Special Needs Dog Question

[Larry Klaaren]

Yes that's right. I tell my clients their dog doesn't know it is abnormal to be blind or deaf. (I am a veterinarian.) Second thought, the only way to live life without being hurt is to live life without loving or being loved.

[Shawn Pixley]

Thanks to all who have commented. I really appreciate the advice.
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After doing a bit of research on deaf dogs I found a publication which links deafness to genetic characteristics. Piebald and Pie-eyed dogs have a statistically significant increase in Deafness.

"Congenital deafness has been reported for approximately 85 breeds, with the list growing at a regular rate (see list); it can potentially appear in any breed but especially those with white pigmentation. Deafness may have been long-established in a breed but kept hidden from outsiders to protect reputations. The disorder is usually associated with pigmentation patterns, where the presence of white in the hair coat increases the likelihood of deafness. Two pigmentation genes in particular are often associated with deafness in dogs: the merle gene (seen in the collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Dappled Dachshund, Harlequin Great Dane, American Foxhound, Old English Sheepdog, and Norwegian Dunkerhound among others) and the piebald gene (Bull Terrier, Samoyed, Greyhound, Great Pyrenees, Sealyham Terrier, Beagle, Bulldog, Dalmatian, English Setter). However, not all breeds with these genes have been reported to be affected...

...In the English Setter, English Cocker Spaniel, Australian Cattle Dog, and Bull Terrier, where fewer numbers of dogs have been hearing tested, the incidence appears to be about one third to one half that of Dalmatians. Unilateral or bilateral deafness is found in 75% of all white Norwegian Dunkerhounds, but the incidence in normal-color dogs is unknown. Other breeds with a high incidence are the Catahoula and Australian Shepherd. The incidence of all types of deafness in the general dog population is low, reported to be 2.56 to 6.5 cases per 10,000 dogs seen at veterinary school teaching hospitals, but these data predate the availability of hearing testing devices and so are much lower that actual values. Recognition of affected cases is often difficult, because unilaterally deaf dogs appear to hear normally unless a special test (the brainstem auditory evoked response, BAER) is performed; facilities to perform the BAER are usually only available at veterinary schools (see list)."

Dr. George M. Strain
Louisiana State University
Comparative Biomedical Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine

As you can see he is both Piebald and Pie-eyed. The vet checked him out and he seems to have no other issues than the deafness. In fact, he seems very bright and eager to please. He is fastenated by birds and if we lived in the right area, would probably be a good hunting dog (more Pointer than Retreiver).

In any case, the little guy is adorable, and is heavily imprinted on LOML, so I suspect that unless the owner comes forward (which I think unlikely), we'll end up keeping him. He (and we) are rapidly learning a shared sign language. Furthermore, he wants to be a shop dog!

[Belinda Barfield]

Thanks for the update. A win-win all around.

[Larry Klaaren]

I have never had a client take advantage of that BAER test unless they were a breeder, or the breeder wants to investigate if it is congenital. When the owners first figure out they deaf, they come in and have issues, but they have always gotten attached to the dog and kept it. BTW, several referral hospitals do that here in the Chicago area, it is not just at the Vet schools. I think the incidence reported in your article is way low, I have several clients with dogs deaf since birth, and I don't think I have 10,000 clients. That was the number seen at vet schools, but I think most never get worked up for deafness.

[Shawn Pixley]

Larry,
Good points about both the BAER tests and the incidence. In regards to the incidence, I believe you are sincere and your personal experience is not in question. The problem with personal experience is that it may not be a statistically valid sample. For instance deaf dogs may be euthanized before or rather than bringing them to your attention. Conversely, you may be known as one who is more sympathetic, and consequently, more people bring their deaf dog to you. In either case, it is clear that you are knowledgable and caring. Thank you.

What I found most interesting, was the corrolation (not causation) of white pigmentation and piebald charateristics to deafness. In another life, I would be very interested in exploring the reasons behind this. I wonder what biomarkers there might be to identify this before breeding. In any case, we are attached the little guy and he is trying very hard to be a member of our pack. Thanks for your perspective.

[Jim O'Dell]

Yes, lack of pigment in dogs that have a basically white background coat do seem to be more prone to deafness. English setters and Dalmatians for instance. Show breeders try their best to breed away from that trait, but I don't think there has been a gene marker found for the cause. In Irish Setters, we have PRA...Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Usually by about 1 year old, the pup is either going or has gone blind. The IS Club of America, through it's health foundation, invested money into research and they were able to identify the marker, and develop a blood test for it. We can now determine if a dog is affected, a carrier, or genetically clear. It is a tremendous tool to make sure you don't produce blind puppies without having to do test breedings, or to limit the gene pool in your breeding program. We have bred 2 litters over the last 17 years. Both parents were genetically clear. Which means their offspring's get were also genetically clear. Anyway, just some information for thought, and what research can find out. Jim.

[Shawn Pixley]

Thanks. That is interesting information. If there were only more time....