Dog Friendly Tips: Hearing Problems

Any dog breed can develop congenital deafness, but breeds with white coats are the most affected. Different causes of hearing loss include:

Noise: Depending on the loudness, noise can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Infections: Otitis media (middle ear) and otitis interna (inner ear) are infections that can cause permanent deafness.

General anaesthesia: Anaesthesia can cause deafness, but the occurrences are very rare.

Your dog may be experiencing some hearing loss if he or she is less responsive to greetings or commands. A visit to the vets can confirm the problem.

If you have noticed a hearing problem, try not to disturb your dog while he or she sleeps or approach from behind, because this may be startling. Set a pattern of touch, vibration, or smell to wake the dog.

Dog Friendly Article: Common Causes of Dog Coughing

Some of the common health conditions that can lead to dog coughing include; kennel cough, pneumonia, collapsing trachea, and heart disease.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough (Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis) is a type of respiratory infection that affects dogs. The disease is highly contagious and can spread through the air, contaminated surfaces, and direct contact.

• Symptoms - A loud, dry cough that sounds like a "honk" is the most common symptom of kennel cough. Lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and discharge from the eyes and nose may also occur.

• Diagnosis - Kennel cough is usually diagnosed based on a physical exam and symptoms. However, further testing such as a bacterial culture can be performed.

• Treatment - If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics, a cough suppressant, and supportive care will be recommended. In mild cases, only supportive care may be required.

• Prevention - Kennel cough vaccines area available for dogs to help prevent infection.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious health problem that can lead to inflammation, fluid build-up, and infection in the lungs and respiratory tract. Puppies, geriatric dogs, and canines with weak immune systems are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

• Symptoms - Pneumonia in dogs can cause; lethargy, fast breathing, rapid heart rate, discharge from the nose, and a productive or congested-sounding cough.

• Diagnosis - Radiographs of the chest, blood work, and a bacterial culture are some of the options for diagnosing pneumonia.

• Treatment - Pneumonia caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics and supportive care. Medication that suppresses coughing is not recommended, as coughing can help get rid of the excess phlegm.

• Prevention - Pneumonia caused by aspiration can be prevented by treating underlying health problems such as gastric reflux.

Collapsing Trachea

A collapsing trachea occurs when the trachea collapses, causing the airway to narrow. It is a genetic condition most often seen in small dogs, but it can affect canines of all sizes.

• Symptoms - Coughing, trouble breathing, and vomiting caused by excess coughing are all symptoms of a collapsing trachea.

• Diagnosis - A collapsing trachea can be diagnosed based on symptoms. However, radiographs and a fluoroscopy evaluation can help confirm the diagnosis.

• Treatment - A collapsing trachea rarely causes serious problems, but it can affect a dog's quality of life. In cases where weight loss and treatment using medication does not work, surgery may be an option.

• Prevention - Maintaining your dog at an ideal weight and avoiding irritation of the trachea (pulling on collar, allergies, asthma, etc.) can help prevent a collapsing trachea.

Heart Disease

Dilated cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, and heartworm are three of the main types of heart disease diagnosed in dogs.

• Symptoms - Although the signs of heart disease vary depending on the condition, coughing (especially after exercise) is a common symptom. Additional signs of heart disease include; trouble breathing, lethargy, swelling of the abdominal area, and fainting.

• Diagnosis - Some of the tests your veterinarian may need to perform to make a diagnosis include; radiographs, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and blood work.

• Treatment - Dog coughing caused by heart disease is usually resolved by treating the underlying problem.

• Prevention - Providing your dog with plenty of exercise and feeding him a well-balanced diet is an essential part of maintaining his heart healthy. Placing your dog on a heartworm preventative is also a good idea.

Sonia Manning provides interesting information, helpful tips and useful resources about dogs and their health.

When it comes to the health of your dog, you want to be ready for anything. Get the answers to questions about your dog's health at Dog Health Conditions.

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