My MissMia is Deaf...

[msyorktown]

I'm sorry to hear about Mia Lynzy...i too saw this posted in another thread. So sweet that Mini is there to help her. You're a strong lady with a huge heart..you will get through this and I'm happy you are there as her mommy, to take good care of her. Good thoughts and prayers for you all. (HUGGZZ)

[BlueBelle]

Do you know if she ever had any form of gentimycin (sp)? It can cause deafness.

[bchgirl]

Yes, all biewers have the piebald gene.

But they should not have blue eyes which is indicative of the merle gene. I would venture to guess there was another breed introduced into your pup's line somewhere. What that may be I don't know.

In mia's case her deafness is not related to the piebald gene.

I can ask other's opinions if you like.

[sophias mommy]

I am so sorry to read this . Poor Mia. Hugs and prayers for you and Mia.

[Wylie's Mom]

Thinking of you and Mia. It's got to be so difficult to go through, but I *know* she will thrive with you as her Mama. I really like what Deb said "Mia doesn't know she is deaf." -- that right there is so true...and I didn't really think of it like that until she said it. Lots of hugs to you .

[KimInMD]

Aww Lynzy, I'm so very sorry. Please trust me. What seems horrible now, will be no big deal very soon. My old gal, Lucy is deaf. Btw, she never barks either. We all sign to her and she understands perfectly. I am very careful to keep her hair out of her eyes, and yes, she startles easily when she is touched while asleep or when she is grabbed from behind. I always keep a night light on for her, and leave lights on if I'll be out past dark. My Lola looks out for her, and knows the command "Go get Lucy". She always knows where Lucy is! I also flash the hall lights when I come in to let Lucy know I'm home. Her id tag says she is deaf, just in case she is ever lost. We communicate perfectly, and she can clearly tell me what she wants or needs.
You are such a good, loving Mommy to your babies. There isn't a doubt in my mind that all will be fine. Your MissMia is blessed to have landed on your doorstep. It was destiny! Even so, I know this is such a big blow to you. I'm sorry that things have been so rough lately. I pray things turn around for you soon. Sending hugs!

[107barney]

I'm sorry Lynzy. I'm so glad Ms. Mia is with you.

[MyTrixie143]

I'm sorry to hear Mia is deaf. She will be just fine though.

I was in denial too about Peppi's deafness. Hers is from old age and it was hard to admit she was deaf. The thing is she isn't completely deaf like a human would be. She can still hear vibrations or frequencies I can't. She can hear when the food hits her bowl, she comes running!! But she can't hear me speaking to her or the other dogs barking. Just certain vibrations and pitches.

You can teach Mia sign language and she won't ever know she is different. She is very lucky to have found you as she will be in great hands!!

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Oh, so sorry to read this. Little Miss Mia is one lucky girl to have you for a mommy to take such good care of her.

[jadabug]

I am so sorry about Mia's diagnosis, but I am sure with your love and care she will never know that she has a disability.

[bchgirl]

I had to come back and comment again. Is your vet determining she is merle simply because she has blue eyes? Because being merle would also affect her coat coloring. I looked at your pictures but I couldn't see her coloring well and in some pics she had on clothes.

These are merle dogs sometimes called dappled.

http://www.dappledachshundpuppies.co...MG_3524_2_.JPG

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...iqxAC7h79ATzTK

http://www.dogsindepth.com/herding_d..._merle_h03.jpg

Dalmatians carry the sw piebald gene, not merle. This is called extreme piebald. They can also produce puppies with blue eyes. This is because the same gene responsible for their lack of color...can also suppress the pigment in the eye which results in the blue color.

Many breeds produce deaf puppies but scientifically there is a prevalence in breeds which carry sp, sw piebald and the merle gene.

Not all blue eyed dogs are deaf and not all deaf dogs have blue eyes. Not all white dogs with blue eyes are deaf but they are more prone. White cats with blue eyes are also frequently deaf.

There are many many breeds who carry piebald genes...boston terriers, cotons (who are all white and considered one big white spot), beagles, english cockers, bull terriers, jack russels..and the list goes on and on.

Your breeder needs to be informed and she should never repeat that breeding. Personally I wouldn't advise breeding to any animal which has produced a deaf puppy.

A long time ago there was a blue eyed puppy for sale on puppyfind. This is the only blue eyed biewer I have ever seen.

Hth.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I'm so sorry to read this. Hopefully she can adapt & live a pretty normal life. I know you will watch her extra closely. Poor, sweet baby. Give her hugs from Tibbe & me!!!

[lynzy420]

This is part of a private msg I sent to someone but wanted to post it here in the hopes that the info helps others that come here for information down the line.



I don't understand all this Merle and Piebald thing...there were 2 vets, Mini's regular and the other from the Island. These vets are top notch in the area, they are THE 24/7 Emergency Vet as well and have 3 offices. They really are awesome and Its actually a good distance from me!

Now both vets readily admit that neither of them have even examined a Biewer (I really don't think there are any around here) Small dog parks NEVER any there. With that said, he was a bit brisk, said "from the looks of her shes not a very good specimen of Biewer" (he did some research) He said her body is indicative of the Merle and showed me pics of Merle dogs and a Dalmation..He determined shes deaf and said that there is a "Bear"(sp) test that can be done, though he didn't think there was a need. Her body is very pink, paws are black and pink and I always thought she had dark blue eyes he looked in them and said something like "usually they have light blue eyes but hers are dark blue flecks(?) pink rims, pink spots on nose (she does not have a pink nose) I'm sorry but this is all beyond my comprehension I don't recall specifics... It was all very confusing and uninteresting after he declared her deaf Then he went on to explain the different breeds with Piebald and extreme Piebald and his experience with them etc., I'm now questioning what he said but am going to see my regular vet tomorrow as she knew I was becoming perturbed, I didn't like HIM and I think its just because I didn't like what I was hearing....My husband said that the bottom line is she is deaf and obviously not standard for a Biewer and the breeders need to be told.

