Author: Michael Kearley, DVM

In This Article When To Begin View 4 More +

In This Article Summary View 5 More +

Adopting a Deaf Cat Hearing plays a vital role in how a cat interacts with its surroundings, and bonds with humans. Deafness, or the loss of hearing, can affect that bond, but only if allowed. Many deaf cats adapt easily and go on to live relatively healthy and happy lives. If you are looking for that next furry forever friend, consider adopting a deaf cat. It will only require a few small adjustments on your part. Deafness in cats has been classified into three main types: Hereditary/Congenital deafness: A genetic defect usually seen in cats with blue eyes and white fur, and usually noticed within the first few weeks of life. Sensorineural deafness: Occurs due to a loss of nerve cells and is irreversible. It may result from: Trauma Loud noises Certain toxins and drugs (like aminoglycosides, a type of antibiotic) Inner ear infections Meningitis Anesthesia Cancer Aging (presbycusis) In addition to hearing loss, your cat may also experience a head tilt, fever, or circling. Conductive deafness: This type of deafness is usually attributed to an underlying cause, such as a middle or outer ear infection that blocks sound from reaching the brain. This condition can usually be restored if the obstruction is resolved. Any of the above can affect one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral) and can result in either a complete or partial hearing loss where only certain sounds or frequencies are affected (usually the higher frequencies are affected first). How to Prepare for a Deaf Cat When working with shelter’s staff to prepare yourself to bring a deaf cat home, ask the following questions: What are the circumstances (if known) that led the cat to be placed in a shelter? How long has the cat been deaf? What was the cause of the deafness, if known? If the deafness was a result of a toxicity (i.e., from prior medications), which one(s)? Was the cat trained with nonverbal commands? If so, what were they? What special diet is the cat currently on? How much food is provided, and at what times? What other options can be considered if a special diet is not available? Are there in-house or low-cost testing options, coupons, or discounted medical care available to help with future costs? Schedule a Veterinarian Appointment for Your Deaf Cat After adoption, be sure to schedule an appointment with your family veterinarian to have a full exam completed, and share the answers to the above questions, as well as your cat’s medical records. Your vet will perform an otoscopic ear exam to determine if the eardrum is present and/or shows signs of disease, such as debris, redness, and inflammation. If your cat suffered from chronic ear infections in the past—of which deafness was the result—be sure to ask about the frequency of recheck exams and how best to manage future ear infections at home. If you are curious as to the type of deafness, or want further clarification as to whether it is partial or complete, ask your vet about the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test. Behavioral testing may be difficult, as a cat can adapt rather quickly, but it may be possible to notice if the cat’s ears or head moves toward a sound when made. A BAER test is noninvasive and often performed by a specialist. Responses to sound are recorded and measured by the placement of electrodes to determine hearing loss. Managing Your Deaf Cat at Home Once your cat is acclimated to a new home and environment, you will likely not need to make any additional trips to the veterinarian outside of regular checkups. It is recommended that your new cat be examined by your family veterinarian soon after adoption so that your cat can become an established patient and have any records and prior medical history evaluated. Keep in mind that while there may be no additional medical care needed, altering your initial perceptions about living with a deaf cat may be required. Your cat may be a little more difficult to rouse from a sleep, make louder-than-normal vocalizations (such as meowing), have variations in its feeding schedule (therefore a routine is best), and startles easily. Try to get the cat’s attention first prior to attempting to pet or pick it up. This will avoid avoiding starting it and prevent inadvertent scratching and biting. How to Communicate with a Deaf Cat Hearing is an important sense. Not only do cats utilize it for safety, communication, hunting behavior, and consumption of food, but they also use it for “talking” and listening to their pet parent. It is one of the most important aspects of the human-animal bond. When that communication is broken, so, too, can the bond. But as you may well know, there is more than one way to communicate with our feline friends. What a cat lacks in hearing ability can generally be compensated with other senses such as movement and vision, so try using hand signals and body language for training purposes. Alternatively, flashlights or similar objects can also be used, as well as vibrations made by stomping on the floor or knocking on surfaces. And don’t forget the sense of touch. Deaf cats are just as responsive to petting and rubbing as are those with normal hearing. Long-Term Management of a Deaf Cat Managing a deaf cat in your home may require a little more patience and, at times, a nontraditional training approach. Deafness, however, should not define your cat or your pet-human relationship. A few simple rules to live by will certainly enable you both to get the most out of your time together: Keep the environment and your cat safe. Deaf cats are at increased risk of injury from things like motor vehicles and predators. Consider screened-in enclosures or keeping your cat indoors, or even train your cat to walk on a leash and harness. Consistent routine not only helps with anxiety, but it also promotes a greater sense of well-being and quality of life. Provide scratching posts, plenty of litter boxes, toys, window perches, etc. Utilize visual cues for communication. Even though your cat may not hear it, keeping a collar and bell, or some sort of pet tracker or finder, can help you and your loved ones keep track of your cat.  It also is a great way to alert you if the cat is in danger or if it has caused any trouble. What is the cost for having a deaf cat? While there may be more of an initial investment when adopting a deaf cat, the deafness (unless due to chronic ear infections) shouldn’t be a significant cost concern going forward. Featured Image: iStock.com/Svetlanais  

