Deaf cat?

[ParamedFlorena]

Hi!

People are in vacation-mode. A few days ago a kitten started circling around our house. It seemed hungry and we fed it, knowing that our neighbors wouldn't be home in a week. The kitten immediately found a temporary home. He's got a blue eye and a green eye and it entirely white. He's perhaps 9 weeks old and extremely contact-seeking. My daughter and I instantly fell in love with it. How careless it really was, we'll see when his owners are home again and he keeps coming back.

Anyway, it seems as he is deaf. He doesn't react to sounds unless he gets eyecontact. Or perhaps he isn't used to being called at... Is there something I could do to find out for sure if he's deaf?

[opus88]

it is a genetic defect.....most all WHITE CATS WITH BLUE EYES ARE DEAF!!!
strange but very true...I've seen many and read about it too(just not sure where anymore)
good luck with the new baby, these deaf kitties especially need extra care..they are so helpless.

[Savas]

congrat's on the new kitty!

i would suggest getting him (her?) checked out fairly soon; deafness (if he is, which sounds likely) could be a sign of an underlying disorder. Or not.

I'm not trying to worry you, but it's good to know A.S.A.P., especially since many conditions are easily maintainable if discovered early on.

We look forward to seeing a picture in the slideshow. :-)

[ParamedFlorena]

Thank you a lot for the answer. I actually tried when he slept on the couch of mine - comfortable as he is here.... He didn't move an eye nor an ear when I clapped my hands. I'm pretty sure he is deaf.

I mowed the lawn - suddenly he showed up, sniffed the mower being SO curious. I swear I could have made him a new hair-do if I hadn't seen him! I thought most cats would be scared of things as vacuumers and mowers and kitchen gadgets....

I think I'll keep him outside daytime as much as possible. After all, he and our residental cat (yep, Queen of the house) doesn't accept each other at all! I suppose that is as normal as it could ever be lol.

work-night here too - sneaking on to the net in a dash of a moment!

[HelpinUtah]

I have a deaf cat, Daisy.  She's also white.  She was born deaf and she does really well.  The vet had no test other than to claps loudly behind her head to see if she would move.  We also used the vacuum while she was asleep and it did not disturb her at all.  I'm at work and pretty busy and so I'll leave another post later about how we dealt with her being deaf.  She has been so delightful in so many ways.  

Being outside is not good for him though - he cannot hear cars or other animals that might cause him harm.  I feel badly for him that his owners are not being responsible with him.  :(

I'll be back later!

You're so great to be taking care of him!