Mia's body is as follows: Black head gold eyebrows, small gold on each side of mouth" her body is like a dalmations and her "saddle (?)" is about the size of a pancake and very irregular shaped, she has a plume for a tail and thats pretty much it. MissMia does not have any attributes of the Yorkie per say...she has long legs, and is much taller than Mini she is not BIG by any means but she just don't have the same shape in general of a Yorkie...Quite frankly the other day I said "she looks like a miniature Springer Spaniel!!!"

This is part of a private msg I sent to someone but wanted to post it here in the hopes that the info helps others that come here for information down the line.

I want to be clear here about one thing, I do not understand this whole PieBald and extreme Piebald and Merle etc., etc., I don't understand the whole genetics thing and everytime I try to, my brain shuts off (that is common for me when I don't want to know something) Its not that I am not interested (truthfully I'm not) unless I really need to be. If her health etc., depends on it then I will educate myself.

Quite frankly once they deemed her deaf I didn't hear too much afterwards...and honestly, I need laymans terminology!

I want to get this straightened out because I don't want misinformation for others down the line. I am going to the vet tomorrow for unrelated reasons but have already told her we need to revisit this conversation because I just didn't understand.

I think alot of my problem right now is I am genuinely upset about the whole thing like a momma would be, I know its uneccessary but I just feel so badly for MissMia and the whole situation. It will pass, and btw, Miss Mia does NOT know shes deaf and she is very very very much loved...

Funny thing is we have been teaching her sign language (our version) without even realizing it! We don't teach her to sit because Miss Mini can't sit (leggs perthe surgery) but we teach her lay down and we do it like bowing with both hands! we point to the back right arm stretched all the way out which is to go in her house...twirling finger means go potty...its just so funny that we've already done this! Mini is her true leader (despite Mini's resistance) Mia follows Mini's cue for everything!

Also, I have Mia's mothers and fathers papers...both parents are from an obvious Puppy Broker, teddybearfaces.com....I did call there today...they could care less and someone will get back to me...I am going to her parents (where I got her from today) Its a mansion, he is a Dr. she is a professor, and I am going to walk their grounds to make sure they are not breeding, will be looking for kennels etc., afterwards I'm going to ring their doorbell. They were very nice people and I don't think that they bred their pup intentionally, rather it was carelessly. Communication was a problem as they are foreign. As I said earlier though they were very nice people and the Dr. (male) literrally had tears when I took her away, he called on the way home and he called for a few days after. He also gave me my money back and offered to take her back and pay Dr. bills. from the heart situation. My husband and I having had horrid experiences in the past decided to just walk away from him.

Also; Judging from the beautiful YT pups, I know MissMia is not a great "specimen" of the breed, but her mother was very pretty and did look exactly like my Yorkie in body shape etc., but her coloring etc., was just as pretty as many of my YT Biewer friends~

Sorry this is so long, I've about exhausted myself with this, I'm now going in circles...my poor baby!

I will say this, I love that little poopie face MissMia!

[lynzy420]

do you think I ramble much???? This is me when I'm mentally exhausted!! I'm a bit embarrassed at the above post...its always different when it happens to you....

Thanks to all of you for helping so much.....and for your patience!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

I saw you'd posted this on an earlier thread and I wanted to give you some information. I am not familiar with Mia's heart issue nor the treatment she is receiving for this.

Deafness can be from a variety of issues...inherited or acquired. Acquired may be from ear infections, trauma, medications.

Congenital deafness occurs in a variety of breeds. It's likely the cause may never be determined.

There are two genes which deafness appears more prevalent. One is the merle gene and the other is piebald. Not all breeds who carry these genes exhibit the problem. There is more understanding on how deafness occurs with the merle gene and less so with piebald. Deafness is not considered dominate since it can be produced by two hearing parents....nor is it a simple recessive because two deaf dogs can produce a pup with hearing.

I am heavily involved with biewers. Sit on the board of directors for the BBCA. We as a group are invested in the health of these dogs. I will not tell you it is not related to her piebald gene. I don't know that. Deafness also occurs in standard colored yorkies.

I can tell you...it is a very small biewer world and this is not something that is occurring repeatedly. I know of one single biewer and I also know of a parti yorkshire puppy. I view it as any other health issue...it "may" happen.

Recently we were camping...the group camped beside us were all deaf and so were the 4 dogs who accompanied them.

A link you may want to read.

Genetics of Deafness in Dogs

On a last note...Mia doesn't know she's deaf.

I will be interested in hearing what your vet has to say.

Great information, in your opinion, what should a responsible breeder do, if one of the offspring develops deafness? Should they stop breeding both the dogs involved in the mating?

lynzy420, I just want to say, I'm sorry for the news you received, so glad there's no other problems. When I was doing lots of training with Joey, I noticed he learned much faster with hand signals then he did words. This is a good site that has some good tips on training. DDEAF Training Hand Signs Sending you a big hug.


Deb, I just saw that you answered in post 26!