In This Article Summary View 6 More +

The following may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy. What Does It Mean if a Cat Is FeLV+? Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an infectious disease commonly found in cats. Fortunately, with the commercial development of a vaccine, it has become less common over the past few decades. However, despite being preventable, it is still diagnosed fairly often and poses significant life-threatening risks to the affected cat that are ultimately fatal. The disease is not contagious to humans.  The virus is transmitted from cat to cat mainly through saliva, but also via blood, urine, feces, milk, and sexual contact. This often requires prolonged repeated exposure, and so things like sharing of food bowls and litter boxes as well as mutual grooming often pose a risk for transmission. Although rare, contaminated needles and blood transfusions can also serve as routes of transmission. An infected cat can transmit the virus to her offspring through the placenta. Kittens are at an increased risk for infection, as are outdoor and stray cats. Some cats with FeLV may not show signs until several months or years into the disease, but as your cat’s health progressively declines, you may notice the following: Lethargy Lack of appetite Weight loss Vomiting and/or diarrhea Fever Inflammation of the gums and/or throat Pale gums Adopting a FeLV+ Cat Given the prognosis of the disease, most cats with FeLV are, unfortunately, surrendered to a shelter if not euthanized. Other FeLV+ cats found in the shelter might have been lost, or are local strays that became infected. Most shelters will test for FeLV, but others may not, given limited resources and funds. Therefore, it’s important to ask the shelter staff the following questions before adopting: Has this cat been tested for FeLV and, if so, by what method? (This is important because some tests may offer a false positive or other tests can be used to determine severity of infection.) What is this cat’s past medical history (if known), including any diagnostics or other treatments given, such as baseline bloodwork? What is this cat’s current medical history? Is this cat on any medication or undergoing any treatment? How long has this cat been diagnosed with FeLV? Was this cat a stray, or was there exposure to the outdoors? If so, is this cat able to adapt to living indoors? Is the cat litter–box trained? Is there any in-house low-cost testing or discounted medical care to help with the associated costs of FeLV, including future treatments? Because FeLV+ cats do have a terminal condition, they often are overlooked in the shelter. However, though they have a shorter lifespan, their remaining years can be worthwhile, with many good experiences and memories. FeLV+ cats still have plenty of love to offer. Treatment Options for FeLV+ Cats Most likely, your cat was diagnosed through a simple test, often performed bedside in the shelter or clinic, looking for viral particles within the blood. It is often recommended to repeat this test and/or send out a blood sample to a diagnostic laboratory for confirmation. You can work with your veterinarian to run this test once your cat is adopted. Be sure to get your veterinarian’s recommendation as to which test would be best to confirm the diagnosis. Certain tests, such as the IFA, can be used to determine the severity and stage of infection, as end-stage disease often affects the bone marrow. Unfortunately, even with a confirmed positive, there is no cure. Treatment is aimed at managing and preventing secondary symptoms and complications attributed to the disease. It’s important to note that throughout your cat’s life, more frequent treatment(s) may be needed, more at some times than others. Medications such as steroids, chemotherapeutics, and even blood transfusions may be needed. Remember that if your cat requires a blood transfusion, it is extremely important that the blood type be checked first.  Dental disease is a complication associated with FeLV; therefore, talk with your veterinarian about performing dental cleanings and do your best to keep up with daily tooth brushing and at-home dental care. Products such as Healthymouth Toothpaste and Feline Greenies dental treats can be helpful. Cost of Caring for a FeLV+ Cat The cost of caring for a FeLV+ cat varies because the disease varies. Given the amount of care and monitoring needed, however, it is often higher than what you might expect, especially since some cats require more extensive treatments (such as blood transfusions and chemotherapy) than others. Of course, any cat can become sick and require medical care, so it’s important to be fiscally responsible when adopting. One factor to consider is that pet insurance typically excludes from coverage cats previously diagnosed with FeLV, as this would be considered a pre-existing condition (unless the cat had insurance prior to diagnosis). Long-Term Management of FeLV+ in Cats Special management needs to be considered when bringing an FeLV+ cat into your home, especially if there are other cats in the home. Given the high likelihood of disease transmission, it is recommended that the FeLV+ cat be isolated from the others for life, and that the other cats in the home be vaccinated against FeLV, though that doesn’t always provide enough protection in such cases.  A FeLV+ cat should be kept indoors, not only for its protection but for the protection of others. Your vet should examine the cat twice yearly, if not more frequently, including doing bloodwork. The cat should also be examined by the vet at the first sign of any irregularity in behavior or health, as even minor infections can be significant if not treated quickly and aggressively. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about the benefits and risks of giving additional vaccines. By arranging a consistent daily routine, minimizing stress in the home, and providing a high-quality cat food, you can set your new cat up for a healthier life. Raw diets should be avoided, given the potential for food-borne disease, and periodic weight evaluations should be performed, as progressive weight loss can be an indicator for more advanced disease. Additionally, routine parasite, flea, and heartworm prevention, such as Revolution Plus, should be administered on a monthly basis.  FeLV+ Cat FAQs How long will a FeLV+ cat live? It is always challenging to predict the life expectancy of a cat. Some FeLV+ cats can live for years without any significant complications, but in the majority of cases, the disease is fatal. Most cats succumb to the disease or its complications within a few years of diagnosis. Is there a cure for FeLV+ in cats? There is no cure for FeLV, and so the initial diagnosis can be quite devastating. While there is no cure, you can add comfort and healthier years by providing your cat with a loving and safe home. Featured Image: iStock.com/Everste

In This Article What Is a Cat Wound? View 5 More +

In This Article Summary View 4 More +

In This Article Why Is Tick Prevention Important for Cats? View 4 More +