Hi All
Has anyone had a deaf cavalier king charles spaniel? I've had these dogs for 25 years, and thought I'd come across most things! But 3 year old Saffy appears to have gone deaf! I'm sure she's not always been deaf, but I took her to the vet a couple of months ago, as she didn't seem to be hearing me when  called her off lead..(in a very safe are, I must add....she never gets let off lead near road or traffic.)
The vet examined her and said she seemed fine, but since then, I've been working from home and noticed that she only responds to things like the doorbell when the other cavalier starts her off. She can be fast asleep, and doesn't hear me come in, call her, talk to her or anything.
I've spoken to the vet again, and he's now referred her to a lady called Celia Cox in Winchester who does BAER hearing tests. We have an appointment next month, really to find out just how deaf she is, and then I guess we need to get some training in doggy sign language! I think we must have been doing that without realising, as she's generally an obediant little dog, who watches your every move. In fact, she was a little star at her Puppy Training classes...the trainer remarked how well she watched me!
Perhaps this was why? She seems to bark at low rumbly noises like lorries  and she seems to hear our car arrive home...but it could be vibrations?She doesn't hear a "dog whistle"....
Anyway, has anyone had a BAER test done on their dog, and was it helpful?
Regards
sami

Hi! I have dalmatians, a breed with a tendency to hereditary deafness, and I've had all mine (adults and litters) BAER tested by Celia Cox. She's very very experienced (she did my first one about 12 years ago) and has done literally hundreds over the years, of many different breeds. Have you read this article?

I had one oldie tested at 12 years of age as she seemed to have gone deaf after having very sharp responses as a young dog. The test showed that she had only 10% hearing in one ear - and had never been able to hear in the other! I was amazed as her responses to sounds had always been perfectly normal. But knowing that she genuinely couldn't hear me now (rather than the normal 'selective' deafness that all dogs can manage when they want! ;)) made me much more aware of having to keep a better eye on her when out on walks.

Definitely go ahead and get Saffy tested. No doubt Celia will sedate her lightly first - baby puppies are usually quiet enough especially if fed first so they get sleepy! - adults are usually too alert to give a good reading without sedation. But Celia knows her stuff, and I trust her implicitly. Good luck!

recent studies by Dr. Michael Podell have found Cavaliers which develop a progressive hearing loss, which usually begins during puppyhood and worsens, or progresses, until the dog is completely deaf, usually between the ages of three and five years.  The progressive nature of this form of deafness in CKCSs is believed to be due to degeneration of the hearing nerve, rather than the lack of formation or early degeneration of the inner ear receptors. Dr. Podell is an ACVIM board certified veterinary neurologist and was an associate professor of neuroscience and veterinary medicine at the Ohio State University at the time of his studies

The full article with references/links etc is on the CavalierHealth site

It includes an explanation re the hearing tests too.

Our Lou has slight hearing problems related to his Syringohydromyelia

Thanks JG and MM for your quick replies...yes I've heard good things about the lady who we are referred to...interesting links also...thanks...
I will do some more research, as it doesn't seem to be as unusual as I thought!
Regards
sami

I also have CKCS who suddenly went deaf when he was six. It just seemed instant and vet couldn't find any sign of infection. He seems happy though and is now 14+ and still going strong and has his own "hearing dogs for the deaf" two Rhodies who mother him and protect him. Having other dogs I think have helped him cope with his loss and offer him some sort of comfort and security.

One of my ckcs is deaf also but you would not know unless you call her & she is not looking at you. She is 8 years, her ears just closed up.I argree jennifer my other dogs have helped her too.

It's not a breed thing, but I guess it can crop up. My boy certainly suffers from 'selective deafness' - people in the park have asked me if he's deaf, but he can hear the treat drawer opening from half a mile away! :-D Hope your boy is ok, but he'll manage just fine even if there is a problem.

Thanks for all the replies...Saffy's obviously not bothered about it...I just feel a bit bad that I hadn't realised that she was deaf!(Even the vet said he thought it was "selective deafness") She also started barking last year, at other dogs...quite unlike her...and her "partner in crime", who is only 8 months older than her, has always been fiercely protective of her. The two of them are extremely close...I suppose Saffy has been using Poppy as "her hearing dog for the deaf" too! Aren't dogs clever!
Regards
sami

I'm glad she's happy and your other one's helping her out - sorry didn't read carefully enough to see she was a girl in previous post!