Dépistage et diagnostic de la surdité chez le chien

Abstract

Screening and diagnosis of deafness in dogs is based on Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response or BAER recording. Deafness is usually classified according to five criteria : determinism, onset, severity, symmetry, and anatomical-functional stage reached. In breeds at risk for hereditary deafness, with white or piebald robes (Dalmatian Dogo argentino, Bull terrier, Australian cattle dog, etc.) or merle (Border collie, Australian shepherd, etc.), screening of breeding animals and newborns should be encouraged to reduce the prevalence of deafness in these breeds. In dogs with acute deafness, hearing impairment should be confirmed by BAERs recording and lesions should be in-vestigated by medical imaging (CT-scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging). Acquired causes of deafness are nu-merous : inflammatory (especially otitis media), toxic (or ototoxicity), traumatic, degenerative (or presbycusis). In acute deafness in dogs, total bilateral deafness is most often irreversible.