Has Benji Become Deaf?

[PiggyOinkOink]

My Benji appears to not react to sound anymore. I don't know how long this has been going on but I just noticed it in the past month. If I put the hoover on or even the hand vacuum in the cage he never reacts even though it is right next to him! The other piggies just run away pretty much like Speedy Gonzales lol. I have tried to clap by the side of the cage so he can't see it, thus not reacting to visual stimuli but he still doesn't seem affected. He has always been the kind of piggy that has no fear of anyone, new or known, and will not run away if someone comes up to the cage to pet him.

He also does not make any wheeks ever! He used to when he was younger and a few times then I heard him chirp but he seems to be the silent type now; although he will express annoyance if I grab him to pick him up. I'm not sure if this is normal or connected to any deafness?

Can someone suggest some methods to test for deafness or will I have to take him to the vet to find this out?

 

[Galaxy&nibbles]

I'm sorry I cant help but I hope someone else can soon and I hope he's just a no fear piggy still and not in fact deaf.

 

[Elwickcavies]

You know your boy best, and I have to say it does sound like he may be a bit hard of hearing. I would expect some reaction to a loud noise (often the ears will twitch) and the lack of wheeking may also point to that. You have already done all the tests I know of to check hearing, but it wouldn't hurt see the vet. That said, it's clearly not an issue for him and unless he has a build-up of wax, there's nothing to be done.

 

[GPTV]

I know this sounds daft... But what about the plastic bag test?
It may not work, but try rustling a carrier/plastic bag next to him every time u feed him. When you rustle a bag after a few attempts he should get a little excited as food is imminent
Some piggies are already "conditioned" to this test .... Or the fridge door test
I find that the "carrot-snap" test can
Produce the same wheek'y result!
Basically snap a carrot in half &then feed him it.

Hopefully he's just like my Grace &the dogs can bark, you can drop cutlery or crockery, generally cLonk around clattering &banging in the same room as her &she doesn't bat an eyelid but if you call her for food she comes running
She's just very relaxed. Hopefully he's just the same
The other two still run around like headless chickens at the slightest noises!
Hope u can get to the bottom of it. Xx

 

[PiggyOinkOink]

Well I tried the clap test again and I think he is just like your Grace as after the 2nd clap he got scared and at the 3rd one he ran into his house. I'm guessing that he has more tolerance to noise than the rest as he was originally a pet shop pig so was likely used to lots of strange noises, especially as where he was held was where they had lots of birds and the constant bubbling of aquariums.

 

[GPTV]

ahh that's good then glad he's ok.
Grace is a very chilled out piggy nothing seems to phase her

Its lovely they can relax so well in our presence. This shows they trust
Us more
Does he do lots of chooken legs too?

Aww pet shop piggy -perhaps he had a noisy bird squawking next to him too at some point

Xx

 

[Elwickcavies]

The little tinker! I'm very glad it's only selective hearing.

 

[PiggyOinkOink]

Does he do lots of chooken legs too?

 

[Caron's Cavies]

Awww so glad Benji is just a chilled out piggy which his pictures certainly seem to show.

Love his chooken legs