Deaf animal

Last updated

Some strains of animals, such as white cats, have a tendency to congenital deafness. [1] Some known chemicals and elements can also affect deafness in animals. [2]

Contents

Deafness can occur in almost any breed of cat or dog. This includes both pure-breed and mixed-breed animals, although there may be more prevalence in some specific breeds. [3]

"The association between patterns of pigmentation and deafness in the dog has a long-documented history, with reports dating back over one hundred years. Long suspected of having a genetic basis, the search for loci with a pronounced influence in the expression of hearing loss in the dog has yet to be successful." [4]

Deafness in animals can occur as either unilateral (one ear affected) or bilateral (both ears affected). This occurrence of either type of deafness seems to be relatively the same in both mixed-breed animals and pure-breed animals. [5]

Research has found a significant association between deafness in dogs and the pigment genes piebald and merle. Although merle dogs seem to have higher occurrences of both deafnesses than some other breeds, this research also showed that they had lower occurrences than others. So still there is more to be known about the causes of deafness in animals such as dogs. [6]

Common misconceptions may lead potential owners to believe that deaf dogs may be more likely to have an unpleasant disposition, or that the condition implies other brain abnormalities. Many people have successfully raised and trained deaf animals. Teaching a deaf dog may present unusual challenges, but inventiveness can overcome many of them. For example, when on a walk with a deaf dog, a laser pointer could be used to attract the animal's attention. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exotic Shorthair</span> Breed of cat

The Exotic Shorthair is a breed of cat developed as a short-haired version of the Persian. The Exotic is similar to the Persian in many ways, including temperament and conformation, a flat nose and face with the exceptions of the short dense coat. The Exotic breed generally live to 12–15 years of age. The second longest living Exotic Shorthair known is from Sydney, Australia and is currently 17 years 1 month as of October 2023. Coco, the longest living Exotic Shorthair lived in Portland, Oregon. Coco was born June 1, 2004 and died on November 10, 2023; she lived 19 years 5 months and 9 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Dane</span> Dog breed

The Great Dane is a large-sized dog breed originating from Germany. The Great Dane descends from hunting dogs from the Middle Ages used to hunt bear, wild boar, and deer. They were also used as guardians of German nobility. It is one of the two largest (tallest) dog breeds in the world, along with the Irish Wolfhound. However, other breeds like the St. Bernard or English Mastiff are often heavier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border Collie</span> Working dog breed

The Border Collie is a British breed of herding dog of the collie type of medium size. It originates in the region of the Anglo-Scottish border, and descends from the traditional sheepdogs once found all over the British Isles. It is kept mostly as a working sheep-herding dog or as a companion animal. It competes with success in sheepdog trials. It has been claimed that it is the "most intelligent" breed of dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shetland Sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog that originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. It was formally recognized by The Kennel Club in 1909. It was originally called the Shetland Collie, but this caused controversy amongst Rough Collie breeders of the time, so the name was changed. It is a small dog, clever, vocal, willing to please and trustworthy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boxer (dog)</span> Dog breed

The Boxer is a medium to large, short-haired dog breed of mastiff-type, developed in Germany. The coat is smooth and tight-fitting; colors are fawn, brindled, or white, with or without white markings. Boxers are brachycephalic, have a square muzzle, mandibular prognathism, very strong jaws, and a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to large prey. The Boxer was bred from the Old English Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser, which became extinct by crossbreeding rather than by a decadence of the breed. The Boxer is a member of both The Kennel Club and American Kennel Club (AKC) Working Group.

Neutering, from the Latin neuter, is the removal of a non-human animal's reproductive organ, either all of it or a considerably large part. The male-specific term is castration, while spaying is usually reserved for female animals. Colloquially, both terms are often referred to as fixing. In male horses, castrating is referred to as gelding. An animal that has not been neutered is sometimes referred to as entire or intact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luxating patella</span> Medical condition

A luxating patella, sometimes called a trick knee, is a condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. It can be associated with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merle (dog coat)</span> Genetic pattern in a dogs coat

Merle is a genetic pattern in a dog's coat and alleles of the PMEL gene. It results in different colors and patterns and can affect any coats. The allele creates mottled patches of color in a solid or piebald coat, blue or odd-colored eyes, and can affect skin pigment as well. Two types of colored patches generally appear in a merle coat: brown/liver and black. Associated breeds include Carea Leonés, Australian Shepherds and Catahoula Leopard Dogs. Health issues are more typical and more severe when two merle-patterned dogs are bred together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dog health</span> Health of dogs

The health of dogs is a well studied area in veterinary medicine.

Cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) is a neurological condition in which the cerebellum is smaller than usual or not completely developed. It has been reported in many animal species.

