Results: 2018 General Health Survey
Ear/Hearing
Conditions listed in the Ear/Hearing category were reported in 8.5% (99) of 1,171 surveys completed across all breeds/varieties surveyed.
Considering the entire population surveyed:
Considering the entire population surveyed:
- Deafness related to advanced age had a consistent age of onset across all breeds/varieties of approximately 12 years of age.
- Age-related deafness appeared to disproportionately affect Toy Manchesters, however a direct comparison can only be made with Standard Manchester Terriers as the age of the MT (UK/FCI) and ETT populations skewed significantly younger (for example, while 35% of TMTs reported on were aged 11 years or above, just 10% of ETTs fell in the same age range and the ETT sample was also smaller).
- Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss that was not related to age was reported in 2.4% of MTs and 2.2% of SMTs as compared to 0.4% of ETTs and 0% of TMTs.
Conditions
The following conditions are referenced below in the analysis for this section. The explanation for each disease/condition provided in the survey is included for reference:
- Chronic Ear Infections
- Deafness (Unilateral -- one ear)
- Deafness (Bilateral -- both ears)
- Deafness related to advanced age
Toy Manchester Terriers
Deafness related to advanced age affected 38 Toy Manchesters, representing 12.5% of the total surveyed population and 35% of the 109 Toy Manchesters reported on in the survey who were 11 years of age or older. 34 owners provided information pointing to median age at onset of 12 years. No Toy Manchesters were identified as having bilateral or unilateral deafness that was not age related.
Other ear related problems in Toy Manchester Terriers included one dog with chronic ear infections (0.3%) and one owner who indicated in the ‘other’ section that his/her dog’s ears required regular cleaning and drops.
Deafness related to advanced age affected 38 Toy Manchesters, representing 12.5% of the total surveyed population and 35% of the 109 Toy Manchesters reported on in the survey who were 11 years of age or older. 34 owners provided information pointing to median age at onset of 12 years. No Toy Manchesters were identified as having bilateral or unilateral deafness that was not age related.
Other ear related problems in Toy Manchester Terriers included one dog with chronic ear infections (0.3%) and one owner who indicated in the ‘other’ section that his/her dog’s ears required regular cleaning and drops.
Standard Manchester Terriers
Deafness related to advanced age affected nine Standard Manchesters, representing 4.8% of the total surveyed population and 14% of the 64 Standards Manchesters reported on in the survey who were 11 years of age or older. Seven owners provided information pointing to a median age at onset of 12 years.
An additional two (1.1%) Standard Manchesters were identified as having bilateral deafness that was not age related and two more (1.1%) as having unilateral hearing that was not related to age. Information on age of onset was provided for two individuals who were both deaf in both ears (bilateral) at birth. The owner of one explained that, though the dog regained hearing by 18 months according to BAER testing, her verbal skills did not develop and she was reactive when processing some sounds and tones.
Five Standard Manchester Terriers were reported with chronic ear infections (2.7%).
Deafness related to advanced age affected nine Standard Manchesters, representing 4.8% of the total surveyed population and 14% of the 64 Standards Manchesters reported on in the survey who were 11 years of age or older. Seven owners provided information pointing to a median age at onset of 12 years.
An additional two (1.1%) Standard Manchesters were identified as having bilateral deafness that was not age related and two more (1.1%) as having unilateral hearing that was not related to age. Information on age of onset was provided for two individuals who were both deaf in both ears (bilateral) at birth. The owner of one explained that, though the dog regained hearing by 18 months according to BAER testing, her verbal skills did not develop and she was reactive when processing some sounds and tones.
Five Standard Manchester Terriers were reported with chronic ear infections (2.7%).
Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI)
Deafness related to advanced age affected 20 Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI), representing 4.4% of the total surveyed population and 23% of the 87 Manchesters reported on in the survey who were 11 years of age or older. 18 owners provided information pointing to median age at onset of 12 years.
An additional seven (1.5%) of Manchesters were identified as having bilateral deafness that was not age related and four more (0.9%) as having unilateral hearing that was not related to age. Information on age of onset was provided for two individuals. One was bilaterally deaf with BAER testing showing “complete deafness in one ear and 85% in the other” at 6 weeks. The other showed signs of deafness at 4 weeks with a veterinary diagnosis of “cochlear deafness, pigmentation cells in the ear that disappear soon after birth”. While age at onset data was not provided for all dogs, it is interesting to note that three of the four dogs with unilateral hearing loss were three years old and the fourth was seven years old as of the date the survey was completed, with one of the bilaterally deaf dogs (not reported on above) aged two years old. From this ancillary data we can confirm with confidence that at least six of the 11 Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) reported to have unilateral or bilateral hearing loss were affected at a young age.
Other ear related problems in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) included two dogs with chronic ear infections (0.4%) and one owner who used the other section to report ear rim necrosis “worsening in cold conditions (winter).”
Deafness related to advanced age affected 20 Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI), representing 4.4% of the total surveyed population and 23% of the 87 Manchesters reported on in the survey who were 11 years of age or older. 18 owners provided information pointing to median age at onset of 12 years.
An additional seven (1.5%) of Manchesters were identified as having bilateral deafness that was not age related and four more (0.9%) as having unilateral hearing that was not related to age. Information on age of onset was provided for two individuals. One was bilaterally deaf with BAER testing showing “complete deafness in one ear and 85% in the other” at 6 weeks. The other showed signs of deafness at 4 weeks with a veterinary diagnosis of “cochlear deafness, pigmentation cells in the ear that disappear soon after birth”. While age at onset data was not provided for all dogs, it is interesting to note that three of the four dogs with unilateral hearing loss were three years old and the fourth was seven years old as of the date the survey was completed, with one of the bilaterally deaf dogs (not reported on above) aged two years old. From this ancillary data we can confirm with confidence that at least six of the 11 Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) reported to have unilateral or bilateral hearing loss were affected at a young age.
Other ear related problems in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) included two dogs with chronic ear infections (0.4%) and one owner who used the other section to report ear rim necrosis “worsening in cold conditions (winter).”
English Toy Terriers
Deafness related to advanced age affected 5 English Toy Terriers, representing 2.2% of the total surveyed population and 21% of the 24 ETTs reported on in the survey who were/are 11 years of age or older. All five owners provided information pointing to median age at onset of 12 years. An additional one (0.4%) ETT was identified as having bilateral deafness that was not age related, with his owner indicating he was born deaf.
Two English Toy Terriers were reported with chronic ear infections (0.9%).
Deafness related to advanced age affected 5 English Toy Terriers, representing 2.2% of the total surveyed population and 21% of the 24 ETTs reported on in the survey who were/are 11 years of age or older. All five owners provided information pointing to median age at onset of 12 years. An additional one (0.4%) ETT was identified as having bilateral deafness that was not age related, with his owner indicating he was born deaf.
Two English Toy Terriers were reported with chronic ear infections (0.9%).