Maltese and hearing problems

[LadyofYorkies]

Does anyone know of any relationship between loss of hearing and Maltese? I haven't had Ben tested yet but I'm pretty darn sure he has some hearing loss. He seems to be able to hear better when he is facing you but from behind he only seems to hear certain pitches of sound. I have one of those remote trainers that emits sounds that only dogs can hear. When I use it to make the others stop barking he doesn't respond. I tried it directed right at him with his back to me and there was absolutely no reaction but the other dogs around him perked their ears and some of them ran off. LOL Some of them don't like the sound, for some reason it scares them. Sylvia

[Morkie4]

I'm not aware of any nor have I ever read anywhere that this is a common problem among maltese dogs...........Kallie just has selective hearing!!! :D

I would take him to the vet and have him checked out.

[M101]

I thought Babe had some hearing loss. But I find he has selective hearing...called "stubborness". He hears what he wants--like people.

He can detect sounds that I can't hear.

I think unless your Vet states otherwise via testing you are experiencing the same thing I was.

Try sitting the dog on your lap or a table--speak to the dog from the front and behind; then do the same thing but whisper in the dog's ears--especially about something it likes--food or a toy, and see if you get a reaction.

You might find the dog can hear, and is just being stubborn. I hope this is the case vs. possible loss.

Linda

[mia's mom]

I thought Babe had some hearing loss. But I find he has selective hearing...called "stubborness". He hears what he wants--like people.

He can detect sounds that I can't hear.

I think unless your Vet states otherwise via testing you are experiencing the same thing I was.

Try sitting the dog on your lap or a table--speak to the dog from the front and behind; then do the same thing but whisper in the dog's ears--especially about something it likes--food or a toy, and see if you get a reaction.

You might find the dog can hear, and is just being stubborn. I hope this is the case vs. possible loss.

Linda


I think Linda is correct. Mia ignores the heck out of me when I want her to do something or obey me. Now she can hear my husbands truck when he is parking in the driveway, she hears the front door open from another room and she hears me when I walk into the room to open her crate door. She even hears leaves rustling in the wind but no.....not me telling her a command. Do try whispering above their head or from behind and if it they react then yes it is as Linda say's Maltese stuborness.

Good luck hopefully that's what's wrong!:)


Maggie

[jazzysmom]

I haven't heard of hearing problems in the malt but I guess it is possible Macy & Jazzy have selective hearing also!

[I Found Nemo]

I have heard of some Malts, but not an overwhelming amount..
Andrea

[Morkie4]

I have heard of some Malts, but not an overwhelming amount..
Andrea

Well, let's see, there is chocolate malts, vanilla malts, mocha malts, rootbeer malts, strawberry malts, coffee malts................I imagine Dairy Queen has a whole bunch of different malts.... an overwhelming amount!

Sorry, just couldn't help myself!!!:D

[I Found Nemo]

Well, let's see, there is chocolate malts, vanilla malts, mocha malts, rootbeer malts, strawberry malts, coffee malts................I imagine Dairy Queen has a whole bunch of different malts.... an overwhelming amount!

Sorry, just couldn't help myself!!!:D

:mad: OHHHHHHHHH LORDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD....:p

[Morkie4]

:mad: OHHHHHHHHH LORDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD....:p

That's LORD CAROL to you, missy!

[M101]

Also try sitting on the floor w/ your dog and ask him or her if they would like a treat or...see if he or she turns his head as if he or she has heard you. If offering a treat or toy of course give it to the dog.

Sit facing the dog. Start near the dog then back up to say 10 to 15 feet. You should get a reaction of the head turning.

Babe will ignore me w/ simple commands. But he can hear me coming from a 100 ft. So this answered my question about his hearing.

They are stubborn.

Also, I have found for discipline w/ barking that by sitting behind Babe and whispering in his ears not to bark and explaining that what he is hearing--a bird, or plane, etc. helps him to understand and calm down. Then when he hears the same or similar sound he is less likely to bark or simply look at me and wait for me to tell him it's okay.

