Is Snoopy deaf???

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I think that our Snoopy is deaf. She is here 1 month now, so I know her behaviour pretty well. She does NOT react when I call her name, not when I make a noise behind her back, not when I open a can, not when she hears me yell "NOOOOOO" eveytime she jumps on the table... :(
Shr comes to the kitchen whenever I feed the cats, but only after she has noticed that the others run to me!
Does anybody know how to test this :confused: ?? I am worried for her. First that leg, then that chestbone, and now her ears??
Well, she is a very lucky girl that my hubby crossed her path one month ago. If not, she would never have made it this far in this world :)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/mmmmm.jpg

[Killearn Kitties]

Lut, Ally Cat's Mommy's Conner is deaf. She will probably have some good advice, but from what you say, it certainly sounds a possibility.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Aw, thanks!!!

[Randi]

Oh Lut, it does sound like she is deaf. :( I don't know to check it, other than what you have already done, but the vet will surely be able to tell you. Strange he didn't notice when you first came in with her. :confused:

Snoopy is such a cute girl and I hope she won't suffer from this.

Sending kisses and scritchies to the little sweetie.

[jenluckenbach]

Make a loud hand clapping noise at her from behind (not close enough for her to feel a breeze, though).

She sure is one lucky girl to have been found by your wonderful husband.

[kuhio98]

Put a couple of coins or nuts and bolts in a small tin can. When the kitties are snoozing and relaxed, drop the can. Most kitties will be startled. Don't worry, if Princess Snoopy is deaf, she will undoubtedly compensate for it like she's done with her other health issues. And your other kitties will help her out and alert her to things.

[Catty1]

Hi, M&I&S&Z's mom:

If you read yesterday's COTD(Anna), you'll read how that wee deaf girl gets along. Hope that helps!

hugs!

[lizbud]

I would try the coins in a can idea to test this out.I must say
being deaf does not take away how beautiful & precious she is. :)
Every time I see her picture I just wish I could pick her up for a
cuddle. :D

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that Snoopy may be deaf :( but even if she is she'll do fine now that she's in your loving home. :)

[Sonia59]

Well, she is a very lucky girl that my hubby crossed her path one month ago. If not, she would never have made it this far in this world :)


Absolutely, and that is the most important ;)

I did not realize she could be deaf, but from your description it really seems so.

It does not seem to handicap her, and as long as she is an indoor cat she will be safe. :)

[Donnaj4962]

Awwww, sweet little Snoopy. She is so adorable. I have no advice to give you, but I wanted to agree with others that she is in the right place to live a beautiful life with you, your husband, and her fursibs.

[Lizzie]

My Ginger is deaf and has been for a few years now (she's about to turn 20), and the only problem is when I am trying to rush down a hallway that she is strolling down. She can't hear me coming, and doesn't react to the vibrations of my movement either, so she leaps away and runs when she sees movement of me passing her out of the corner of her eye. Of course, most of the time I just wander along behind her so that I don't startle her, but mornings are rush time and I have no choice. I remember reading that the COTD can sense vibrations, so I wonder why Ginger does not.

Snoopy is incredibly lucky to have found a safe home. She wouldn't have heard a car or dog out there on her own.

[catmandu]

My dear Mothers Favorite Cat Missy was deaf from birth too.You just have to be cautios around Snoopy,as to not startle her when she cant tell that you are coming.
She has a Guide Cat Duo in Niagara Falls in Mr Scrappy Angel and Mr Fluffy Angel!
Snoopy is indeed a very Lucky Cat,,to have been rescued by You!!!

[kb2yjx]

Dear Lut!!! I was very sorry to read that there is the chance that little Snoopy might be deaf. Have you taken her to the vet to be checked out? She looks so good in the photo!! Snoopy is one very lucky kitty to be rescued by your husband and cared for by you!!!

