hope her hearing turns out to be normal.
Kind regards,
Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS www.vethelpdirect.com
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