One of our Heelers went deaf.

Fisheadgib

We have two elderly blue heelers that are a mother and son. The mother Po Po, (don't ask) is 15 and her son ****, (again, don't ask) is 13 and we discovered Saturday that **** is totally deaf. Last week he could hear just fine and now he is absolutely deaf. I whistled as loud as I could next to him and he didn't even flinch and we are totally confused about it. He's in good health and his ears are clean and clear of any inflammation and he doesn't show any discomfort but he's deaf as a rock. They used to stay in the kennel outside but they've been house dogs for a year or two and they've never been exposed to loud noises like gunfire or machinery. We'll get him to the vet this week but I'm confused about how he went from hearing fine to stone deaf so quickly.

Fisheadgib

Now I know dang well that I didn't write "wheeler" in the title when I posted it.

Fisheadgib

Thanks Enzo. I'm on my tablet and the friggin auto- correct drives me nuts. When I first typed "Enzo", it changed it to "snap". I wasn't aware of the hearing problems with heelers as the mother can hear fine but shows her age much more than the son.

Big Al1

My wife must be part healer, she never listens to anything I tell her!

MileHighShooter

Wambli Ska wrote: »

Fixed the thread title for you.

It's common to the breed. Mine was starting to loose her hearing when she got very sick and passed away at 13. We never tied it to any of her ailments (diabetes was one of them) but like it said, they are known for it.

I have read it is common because of dalmation being part of their lineage

Fisheadgib

Wambli Ska wrote: »

Beagles are awesome dogs!!! But the sheer "tenacity to the point of stupidity" of a Heeler can't be topped.

You got that right! I actually like the male that went deaf as he's smart and sweet to everyone. His mother couldn't die soon enough. Over the years, Debbie has spent thousands of dollars on vet bills on the mother as she just won't leave the horses alone. She's been stomped into the pasture several times and she'll still charge into the pasture to harass the horses if we let her out the back door.

MileHighShooter

cpj wrote: »

Not been around heelers much, but I'm gonna wager a beagle would give it a run for its money in the hard headed department.

I"m pretty sure my heeler mutt is mixed with a beagle. That dog is one stubborn little poop, but smart as can be.

MileHighShooter

Dixie has started "hunting" more and "herding" less the older she gets. She has 2 squirrels and a rabbit now. Unless she is running around with kids she doesn't seem to care about bossing animals around to go where she wants. Strange little dog.

Diver43

Wambli Ska wrote: »

We used to put our horses in the barn every night for feeding and every once in a while, if they did not listen to our calls to come in into their stalls (which they did 99% of the time), we would give Quigley the "order" to go get them and she would dart into the pasture and start chasing them until they got the idea they were supposed to go home. It was completely done on instinct, we never taught her to do that, she just LOVED bossing other animals around. Plus that God awful LOUD yip they do instead of a real bark is the most annoying sound on earth!!!

She was ruthless to the German Shepherd when he was a puppy, heeling him everywhere she wanted him to go until one day he'd had enough and he just put her whole head in his mount and held her there for a second or two. He didn't hurt her at all, just letting her know he was done getting bossed around, but the look on her face was priceless!!! She still tried to boss him around (and he let her) but she knew he was just being nice to her when he listened... kind of like the relationship my wife and I have :tooth:

Except SHE REALLY IS IN CHARGE!!! and if you don't believe me, ask HER

Wambli I had the pleasure of meeting both of those fine dogs and can honestly say that I have come across few if any smarter than your girl was. She was such a friendly smart dog that I have thought that maybe one day we will have one of that breed.

calebib

Wambli Ska wrote: »

Fixed the thread title for you.

It's common to the breed. Mine was starting to loose her hearing when she got very sick and passed away at 13. We never tied it to any of her ailments (diabetes was one of them) but like it said, they are known for it.

One of the ranches neighboring my dad's place has a bunch of healers and the old one's always go deaf.