[sandragonfly]

:confused: why are some sorry? :(

well yay, another deaf cat! (like me).. ;) well, I have one deaf cat, eclypse - (the white one with odd-eyes in siggy) and she's just a lovebug!

don't drop the can, deaf cats are very, very sensitive with feelings/vibrations or loud noises they can feel on floor - try to shake it far enough, not too hard though. also try this, shake the treats (if you usually do) behind a wall where she can't see you. if only three others came to you, yeah, I guess so - sounds like you're right anyway, she haven't react well enough lately.

are you going to have her tested by a vet if you aren't sure? eclypse's foster mom didn't know she was deaf until three months later! :)

[momcat]

Hi Lut! I don't have a shred of veterinary training or experience, but from what you said, it does sound like our little purrball does have a hearing problem. She has done so well in the time she has been with you that I'm not concerned about her welfare because everyone on

Hi, Lut! While I have no veterinary training or experience, from what you said it seems that our little purrball does have a hearing problem. She has done so well with you, settled in, secure, and comfortable. Her bonding with Maya is a wonderful thing to see. I wonder if Maya senses that Snoopy can't hear, wouldn't be at all surprised if she does. This sounds like something you should discuss with your vet. Don't think of Snoopy as being disabled, think of her as being differently abled. She'll find ways to compensate for not being able to hear.

I still love her. Sending scritchies, smoochies, and plenty of tummy rubs!














p










pT

[AlleyCat]

Hi Lut, sounds like Snoopy may indeed have a hearing disability. It really shouldn't affect her in the least. Being as young as she is, it's entirely possible she's had this since birth. And, if you're born that way, you can't miss what you never had. I know, I'm speaking from experience. So I'm sure Snoopy will get along just fine in life regardless of any disabilities she may have. She's still a lovebug !! :)

[Karen]

Does she meow louder than the others?

Snapping your fingers behind her, or near her when she's asleep is another good test.

She's cute as a button hearing or not, and, in your house, will surely grow and thrive. After all, Indra's hearing isn't perfect, and she's grown into a lovely, healthy and strong young lady, right? :) Maybe they can be extra special friends!

(For new folks, Indra is Lut's human daughter!)

[Sus]

Hello, Lut!

I agree with all the above that Snoopy very well could be deaf! Her behaviour sounds very much like the oddities that made me wonder, when I got a kitten - Oliver - some years ago. It took me a while back then to figure out what the problem was! ;)

During his first year Oliver learned to respond to vibrations of the floor or other objects, so I don't think dropping anything onto the floor would be conclusive as a proof of deafness. The enhanced ability to feel vibrations can be utilized, however: I learned to tap on the cupboard, or the mattress or whatever he was sleeping on, in order not to give him a shock if I needed his attention. I had to figure out quite different methods of training for him - since shouting "no!" had absolutely no effect!! :D

Oliver also learned to pay attention to my other cat, Chili, and to do what he did. It all worked out very well! The only problem about a deaf cat, is that it should probably not be allowed to go outside on its own. My mom has a semi-deaf cat, and you would not believe the stories I could tell about the trouble he has experienced from not being able to take care of himself properly - all because he is allowed to roam about as he pleases. :eek:

Good luck with Snoopy - the adorable...

Love,
Sus and Bella

[critters]

It sounds like she may be. If you wanted to, you could get an ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) done on her, like a human baby, but i wouldn't worry about it. She is what she is, and she has a family to love her. Her sibs will probably clue her in to sounds around her, and you can communicate with her via vibrations, light flicks, etc. You may find there are some intensities or frequencies that she can hear, which you can use. If you feel like going high-tech, you could try a vibrator receiver collar when she's bigger.

Syndactyly and hearing loss won't hurt her at all. :)

[catnapper]

Ooops, I missed this yesterday!

Awwww, Miss Snoopy just gets more lovable, thats all. If she is deaf (and it certainly sounds that way) then she's already finding great ways to compensate - look at how long she's been with you and nobody really noticed!

If the sound of a food tin popping open hasn't gotten her attention.... well... thats the universal cat attention getting sound. Mine can hear that soft *pop* from a dead sleep on the 3rd floor!