I've also found by talking to him throughout the day you should find your dog will respond to some words he hears. Talk to him about a favorite treat or toy--I think you'll find he or she will perk up--hearing you.

Good Luck!

Linda

[LadyofYorkies]

I thought Babe had some hearing loss. But I find he has selective hearing...called "stubborness". He hears what he wants--like people.

He can detect sounds that I can't hear.

I think unless your Vet states otherwise via testing you are experiencing the same thing I was.

Try sitting the dog on your lap or a table--speak to the dog from the front and behind; then do the same thing but whisper in the dog's ears--especially about something it likes--food or a toy, and see if you get a reaction.

You might find the dog can hear, and is just being stubborn. I hope this is the case vs. possible loss.

Linda


We just bought a house and because of unexpected expenses we have no reserves to take him to the vet but I wanted to let you know that I have sat behind him, not RIGHT behind him, but close enough to reach out behind his head and clap my hands loudly and there's no reaction. If I'm close enough for the air from my hands to move his hair he will turn to look but otherwise it's like I didn't do anything at all.

Sorry to take so long coming back to check the answers but I'm dealing with a little puppy who is having low blood sugar seizures between everything else. Sylvia

[M101]

I'm sorry you're dealing w/ seizures w/ the puppy. I'm sure you're scared. I will say a prayer tonight for you both. And send a big hug also.

I think (hope) you find that the puppy is just being stubborn...that he/she can truly hear and is just tuning Mommy out for whatever reason(s). Babe does this frequently. Babe has super sonic hearing...he's always listening for sounds. But I sit and explain what he's hearing, and explain it's okay. He then tries to bark very low.

Low blood sugar--I always leave kibble in Babe's dish 24/7. He will take a piece now and then. I've started to feed him an a.m. and early afternoon snack to keep him going. And make sure he gets a nap twice daily. It helps.

No reply needed. Pls post an update to let us know that your puppy is okay. I understand your financial bind also...I haven't been able to get Babe everything all at once he needs, and I feel guilty.

***One important item: If your vet should place the puppy on medication to control the seizures like Phenobarbital or Dilantin...pls be sure to ask if the medication(s) can over time cause Osteoporosis...these drugs do in humans--the earlier the use the more likely for the damage. Very few physicians know this...so pls ask questions and research if able when time permits.

Post if the above medications are prescribed, and I'll try and research for you, or ask a physician well-versed w/ Osteoporosis in humans at UCLA.

I'll be thinking of you and your puppy.

Linda ;) :big_hug: :getwell:

[LadyofYorkies]

Thank you Linda. I do leave food down, I free feed. Either she forgets to eat or she just doesn't like to eat.

She started this at 8 weeks old and it went on for a month then she got better for about 2 weeks and she had another seizure last Saturday. The one and only good thing to come out of it was that the last time she had a seizure her ears dropped, she's a Yorkie, this time her ears went back up. She was 14 weeks at the time of the seizure and only 1lb6ozs. I thot she was gaining during the 2 weeks and we weren't watching as closely as we were and down she went. She hasn't gained since she started all this.

Yes, we have taken her to the vet and they said it was low blood sugar and I did a little research on LS, it doesn't seem to be LS but when we take her back in I will have her tested for it too. I have very healthy lines but throwbacks happen. She is the 6th generation without health problems that I know of, so I hope this is only low blood sugar.

She will often eat baby food chicken off my husband's finger but I feed her with a syringe or eye dropper. I want to be reasonably sure how much she's getting. We are giving her Rebound in her water. I hesitate to put any kind of sugar in her water because the first time she had a seizure I let her have all the NutriCal she wanted. She went from low blood sugar to sugar poisoning. I didn't know that could happen but if I had ever thot about it I would have realized it. I'm a diabetic.

