Dogs flying

"C J Campbell" wrote:

Exposure to prolonged engine and propeller noise
definitely will cause hearing loss in humans, just as
prolonged exposure to rock and roll will.

Then it follows that it *could* potentially cause hearing loss in dogs as well.
Just because a dog bark is loud and they carry on with it for extended periods
doesn't mean that has the same effect on their hearing as a constantly running
engine at that specific level.

Dogs, however, can and do create noise that is just
as loud and prolonged without any apparent hearing
loss on their part,

Such as? and where is this study?

Most dogs, in fact, do not appear to hear all that well.
It is too easy to sneak up on them, for example, if you
do it from downwind. They will not respond to
whispered commands.

Really? I've owned many dogs, and I'm pretty light on my feet, and I've never
been able to sneak up on one until they were well into old age and *obviously*
hard of hearing. And as far as not responding to a whisper, I can whisper the
word "cookie" while she's asleep and my JRT jumps up and runs to the jar. I'd
say your statement depends on the dog in question.

Unfortunately, there don't appear to be any serious
studies measuring hearing loss in dogs due to noise
hazards. Anything veterinarians have to say in this
regard may be no better informed than what any dog
owner would say. It is all based on speculation and
anecdotal experience.

On that, I completely agree. Even a veterinarian's opinion *is* JUST that on
whether or not taking a dog in an airplane on a regular basis without providing
some form of ear protection would or would not be harmful to their hearing. As
said in a previous post, it all boils down to what you are comfortable with,
since the dog really has no choice (other than to make it extremely unpleasant
for you if he/she is unhappy!).

--Shirley

Maybe active noise reduction is the way to go. A lightweight ANR headset may be
easier to get the dogs to live with. You (the pilot) would then use the old
rickety ones you reserved for passengers you don't like very much.

Jose

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(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

If the truth be known, the long-term effect is more applicable to humans
than dogs. Compared to humans, dogs have a relatively (unfortunately) short
life and as a consequence have a shorter potential of exposure than do
humans. Further factor, into it that the dog (presumably) isn't going to be
flying as often as its' human companion.

If you were to ask if I would do it (i.e, take my dog ((or God forbid one of
my catsgrin))), I would say no,,,, unless it was a dog that been exposed
to flight from puppyhood. Also, if you were to ask if I would get my dog
hearing protection (despite the facts regarding a relatively short-term
exposure), I probably would.... Of course, I got my first dog (a small
American Eskimo) a sweater,,,, so I can't claim to be driven by logic,
either grin

And now,,,,, since I obviously possess the sum total of all human
wisdom,,,,,,, the thread is closed.......... ;-) .... just kidding....
g

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Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

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