Give her some kisses from Auntie Kim, and hold her tight because I just might have to hop a plane and bring her home with me to add to my collection ;)

[furrykidsmother]

I am sorry to hear this, but I am sure that if she is or isn't she will have a wonderful life with you and her sisters!

[smokey the elder]

If she doesn't respond to the can opener, I think that's a good clue. I think she'll be fine, though.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

OH Lut,

I am so sorry I only saw this now - I havent been online very much at the moment - so many things to do before the baby arrives!!

As others have said, if she does not react to sounds without visual clues, then there is a high chance that she is deaf. I would get the vet to check anyway - sometimes it can be from birth, although other times (as with Connor) it can be a bad infection which damages the ears - my vet did some exploratory surgery on Connor to see if it was a problem which could be fixed, although in his case it could not.

In addition to all the great advice and support on PT, I also belong to deafcatsclub on Yahoo Groups - you may want to consider signing up. (PM me for more info if you like).

Crystal (my most recent foster - who also turned out to be deaf), has adjusted perfectly to her new home. The only "issue" Chantelle has with her is that she knocks things off shelves etc as she doesn't heat the BANG when things hit the floor!!

With Ally and Connor the situation has always been a bit more complex - although I think your furkids are NOT as highly-strung and temperamental as Ally is! The problem is that due to Connor's deafness, he does not hear Ally warning him to get out of her space, so they end up fighting. I hope this won't be a problem in your house - I doubt it as they already seem to be getting on so well.

Thank goodness hubby rescued little Snoopy and you were able to give her a home - I can't bear to think about what could have happened to her otherwise?

Please PM me if you want to "chat"

(((HUGS))) and scritchies to Snoopy and the other furkids!!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

In addition to all the great advice and support on PT, I also belong to deafcatsclub on Yahoo Groups - you may want to consider signing up. (PM me for more info if you like).

Please PM me if you want to "chat"

(((HUGS))) and scritchies to Snoopy and the other furkids!!

Oh yes, Julie! I would love to join that club! I never worked with Yahoo before, so you'le have to direct me :o :D

You also say "chat". Is that on that club? Or somewhere else? I am a member if MSN if you're interested! I love chatting too :p

Yes, I am almost sure now that Snoopy Woopy (lol) is deaf! It is funny to see how she waits on signals from the others to get into action :) . I don't mind her being deaf; it makes her even more special! It only will be very difficult to teach her "some manners", like "don't jump on the table", "come", and the easiest word to yell "NO" :rolleyes: .

Oh well, I LOVE my little girl! She asked US to rescue her, so it os OUR responsibility now to spoil her rotten :D
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/gifts6.jpg

[Laura's Babies]

Awww gee, Snoopy is such a special little girl and this new developement just makes her even more special and priceless. I think if you just now caught on to it, that it just is not a handicap to her. I suspect she was born that way so she don't even realize she is "different" from the others and thinks the whole world is as quit to everyone as it is to her. She is STILL adoreable as ever and I would love to see a thread on her WITH pictures... Remember, I was gone a month and need to "catch up"!

[orangemm]

I agree with everyone else; no matter if Snoopy is deaf, she will live a normal and happy life with you and her fursibs. At least she has them to 'guide' her and be her ears! I doubt she will miss a meal or a treat because of it!

She is so lucky to be with you and your hubby!

[Medusa]

I'd say chances are good that Snoopy is deaf. My Creamsicle is deaf and I did all the things you did w/Snoopy to test her. If your cats run out of the room when you turn on the vacuum cleaner and she doesn't, then that'll probably tell you for sure. C girl has no fear of the vacuum cleaner or anything else that makes noise for that matter. The other cats scuttlebutt out of the room but she jumps on it. Maybe she likes the vibration, I dunno. And she's the happiest cat I've ever seen and she's so sweet that no one can resist her. The rest of my fur posse seem to know she's deaf and they all tolerate behaviour from her that they don't take from the others, so you might want to observe your other cats around her.

How lucky you are to have found each other. I'm so happy for you both.

Blessings,
Mary