My kitty Splash is deaf.

[SplshMtn99]

Splash has been deaf about a year now due to a ruptured ear drum from an ear infection. She's 18. And her kidney disease is getting worse it seems.

It makes me sad to think that she won't be here many more years, if even one. But even sadder that she can't hear us tell her how much we love her. She can't hear the birds, or the leaves rustle in the wind. She can't hear me open a can of food. Can't hear the door open & close when we come home. Can't hear us enter a room. She can't hear the bell on her favorite toy.

We've resorted to stomping our foot when we enter a room. Otherwise, she JUMPS if we walk up behind her. I suppose we are using alot of kitty sign language for things. And I know I use much more animated facial expressions.

She's always been a talker, but now she's SOOOOO loud when meowing. Guess she can't hear herself obviously. LOL But I find myself quietly "shushing" her early in the morning so she won't wake DH. Like she's going to hear me. Instead, DH tells ME to be quiet. lol

She's also become very clingy. Follows me everywhere, from room to room.

I just wish she could hear. You take it for granted. I want her to hear our voices again & hear "I love you" again before she goes.

 

[VioltePrincess]

that's so bittersweet....

 

[poohandwendy]

Awww, your post made me so sad. Poor Splash, I'll bet that is confusing for her. Sounds like you are very close. I really love my cats too. After losing one suddenly this year, I am a worrywart about them. I try really hard to stay in tune with each one of them, but I worry I will miss something critical. She does not have to hear you to feel your love!

Btw, LOL, it never occured to me that a deaf cat would meow louder...that is probably sort of amusing, in it's own way. I wonder if her other senses have become more acute, like they sometimes describe with deaf or blind people?
{{{HUGS}}} for you and Splash!

 

[Lisa L from MI]

My cousin had a deaf cat.......they did perfectly fine together.....let me know if you need any pointers etc....I could contact her (although, haven't talked to her in a long time....but willing too if you need help)

 

[Planogirl]

Many white cats are deaf. They seem to get used to it and sense movement and vibrations much more acutely.

Your kitty sounds so sweet. She's a lucky girl to have you.

 

[mommy*RN]

Poor Splash! I'm sure she knows you love her by the way you take care of her and meet her needs. I bet you even cuddle her a lot which in kitty world is more important than words.

for you and a big for Splash

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Many white cats are deaf. They seem to get used to it and sense movement and vibrations much more acutely.

Your kitty sounds so sweet. She's a lucky girl to have you.

Yea....white cats with blue eyes too....I had a himalayan....white with blue eyes....she wasn't deaf....but sometime thought she may have been.......but I am pretty sure that is what my cousin had....white cat/blue eyes....

 

[poohandwendy]

Yes, there is definitely a link between white cats/blue eyes. It has something to do with an inherited gene, not sure of the specifics. but IIRC it is even often found that when they have one blue eye and another color eye, the ear on the blue side is often deaf. I think a large majority of congenital deafness in cats is amongst the white/blue eyed cats.

Although, that doesn't really apply to cats who later become deaf, due to other problems.

 

[SplshMtn99]

What I'm finding stranger is MY reaction when I talk to the neighbors cat. LOL, I forget HE can hear me...and when he reacts to what I say, I laugh at myself for being suprised that he heard me. silly me.

Off to go snuggle with Splash.

 

[catsrule]

Splash knows she is loved. Just give her all the more lovins' now.
Simba always follows me everywhere.

 

[Msslaydbug]

I am sure Splash knows how much you love her and what a spoiled girl she is !! We do so easily take things like that for granted though.

 

[AlmostMrsH]

Aww...I got a little misty reading that (I'm tired, too )

Splash knows you love her - she doesn't need to hear it as long as she can feel it.

 

[FlowersChild]

So sorry to hear this about Splash. The best thing that you can do is to keep showing her that you love her the best way that you can We had a cat called Ruffles and in her last years she could not see. We still showed her that we loved her though It was very sad when Ruffles passed away, so I know how you feel about Splash being in her last years Well I send hugs and magic to Splash May her last years be happy years for her

 

[Tazicket]

Aww! It sounds like your kitty cat is in a home where she is loved very much. I'm sure she doesn't need her hearing to sense that.
You reminded me of one of my Dad's friends. She has a dog that was born deaf, so he doesn't really know how to bark. He tries but then people in the neighborhood come ask her what's going on.

 

[RSoxFan]

Poor Splash! She's very lucky to have people who love her as much as you obviously do.

My kitty is 18 too, and he has diabetes and kidney failure. He's doing well, but I've noticed lately that his hearing does seem to be going. When he's sleeping and I come into the room, he doesn't hear me until I'm right near him or sometimes even touch him. And I didn't put it together until you mentioned it, but he has been meowing much louder and more frequently lately. And he's more clingy.

Kitties are wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time, aren't they?

 

[SplshMtn99]

Thanks everyone.

RedSoxFan, when she was loosing her hearing, I tested it by snapping my fingers behind her head. Her ears never turned & she never turned her head. I would keep snapping while moving my hand over her head. She finally only reacted once I was in her field of vision, & then would quickly snap her head up to she what was there, but again, never turning her ears.

Vet said that was very smart test. Try that. Obviously, vet could see inside her ears to know the ear drums had ruptured.

She also told us (another vet had told us the same), that cats ear drums can re-heal. They could get some or all hearing back. This is actually happened to splash before since she's prone to ear infections, but don't think its coming back this time.

And yes, my spoiled baby knows she's loved. I just want her to be able to hear & enjoy things.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

My 14 year old cat, Bethany, is deaf too. She only became deaf in the last couple years or so. I have to make sure she sees me when I enter the room or before I touch her so she won't be startled. I completely understand how you want her to hear your voice. I'm that way too. I hold Bethany really close to me and talk to her in the hopes that she can feel the vibration when I'm talking. She's becoming much more loving as she gets older and I just pick up her and carry her around and she just purrs and purrs. Her kidneys are starting to go as well. The vet recently put her on NF (prescription food). Boy that stuff's expensive!! But I don't care. I will do whatever I can to make the last years of her life as comfortable and happy as possible. Oh, and her meow is really loud, just like Splash's.

Anyway, I can totally relate to what you're going through, 100%.

 

[lucas]

So sorry about your kitty.

I totally relate because we are going thru the exact same things with our 14 year old dog who has lost her hearing.

 

[Jeanny]

she knows... and she can see you telling her how much you love her.... she knows....

 

[Cass]

aww.. poor splash, but very lucky to be so loved.