Is Snoopy deaf???

[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!














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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!!

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.

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

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

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" .

Oh well, I LOVE my little girl! She asked US to rescue her, so it os OUR responsibility now to spoil her rotten

[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