Congenital vertebral anomalies are a collection of malformations of the spine. Most, around 85%, are not clinically significant, but they can cause compression of the spinal cord by deforming the vertebral canal or causing instability. This condition occurs in the womb. Congenital vertebral anomalies include alterations of the shape and number of vertebrae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral head ostectomy</span> Surgical removal of the head and neck of the femur

A femoral head ostectomy is a surgical operation to remove the head and neck from the femur. It is performed to alleviate pain, and is a salvage procedure, reserved for condition where pain can not be alleviated in any other way. It is common in veterinary surgery. Other names are excision arthroplasty of the femoral head and neck, Girdlestone's operation, Girdlestone procedure, and femoral head and neck ostectomy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stenotic nares</span> Narrowing of the nostrils in animals

Stenotic nares means the nares (nostrils) are pinched or narrow, making it more difficult for an animal to breathe, and resulting in a lot of open-mouth breathing and panting. The condition is part of the brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome syndrome common to short-nosed dog and cat breeds. Dog breeds commonly affected by stenotic nares include Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Pug, and Shih Tzu. Stenotic nares is a congenital trait, meaning an animal is born with it. Veterinarians can perform a simple surgery to help widen the nares, which can be done at the same time as a spay or neuter surgery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cancer in dogs</span>

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs. It is estimated that 1 in 3 domestic dogs will develop cancer, which is the same incidence of cancer among humans. Dogs can develop a variety of cancers and most are very similar to those found in humans. Dogs can develop carcinomas of epithelial cells and organs, sarcomas of connective tissues and bones, and lymphomas or leukemias of the circulatory system. Selective breeding of dogs has led certain pure-bred breeds to be at high-risk for specific kinds of cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat genetics</span> Study of inheritance in domestic cats

Cat genetics describes the study of inheritance as it occurs in domestic cats. In feline husbandry it can predict established traits (phenotypes) of the offspring of particular crosses. In medical genetics, cat models are occasionally used to discover the function of homologous human disease genes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dalmatian (dog)</span> Dog breed

The Dalmatian is a breed of dog, which has a white coat marked with black or brown-coloured spots. Originating as a hunting dog, it was also used as a carriage dog in its early days. The origins of this breed can be traced back to present-day Croatia and its historical region of Dalmatia. It is thought that early ancestors of the breed were certain breeds of pointers and a spotted Great Dane. Today, it is a popular pet and many enthusiasts enter Dalmatians into kennel club competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congenital sensorineural deafness in cats</span> High rates of congenital deafness in white cats with light-coloured eyes

Congenital sensorineural deafness occurs commonly in domestic cats with a white coat. It is a congenital deafness caused by a degeneration of the inner ear. Deafness is far more common in white cats than in those with other coat colours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chihuahua (dog)</span> Mexican breed of dog

The Chihuahua is a Mexican breed of toy dog. It is named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua and is among the smallest of all dog breeds. It is usually kept as a companion animal or for showing.

Congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) is a hereditary condition in dogs and cats, its frequency varying depending on the breed. The shunts found mainly in small dog breeds such as Shih Tzus, Tibetan Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers, and in cats such as Persians, British Shorthairs, Himalayans, and mixed breeds are usually extrahepatic, while the shunts found in large dog breeds such as Irish Wolfhounds and Labrador Retrievers tend to be intrahepatic.

References

  1. Suga, F; Hattler, K. W. (1970). "Physiological and histopathological correlates of hereditary deafness in animals". The Laryngoscope. 80 (1): 81–104. doi:10.1288/00005537-197001000-00007. PMID   5411826. S2CID   38837197.
  2. Nakai, Yoshiaki; Nakai, Sumiko (1971). "Ototoxic effect of nitromin and some congenital deaf animal cochlea. An electron microscopical study". Archiv für Klinische und Experimentelle Ohren- Nasen- und Kehlkopfheilkunde. 198 (3): 325–38. doi:10.1007/BF00316933. PMID   4255010. S2CID   6367897.
  3. Strain, G. M. (2010, October 5). DEAFNESS IN DOGS & CATS [Reference Site]. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from Louisiana State University website: http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/deaf.htm
  4. Famula, Thomas R; Cargill, Edward J; Strain, George M (2007). "Heritability and complex segregation analysis of deafness in Jack Russell Terriers". BMC Veterinary Research. 3: 31. doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-3-31 . PMC   2194672 . PMID   17999773.
  5. Cvejic, D; Steinberg, T. A.; Kent, M. S.; Fischer, A (2009). "Unilateral and bilateral congenital sensorineural deafness in client-owned pure-breed white cats". Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 23 (2): 392–5. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0262.x . PMID   19192155.
  6. Strain, G. M.; Clark, L. A.; Wahl, J. M.; Turner, A. E.; Murphy, K. E. (2009). "Prevalence of deafness in dogs heterozygous or homozygous for the merle allele". Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 23 (2): 282–6. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.693.7956 . doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0257.x. PMID   19192156.
  7. Wilkes, Gary. "Why the Deaf Dog Barks" . Retrieved 2008-12-31.

Further reading