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Your
pet's ears don't perk up at the sound of the doorbell
anymore. Or perhaps your new dog doesn't seem to
be catching on to the voice commands you're trying
to teach him. It's not that your animal companion
is ignoring you-she may be suffering from hearing
loss.
Animal Ears & Proper Veterinary Care
If
you suspect that your pet is having trouble hearing,
ANIMED recommends that you have her examined
by a veterinarian. In some cases, the hearing loss
may be temporary, caused by a build-up of wax in
the ear canals. This can happen to cats, and is
especially common in dogs with narrow ear canals,
such as poodles. If your pet is a victim of wax
build-up, your veterinarian may prescribe a liquid
to clean the ears daily.
An
animal's ear canals can also be blocked by hair,
which collects wax and eventually forms a plug.
Cocker spaniels, terriers and other breeds with
a lot of hair around their ears are particularly
susceptible. A veterinarian can remove the offending
hair.
Animals That Are Deaf Can Adapt
If
your pet's hearing loss is permanent, special consideration
is called for. Pets are surprisingly adaptive to
total or partial hearing loss, but there are several
steps you can take to make it easier on them. First
and foremost, never let your deaf dog roam on her
own. She won't be able to hear traffic, so keep
her on a leash whenever she's outside.
If
you want your dog or cat's attention inside the
house, a partially deaf animal may be able to pick
up the vibrations of footsteps, so a loud stomp
may make her take notice. For deaf dogs, a flash
light or laser pen light can be used as an attention-getter.
To make sure she knows you're leaving the house,
a tap on your pet's shoulder works well. And remember,
a little love and understanding can make things
a lot better for your pet.
Dog Deafness & Training
You
can train your deaf dog just as you would a dog
with perfect hearing. She'll learn to respond to
hand signals instead of voice commands. When training
your deaf dog, a lure and reward system is recommended.
At first, you will lure the dog into position using
a food treat or toy. When repeated enough, that
hand movement becomes a hand signal to the dog,
and the reward can follow-or evolve into a smile
and a hug. You may want to consider working with
a private trainer who has had experience with deaf
dogs.
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