My Princess has gone deaf.?.?.?

[rbpelley]

Hey all. New member here, and I've already got a doozie of a problem.

I have 2 cats. My little girl "P.B.", is a 13 year old mixed. Her adopted brother "Max", is a mixed Maine Coon. (I think)

I hadan't really noticed any problems w/the 13yo until my brother visited recently and pointed something out. It appears that she didn't see him when he came over to the house. He had been there for about 10 minutes with me. We were all in the same room. P.B. was drinking some water, went to the window sill, walked around, etc. She turned again and saw my brother and completely flipped out, surprised that he was there. She apparently never heard him the whole time.

So, I wanted to see if she really was having a hearing problem, or jsut out of it that day. Over the last few days, I've tried to get here attention when she's not looking. Clapping my hands, whistling, even snapping my fingers next to her ears when she's asleep on my lap. No response at all. Not even a twitch of the ears.

It used to be that I could get ready for bed, be upstairs, and call out, "P.B., it's time for night-night", and she would come running up the stairs. Not anymore. I need to make an apt w/a vet, but I haven't found one that I trust to take her to in the Austin,TX area yet. I know that she is getting up there in age, and if this is her only age-related problem, (assuming it is age related), then I guess it is not terrible. But, Hearing is a vital part for any cat. And I just don't want to see her suffer and get startled everytime I get home and go to pet her hello and have her freak out because she didn't hear me before I touched her.

-Anyone else going through this, or been through this, and can provide some ideas/suggestions, to help both her and me get through this time?

(I'll post a gerneral hellow in the 'cloud' room to say hi to everyone and give a run-down on all of her and her bother's different quirks and personalities in a while....Till then, thanks all.

-Robert

[guest]

I suggest you get into the habit of giving her non-aural cues for such things as coming up on her. You can use things like blinking the light switch and stomping on the floor or other vibrations in consistent patterns she can learn to recognize the meaning of.

[davet]

my old cat did the same thing, just all of a sudden went deaf, or at least all of a suddden we noticed it but she still remained happy and probably ignorant of here surroundings untill she was 19 years old...shs did respond to floor stamping but not to direct sounds....not unusual

[Traci]

Robert,

Since your kitty is 13 years of age, she would truly benefit from a full blood profile (senior profile) to detect any hidden illnesses that increase as she ages. Be sure to ask for full blood profiling, a urinalysis and include a thyroid function test. Any kitty over the age of 7 should have this done annually to keep ahead of any potential underlying illnesses.

As for her hearing, don't be alarmed just yet, but you do want to ensure she is not suffering from a potential ear infection, or other causes. Since it seemed sudden to you, that would be the first thing you need to rule out. This can be checked upon the initial exam, and your vet would have methods to check her hearing ability and decide at what extent the loss may be.

Kitties who lose their ability to hear can accomodate quite well. It is not as concerning as a true physical disability, you simply make adjustments to her environment, create suitable alternatives so that she remains safe and secure in her environment. Physical stimulation will compensate for the hearing loss...vibrations made when you approach her will help keep her calm and not frightened, continuing you bond with her to ensure her security, etc.

First things first though, please get her seen promptly and get a full blood profile done for her.

[samfudg]

hi RB,
Puppicat lost his hearing, as the result of a stroke, in 1999. He completely recovered from the stroke (Thank God) but he completely lost his hearing.
In all honesty, it bothered me a whole heck of alot more than it bothered him! I would sit and cry because I knew he could no longer hear the birds chirp from the window. He could care less, LOL...he was too busy trying to figure out how to get to the lizards or squirrels thru the window, instead!
Bottom line is this....Puppicat has been deaf for 4 years now. It does NOT bother him, me or any of my visitors in the least. He adjusted very well to it. I just make sure he is NOT near the front door when company comes over, because he wouldn't know to move when they opened the door

[samfudg]

PS...
Instead of just telling Puppicat I love him, I always put my lips against his cheek, so he can feel the vibration of my words. Whether he actually understands the words, I will never know. But, I can tell you this, he absolutely understands the meaning of the message