I also give her baby food rice(powdered in her food), yogurt and some vitamins. If she's acting like she's going to have a seizure I will add karo into her food. I just don't know what else to do. I sure hope she grows out of this one way or another soon. Sylvia

[M101]

Dear Sylvia: It sounds like you are handling the situation very well. And I again sincerely send you and your puppy prayers and hugs.

I have an unusual situation myself: Babe the Maltese I've been Nanny sitting for a family member too old and ill to care for has now given the puppy (not quite a yr. old) to me. It is unclear if he ever received his vaccinations months ago. I've requested proof, but I never have received it. I know double vaccinating is not good. He is beginning to bite my Mom in the a.m. He minds for me 95 % of the time, but my parents feel he should be better trained by this point.

I know he is behind in learning, but can not expect too much too soon. My parents want to give him away. I would be broken hearted; he would become depressed and confused; and possibly more aggressive--I worry about him and feel he needs time. I spend my days w/ him trying to teach him small things everyday; play w/ him; groom him; etc. So I'm upset. I know of no one to take him in. And don't want him to leave. He's like caring for a baby minus the diapers and bottles. I've tried to do the best I could, and have not given up on him. I think I could have trained a a few tigers by now...but I keep on.

So we all have issues...of course yours is very serious. But your puppy is fighting for his life; and is not giving up:D

So hang in there. Let's hope he recovers very soon. My previous dog a very long time ago was an Afghan--he died from poisoning by a neighbor; so I haven't had a puppy for a very long time. It's exhausting, but each new day we can only hope for the best.

I enjoy reading your posts because you are very intelligent and caring--so hang in there. I'll send positive thoughts your way everyday. :)

All the Best,

Linda

[I Found Nemo]

:( Hi Sylvia,
Please update when you know more, I am so sorry this happening:(
Please hang in there. I will pray all goes well for you and your baby!
Andrea:hug:

[mia's mom]

Thank you Linda. I do leave food down, I free feed. Either she forgets to eat or she just doesn't like to eat.

She started this at 8 weeks old and it went on for a month then she got better for about 2 weeks and she had another seizure last Saturday. The one and only good thing to come out of it was that the last time she had a seizure her ears dropped, she's a Yorkie, this time her ears went back up. She was 14 weeks at the time of the seizure and only 1lb6ozs. I thot she was gaining during the 2 weeks and we weren't watching as closely as we were and down she went. She hasn't gained since she started all this.

Yes, we have taken her to the vet and they said it was low blood sugar and I did a little research on LS, it doesn't seem to be LS but when we take her back in I will have her tested for it too. I have very healthy lines but throwbacks happen. She is the 6th generation without health problems that I know of, so I hope this is only low blood sugar.

She will often eat baby food chicken off my husband's finger but I feed her with a syringe or eye dropper. I want to be reasonably sure how much she's getting. We are giving her Rebound in her water. I hesitate to put any kind of sugar in her water because the first time she had a seizure I let her have all the NutriCal she wanted. She went from low blood sugar to sugar poisoning. I didn't know that could happen but if I had ever thot about it I would have realized it. I'm a diabetic.

I also give her baby food rice(powdered in her food), yogurt and some vitamins. If she's acting like she's going to have a seizure I will add karo into her food. I just don't know what else to do. I sure hope she grows out of this one way or another soon. Sylvia

I'm sorry to hear about your little one...I'm glad that the vet did take sugar into consideration. I had 2 episodes with Mia and after the first one Pedilyte and Nutracal are my 2 new best friends. Try giving the pup a little bit of Pedilyte 2 or 3 times a week it raises their electrolytes and replenishes their loss fluids. (Breeder showed me this) Hang in there I know you feel overwelmed but it will be fine.

Maggie

[Morkie4]

I wish you the best in solving your babies problems.........it's so hard when they can't just tell us what is wrong! Sounds like you are doing the best you can! I'll be thinking of you and your baby!!!! Keep us updated!