deaf kitten - ok so not a dog

[Mandz]

hi,

Just wanted any advice - good or bad

I have a litter of kittens which I am slowly getting rid of but it would seem that one of them is deaf.

Anybody have any experience of owning a deaf cat???

It is the sweetest thing (are'nt all baby animals - lol) and, you guessed it, he/she is pure white with blue eyes.

I really feel for the little thing and am contemplating keeping said kitten (keeping this quiet from hubby

)

Any thoughts????

Mandz
xx

 

[jacks_mum]

yes we have a deaf cat. She is white. She was fine until she was six weeks old and fell onto a concrete floor and smashed the back of her skull. I gave her mouth to mouth whilst my OH drove us to the animal hospital. We were told I'd wasted my time as she would die but we insisted they treat her as best they could and two weeks later she came home. She had to live in a cage for a couple of months because she was so delicate. We knew she was brain damaged - the biggest thing is that her brain and bladder anren't very well connected! So we now have wooden floors rather than carpets. but we gradually came to realise that she was also deaf.
we had great fun - we'd sneak up behind her with two frying pans and clap them together really hard and she'd just sit there without even noticing. she sleeps very deeply, I guess because nothing disturbs her but if you poke her awake ie for her tea, she jumps about three foot in the air. she'a also very small but that is more the brain damage, a six month old kitten is slightly bigger than her. we were told she would only have a short life and we should assess her daily for quality of life because of the brain damage but two weeks ago she turned 8 which is pretty good.
as far as deafness goes, I wouldn't worry. we don't let Jadzia out because we are worried about her on the road but as she has never been out before it has been a problem. If you are not keeping your deaf kitten I would look for a 'house cat' position for her, just to keep her extra safe.
If you want to keep him/her then just keep her safe and love her like a normal cat.

Sorry thats dreadfully long..

 

[TheresaW]

I would take on a deaf cat with no hesitation. The only allowance I think you would have to make, is that the cat would be totally a house cat. I haven't had a deaf cat before, but I did have a blind cat. She coped really well and as long as we made allowances for her blindness, never leaving doors half open, changing furniture around etc, there was never really a problem.

 

[GinaB]

I wouldn't have a problem keeping a deaf cat, I help with a stone deaf lab (although he went deaf with old age) but as said before, if you are rehoming make sure it is to be kept as a house cat. Too many horrible accidents if let out.

I still find myself talking to the dog or calling him back when he is on walks even though he can't hear!

 

[Mandz]

thanks guys

I am def thinking about keeping it - It is the softest thing ever - just sleeps all day and purrs really loudly when happy.

Would hate to think of it going to the wrong place

Thanks again

Mandz
xx