My senior dog is hard of hearing. Are there treatments or devices?

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is not abnormal for there to be some hearing loss in older pets. Hearing loss can happen as an age related change much the same way it happens in people as they age. Not responding to her name when called or not responding to other auditory cues (bag of treats or can of food being opened in another room) or commands (sit, stay, come), can be signs that she has some hearing deficits. There are a few other causes of hearing loss in pets such as chronic ear infections or a perforated ear drum. I would make sure Tazo is checked out with her veterinarian as well to make sure nothing else is going on that may be causing the hearing loss. I hope this helps!

It sounds like he is experiencing typical geriatric changes. There is not much we can do to restore hearing if caused by aging. The energy definitely slows down as they age. A daily canine multi vitamin may help. If you haven't been getting his blood checked once a year I would consider this and go see your vet to have this done as there certainly are diseases that can cause shadow to feel lethargic and sleepy. In regards to going up stairs, it sounds like arthritis may be slowing him down a bit. I would consult your vet about pain medications that you can give shadow to help with arthritis. Dasuquin for dogs is a great product along with omega 3 fish oils to aid in reducing inflammation. Welactin is a great fish oil product you can get over the counter. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please contact me with any additional concerns you may have!

Hello, I am sorry to hear about Sprocket. Hematomas form secondary to trauma to the blood vessels in the ear - sometimes due to head shaking secondary to ear infections, or rough play. Hematomas are quite uncomfortable due to the swelling present and if untreated can progress. If this is the first time Sprocket has had a hematoma, your veterinarian may be able to treat it more basically, without a full surgical procedure. They may be able to drain the hematoma under sedation. I would recommend having Sprocket seen by your veterinarian so that they can examine the ear and discuss possible treatment options. Hope this helps, good luck!

Poor Alexander! Cocker spaniels commonly deal with this issue as a breeder in general. While your own veterinarian is the best one to answer this question as they are most familiar with his medical history and conditions, the short answer is he is still young enough to have the procedure. I recommend to set up an appointment to discuss this with your veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

You should take Flappy to your veterinarian for an ear exam. Ear pain can be caused by a bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection and also by an allergy. . Each of these requires a different treatment regimen, so it is important to find out what is causing the ache.. Your vet will do a thorough exam and cleaning of the ear. He will then discuss the options with you and then prescribe medications appropriate for the respective condition.

First matter of business is Sophie's safety. Baby gate any stairs or access to outside she may have. She can still us senses of touch taste and smell so utilize those for training. Banging the floor may orient her to where you are. There are also vibrating collars available. Make sure her area of the house doesn't change. Try to minimize moving furniture or inadvertently putting roadblocks (boxes, bags) in the path she normally travels. Dogs are creatures of habit so many acclimate well to loss of senses if thier environment doesn't change. I found this article that also may help with some pointers for Sophie. https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/senior-dogs/caring-for-dogs-that-are-blind-and-deaf

You are correct there could be something else going on. In senior dogs like Molly, they can develop a condition called canine cognitive dysfunction. This is similar to dementia in humans, and it would cause her to behavior strangely at times. I would have Molly seen by a vet. The vet can diagnose if she does have cognitive canine dysfunction by doing a physical exam, blood tests, urinalysis, and x-rays to rule out any health problems that could potentially cause her symptoms. If canine cognitive dysfunction is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment with you. While it cannot be cured, it can be managed with mediations, behavioral therapy, and special diets.