Deaf and Blind
This is one thing that a lot of dog owners are afraid of when concerning their pooch’s future health and this is something that I worry about too with my dog Juju. Today, we will be discussing how dogs go deaf and blind and the preventative measures you can take. I hope you find this useful!
What causes blindness?
Factors such as glaucoma, cataracts, old age, diabetes, injury to the eye, progressive retinal atrophy, dry eye, retinal degeneration syndrome, and infection can all contribute to your dog developing blindness with genetics also playing a great role. What this means is that certain breeds may be more prone to becoming blind than others.
How can I tell if my dog is going blind?
A way to tell if your dog is going blind is by noticing if they are bumping into things and are becoming more clumsy than normal. Blind dogs also tend to be more easily scared, jumpy, apprehensive, confused, or anxious. Vision compromised dogs also have a higher chance of experiencing depression and end up sleeping more than usual. They can also struggle to find water, food, and toys. Other than behavioral signs, you may see a few physical signs of visual impairment such as redness around the eye and cloudy, enlarged pupils.
What Owners Can Do
Some may think that it is cruel to keep a blind dog alive, but it isn’t necessarily true. Blind dogs can do well as long as you don’t change their routine. You can also use sounds for commands instead of visual cues. If your dog has lost just some part of their vision, you can help your pooch out by giving them good lighting! For example, you could put up nightlights around the house so that your dog can feel more comfortable walking around the house. Just make sure to block the stairs!
As for preventative measures, make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise and nutrient rich food! Infections of the eye can be caused by clogged tear ducts. Signs of clogged tear ducks are the infamous brown tear stains near the corners of the dog’s eyes. You can reduce the chance of infection by using a piece of damp cotton and wipe outwards from the corners and along the lids.
What causes deafness? (Part I)
Like vision loss, deafness can be caused by congenital defects, chronic ear infections, head injuries, degenerative nerve changes, old age, ruptured eardrum, and diseases with genetics again being a factor. Something that I would like to point out is that -although we do not know why- there seems to be a link between predominantly white or "merle” coats and deafness. It is also important to note that there is temporary deafness which can be caused by blockages, mild infections, and medication side effects.
What causes deafness? (Part II)
Hearing impairment in dogs is due to damage and death of hair cells in the inner ear. These cells are crucial for hearing as they pick up sound vibrations, generate a nerve impulse, and send it to the brain to interpret. Hearing loss is gradual and degrades slowly over years. Thus, if your dog is suffering immediate hearing loss, it could be because of a blockage. If you are not sure, always make sure to consult with a veterinarian!
How can I tell if my dog is going deaf?
Dogs with significant hearing loss may become less obedient or attentive and stop responding when you call their name. They may also not react to loud noises such as doorbells. Deaf dogs -like blind dogs- are harder to wake up and become less active in their lives. Signs that hint towards your dog being deaf is if they start to bark excessively or shake and tilt their head.
It is common for dogs to suffer greater hearing loss in one ear than another at first. If you notice that your pup seems to be confused after you call them, this may be hinting towards this. This is because they are not able to pinpoint the source of the sound.
What Owners Can Do (Part I)
Just like blind dogs, deaf dogs can be easily scared and because of that, it is very important to approach them first and allow for them to adjust to your presence before petting them. You can also let people know that your pooch is deaf before letting them pet them. It is important to not forget that your dog won’t be able to hear sounds from other dogs and animals such as aggressive growling from dogs and hissing from cats. As for training, it is not impossible for your dog to no longer learn new tricks (great for bonding and enrichment!). This can be made possible by creating unique hand signals for different commands. It is also very important to let your dog know when you’re leaving the house as it can frighten them when they cannot find you. In addition, deaf dogs tend to sleep very deeply so always -for such reasons- wake them up gently to avoid startling them or you can also put a small piece of food under their nose to wake them up. Dogs love the smell of food!
What Owners Can Do (Part II)
The power of having an exercise routine for your pup and having a nutrient rich diet is really displayed in this blog as not only is it great for maintaining your pup’s vision but also their hearing! Similar to us, a great way to help protect your pups hearing is to avoid unnecessary sudden loud noises, avoid sharp or high pitched noises, and prevent exposure to loud repetitive noises. You have to protect those fragile hair cells!
As always, I hope you learned something that can be of use to you. If you would like to see a certain topic posted here in the website, feel free to contact us in the contact page!
Citations:
[1] Jeff Grognet, DVM. “When Eyes & Ears Fail: Age-Related Hearing & Vision Loss in Senior Dogs.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 12 Feb. 2020, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/age-related-hearing-and-vision-loss-in-dogs/.
[2] Medivet. “How to Tell If Your Dog Is Blind or Deaf.” Medivet.UK, Medivet, 9 Sept. 2019, https://www.medivet.co.uk/pet-care/pet-advice/blindness-deafness-in-dogs/#:~:text=Deafness%20and%20blindness%20are%20among,many%20dogs%20cope%20extraordinarily%20well.
[3] Sayers Animal Hospital. “5 Ways to Protect Your Dog's Hearing.” Sayers Animal Hospital, 4 Apr. 2018, https://sayersanimalhospital.net/customer-resources/5-ways-to-protect-your-dogs-hearing/.
[4] “Tear Stains under Dogs' Eyes: What They Mean and What You Should Do about Them.” DogTime, 15 May 2021, https://dogtime.com/dog-health/51621-tear-stains-dogs-eyes-mean#:~:text=Tear%20stains%20are%20dark%20brown,appear%20beneath%20a%20dog's%20eyes.&text=They're%20typically%20more%20visible,the%20source%20of%20the%20stains.