Jan 22, 2016
One of the girls has gone deaf
Sadly it is Carmeh. Poor thing, she is just recovering from her back problems and now this. We first noticed it New Years Eve when she did not react to the loud firecrackers going off in the area. She is was so afraid of thunder and other loud noises that she used to hide between the back of the toilet and the wall.
Now she can’t hear.
She never relaxed or rested much during the day as she was always following us about, in and out, just everywhere. Now if she is asleep she has no idea that we have even left the RV. Carmeh no longer responds when we call her nor to the squeak of toy. Each day it has gotten worse and now when we call her name loudly she does not respond. She has a a look of confusion on her face. I think she is wondering why she can no longer hear our voices.
It hurts me to see her like this.
Colin says that he is sure that she is alright but how does one really know? We spoke to our vet who explained that deafness can come upon a dog very suddenly and after a few weeks the dog seems to adapt. I even called Sandie from Where are the Dixons Today for advice as one of her doxie’s also went deaf recently. She told me that Scooter has adapted very well. I wish I could understand what a dog is feeling and thinking 🙁
We have always used hand signals on the beach to make the girls come to us from a distance which is a very good thing.
The one thing we can’t figure out is how to tell Carmeh to let something alone. For instance if one of the girls picks up something in her mouth on the beach that we don’t know what it is we shout in a loud voice “OFF” and she will drop it immediately. It is a command that has come in very useful over the years, most especially is they have destuffed a toy and are eating the fuzz.
Sometimes we think that she can hear us but then a moment later when we call her name she does not respond. So did she really respond to us or was it just a reaction to a movement we made? I find myself constantly watching her and trying to analyse what she is thinking, how she is doing and whatever is she feeling and thinking. I covered my ears with my hands and decided I would be just lost being deaf. Of course I am putting human emotions onto a dog. I have noticed that if I call Caeli to come, then Carmeh will follow behind Caeli. Hopefully over time Caeli will be a help to Carmeh.
They are such a sweet team.
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Oh dear.. sadness… but they can get along without hearing and I think get used to/adapt like Sandi said.. My dog prior to Luci went deaf.. I noticed at 4th of July, she had always been terrified of bangs, snaps of the fire, thunder.. it was so upsetting, she would be hysterical and I could not soothe her at all. Of a sudden she was calm and never noticed these things. She was never out of my sight tho or away from me any distance, always, always on a leash as she was so scatterbrained and willy nilly that she needed constant watch, so her not hearing or getting away from was never a problem, she was quizzical tho, would look at me like why aren’t you talking to me? But I continued to hold and caress and talk, she knew what I was saying, maybe the timbre of my voice and vibrations?? I don’t know. And you are so very sympathetic to them, I am sure they know and feel and the communication is still there.. Take Care and God Bless, we are thinking of you here in Redmond and wish you all the very, very best…..
Willy doesn’t hear well either so you just have to catch his attention. They do adjust to it and you will too but it does take a little extra vigilance on your part to keep them out of trouble.
Being deaf is not fun but they can adapt I hope. As humans we can get hearing aides but I do rely on lip reading, hand jestures, and body movements. I am sure she will adapt. Good luck.
Our 16-year-old rescue Bailey started losing her hearing a few years back; with her, it came on gradually rather than all at once. She seems to have adjusted — I just never let her out of my sight since she can’t hear when I call anymore. At her age, she mostly sleeps! Her seeming-confusion bothers me more than anything. For the most part, she sleeps, except for eating & pottying. But if she’s outside, she refuses to lay down. She’s mostly OK inside, although she sometimes walks in circles inside, too. I keep a close eye on how she’s doing, and although she seems to be eating fine, if she seems to be getting more & more confused, I’ll have to consider that decision none of us want to make.
Good luck with your girl. Extra loving might help both of you in your adjustments.
Our 15-yr-old Westie, Anna, has also gone deaf. But she has learned hand signals. It is true that you have to watch them much more closely so that they don’t get into things they shouldn’t. And I have found that Anna is now tuned into schedules more than she used to be when she could hear me tell her what to do. She can outrun her brother and sisters who are 50 lbs heavier and more than half her age. She still rules the roost and doesn’t let anyone forget it. She also has beaten cancer twice. So, not being able to hear those darn fireworks is a real blessing. 🙂 I know it is difficult now but I know Carmeh (and you all ) will get used to her new world. And she’s still living the good life on the beach with such loving parents and sister.
Sorry to hear Contessa. Maybe it isn’t permanent and she will get better soon.
And you are such a sweet mama.
Poor little Carmeh…. it’s good she has Caeli to help her too……
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT CARMEH. WONDER IF HER HEARING WAS DECREASING BEFORE NEW YEAR’S EVE? IT’S GREAT THAT SHE WILL FOLLOW CAELI. MAYBE YOU NEED TO TEACH SOME MORE HAND SIGNALS.
I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD TWO POODLES. ONE WENT BLIND AND THE OTHER LOST HIS HEARING. THOSE TWO DOGS LOOKED AFTER EACH OTHER WHICH WAS WONDERFUL TO WATCH. THEY ONLY HAD RUN OF THE HOUSE AND BACK YARD SO COULDN’T TAKE OFF. THEY BOTH ADAPTED VERY WELL TO THEIR DISABILITY. I’M CERTAIN THAT CARMEH WILL AS WELL.
HANG IN THERE. HUGS.
Contessa, my sweet beagle, Chiqui, lost her hearing almost 2 years before I had to say goodbye to her. She had other health problems, but because she was always in my care, I honestly don’t think she ever suffered from being deaf. I think you are like me and will suffer more from that than Carmeh ever will.
OMG poor Carmeh! She is suffering from lots of the things that strike us in old age I am afraid. I had a deaf cat but that was from birth, you develop a sense of sign language but cannot ever let Carmeh off leash in a place near vehicles as she can’t be called back to you (although she cannot run very far). Sweet thing!