In its first few weeks of life, a puppy’s ear canals have no opening. While this is a part of the normal growing process, during this time the pup is virtually deaf. About the time it turns 11 days old, the pup should be observed to respond to sounds. Noises such as clapping, whistles, or calling its name should cause the animal to turn and tilt its head, or even quiet its crying. If it doesn’t respond, the pup could be deaf.

The above is information most dog clients do not know. Giving your pet clients the tools to help their animal stay healthy and happy will bring them back to your practice again and again.

Below is information to give to owners of pregnant dogs or owners of newly adopted dogs:

Causes of Deafness

In order for a dog to hear, it must be able to pick up and interpret sound. When a loss of hearing is indicated, the cause can be either congenital or age-related.

Found in dogs of all breeds, deafness may be caused by:

• Genetics
• Middle and inner ear infections
• Head injuries
• Blockages in the ear canals
• Tumors of the middle ear
• Drugs, including antibiotics, usually given to the mother when pregnant.

Congenital Deafness

Clients of deaf animals may not be aware of the following information on congenital deafness:

• Caused by developmental defects within the ear
• Present from birth
• May remain unnoticed until the pup is about 11 days old when littermates respond to sounds and noises and it does not
• Congenital deafness may involve only one or both ears, and, if only one, the deafness may go unnoticed

Looking at a dog’s coat may indicate a hereditary connection to deafness. The most common cause of hereditary deafness is connected to the pigmentation genes that determine the color of its coat. The following coat colors may indicate a predisposition to congenital deafness, and these animals should be watched for signs of deafness:

• Merle
• Spotted
• Dappled
• White fur or skin.

Five of the breeds most commonly affected by congenital deafness include:

• Dalmatian
• Collie
• Harlequin Great Dane
• Old English Sheepdog
• Bull Terriers.

The symptoms of congenital deafness may be observed within a few weeks after birth, and often include:

• Aggressive play
• Ignoring squeaky toys
• Lack of response to noises, such as doorbells and whistles
• Startled response, such as jumping or biting, when touched or wakened.

Inform clients that not all white, spotted, dappled, or merle coated dogs will be deaf, and that those with pigmented cells within their inner ears typically hear normally.

Age-Related Deafness

About the time a dog reaches 10 years of age, a gradual deafness may begin to develop. While many retain some ability to hear the higher-pitched and high frequency sounds, others may lose their hearing altogether.

As a senior dog’s hearing loss progresses, the animal’s behaviors may change. For instance, the dog may:

• Become less active
• Move slowly
• Sleep deeper, become difficult to wake
• Startle easily
• Fail to follow commands
• Appear confused and disoriented
• Vocalize unusually.

When age-related hearing loss occurs, advise clients to always be careful to get the animal’s attention before coming upon them as a startled dog may respond with a bite. One method that attracts the attention of a deaf animal is to create vibrations by walking or pounding on the floor. 

Remind your clients that deaf dogs make wonderful pets! As with any dog, they thrive when trained and treated with love and patience. 

https://www.vetary.com/dog/condition/congenital-deafness

Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, 4^th ed., D.M. Eldredge, L.D. Carlson, D.G. Carlson, J.M. Giffin