There was an article called "A Silent World" in the Fall 1998 CKCSCUSA bulletin. It was accompanied by an article by Michael Podell, MSc, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM, called "Hearing Assessment in Cavaliers".
You can also search the archives of this list: http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html A search for deafness as a subject line will get you at least 25 hits. Some of the authors were Normal Moffat April 3, 1998, Betsey Lynch on 9/25/98, Laura Stebbins on 6/29/01, Lori Waldman on 6/30/01. The important thing to know about deafness in cavaliers is that their deafness is not complete and congenital. In cavaliers, you must test below the routine BAER test level of 90 decibels (screaming child/vacuum cleaner, etc), to assess for early hearing loss. If you check down to 40-50 decibels (normal human voice), you will find that many can't hear you speak. Checking hearing at lower decibel levels is important if you wish to screen young breeding animals. Deafness is fairly common in cavaliers; some breeders suggest that all their puppy buyers teach hand signals early in life. The deafness appears to have a genetic predisposition. All I can say for certain is that it is probably not a dominant trait. I had a bitch tested in the late 90's; she was normal. I had two of her daughters tested at about 2 years of age. One of them heard perfectly down to 20-30 decibels (whisper). The other was deaf below 70 decibels in both ears. I took the second one out of my breeding program. But I've met several deaf cavaliers, and also have an older deaf cavalier, and now I'm not sure I would give deafness #2 on the hierarchy of disagreeable traits; the ones I've know manage to function fairly well. (with the exception of a couple who were really aggravating barkers) Leanne ---Original Message--- I'll tell you what I think is excelerating.......hearing loss in younger cavaliers.........no one talks about testing for that. It's a matter of perception I think. pam ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terrie & Disney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Someone else wrote to me privately about some articles on > the early deafness being seen in Cavaliers. Any idea where I might find copies > of those articles or any further info? > > Terrie:) ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
