Seeking advice on dog going deaf.

My 15 year old pup is in great shape, loves to run and play. but I have one problem, here hearing is getting worse and worse. It think it started about a year and a half ago. We started noticing she didn't hear cars coming anymore when crossing the street and began getting the shakes during thunderstorms. Then she was infected with ear mites from a stray kitten I found which led to much scratching and a diagnosis by the vet of ear mites, yeast infection and bacterial infection. A year later her hearing has not improved.

The problem is that she is a very well trained dog but she obeys vocal commands which she can't hear half the time now. I have started using hand signals but they aren't useful when he back is turned to me and I want to go down one path and she is headed down another. I find I have to use the leash more no just as a means of keeping in communication with her.

Before I spend more money at an ear specialist, does anyone have advice? Or has anyone experienced the same problem with their older dog ? Is deafness irreversible in dogs? My regular vet only seems to know so much. He can't even determine if the deafness was caused by the mites or a preexisting infection.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

TNX!

 

Perhaps you need to get one of those guide dogs for the deaf for your deaf dog???

 

ahh deaf dogs...you need to start hand signals....we do it with all our dogs....just in case they go deaf in their older years...but teach a hand signal for each command you will be amazed how fast they learn it and all....deaf dogs do fine...

 

oops you have done the hand signals....stomp your foot when the dog is not facing you....they will turn to the vibration....act like you have a deaf child and no honey no amount of money can turn back the aging in a dog...accept what you are dealing with and realize her waning years are there...

 

We had a deaf Jack Russel and did exactly what bones suggests.

 

Thanks!! Great advice, strolling! I do do the stamping thing but it's strange, she doesn't respond. At least not outdoors. Maybe because she's tuning it out along with all the other city noises. I have a whistle that she almost always can still hear but her problem is that the days she can hear, it seems she still has trouble figuring out what direction the sound came from. I think one ear is worse than the other and maybe the infection is back and that explains why some days are worse for her.

 

She catching on to the hand signals. The only problem still remaining is getting her to stop and turn around when she off leash on a trail with us. She's gotten better about checking behind her more now ever since she got separated from us twice and freaked out. I think I will have to use the leash more often too. Poor thing, she's confused by it all. Tries to read my lips. One good side effect. Less barking out the window at all the other dogs passing by.

 

Also try Debrox solution for ear wax.

My elderly dog is also going deaf, but this remedy helped with his hearing.

 

Thanks! I was considering earwax might have built up. I will try it.

 

you have had him checked out for ear mites, infection etc? now remember dogs are just like people....at that age ...expect a wee bit of confusion....and forgettfullness...

sounds to me like mutto just ignores your ass when yall are outside.....both mine hear well...but can be real selective outside...