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If the sight of guests has left Scruffy speechless, you may be wondering what's amiss. No, your dog has not lost his watchdog capabilities; rather, he has likely lost his voice. Fortunately, in many cases your opinionated dog will gain it back in little or no time.
Hoarse from Barking
In some cases, your canine companion may simply be hoarse from using his vocal cords too much. For instance, if your dog has been boarded lately, he may have spent a good chunk of his time there barking, with the end result of developing a raspy voice. Incessant barking can inflame the vocal cords, causing a bout of laryngitis. Fortunately, with some "voice rest" your dog will soon be back to voicing his opinion in little time.
Hoarse from Surgery
If your dog has recently undergone surgery, his lack of voice may have developed from the placement of the breathing tube during surgery. The endotracheal tube used for the delivery of the anesthetic gas can at times cause irritation, triggering a bout of laryngitis. Voice changes and a slight dry or raspy cough are common symptoms. As miserable as poor Rover may seem, luckily, this form of hoarseness should last no more than a few days.
Hoarse from Laryngeal Paralysis
This condition is most common among older members of larger breeds such as Labrador and golden retrievers, Saint Bernards and Siberian huskies. If your dog opens his mouth to bark and little or no voice comes out, the voice box may have lost its function. Affected dogs may develop a voice change and the bark may sound "hoarse" and raspy. Your dog may try to bark, but only emit a sound that ends in a hoarse, croaky whisper. In more severe cases, affected dogs may also develop episodes of respiratory distress.
Hoarse from Tumor
If your dog is hoarse, you really don't want to be barking up the wrong tree assuming it is nothing. Because there is a slight chance that a dog's inability to bark may be caused by a tumor, it is important to seek veterinary attention. A tumor or growth growing near the larynx or trachea may interfere with the dog's ability to bark. If the vet suspects a growth, he may need to take X-rays and possibly have an endoscopy done.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Writer Bio
Adrienne Farricelli has been writing for magazines, books and online publications since 2005. She specializes in canine topics, previously working for the American Animal Hospital Association and receiving certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Her articles have appeared in "USA Today," "The APDT Chronicle of the Dog" and "Every Dog Magazine." She also contributed a chapter in the book " Puppy Socialization - An Insider's Guide to Dog Behavioral Fitness" by Caryl Wolff.
We recently took a trip to the mountains & my dog stayed at our local vet for 4 nights. He's stayed there before, and we like them b/c each dog has their own room (not just a cage), but a little cement room with window/cot/glass door to look through.
Anyway, he came home with an upset tummy which isn't unusual -- he tends to not eat well when away from us, he's older so change in diet doesn't do well, and he's prone to anxiety around other dogs (which is why we prefer the boarder with private, aka expensive ;), rooms). It sucks, but generally he'll have loose stool for a few days after boarding. (He's up-to-date on all vacs.)
But here's my question...
He's a small dog (big-bone chihuahua) and has always had a sharp, higher-pitched bark (think ARF). Now that he's returned, his bark is DIFFERENT! It's lower-pitched and throaty (think ROOOOF). How's that possible? He's an old dog (13); how can one weekend away change his bark?
Thoughts?
Although every care will be taken to keep your dog healthy and happy during boarding, it is simply impossible for even the most diligent of boarding facilities to provide an environment that is completely sterile.
For this reason, there is still a small chance that your pet will come home from boarding unwell. There are various illnesses that can affect our dogs, but the one that is most commonly seen in canines after kennels is known as kennel cough.
Kennel Cough and Dog Boarding
Kennel cough is a very common infection of the respiratory system and will affect most dogs at least once during their lifetime. It can be caused by a wide range of bacteria and viruses and is highly contagious and airborne. This means that it is very easily spread amongst dogs, particularly when there are a number of them living in close proximity to one another – such as when they are boarding.
Although a dog’s respiratory system is designed to protect them against infections, the stressful nature of boarding combined with the crowded environment means that canines are less able to fight it effectively. Dogs who are also particularly young, elderly, or suffering from existing illness are also more vulnerable.
Can You Vaccinate for Kennel Cough?
There is a vaccination that can be administered against kennel cough. However, since it isn’t considered to be a ‘core’ vaccine, many owners do not get their canine companions immunized against the condition. Even then, the effectiveness of vaccines is not 100% in all dogs and there are many different strains of the condition. This means that there is a small risk that the disease can still be passed between vaccinated canines.
Nevertheless, many boarding facilities will insist that dogs are vaccinated against Bordetella bronchiseptica which is the most common bacteria present in kennel cough. You may be asked to provide proof of an up-to-date vaccination before your dog is allowed to be admitted for boarding.
Symptoms of Kennel Cough
As the name suggests, the most common symptom of kennel cough is a consistent, forceful cough. This can sound like there is something wedged inside your dog’s throat and will sound very dry and hoarse. In some cases, a dog with kennel cough can still bring up mucus when they cough.
Aside from this cough, your dog probably feels fairly well and healthy and is probably eating ok. However, he may also present with other cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, sneezing, and discharge from the eyes.
Is Kennel Cough Dangerous?
Although unpleasant, kennel cough is rarely dangerous, and most dogs will recover from the condition within a few weeks without any treatment. However, in some canines, it can last upwards of six weeks. Your vet will be able to tell you whether they are happy to leave your dog to fight the condition himself or whether they will recommend a course of antibiotics that should help to clear it. Cough suppressants and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be beneficial.
Diarrhea after Dog Boarding
Something else that you might notice after dog boarding is that your precious pooch is experiencing diarrhea in the days after he comes home. Many owners are concerned that this means that their dog has picked up a stomach bug while in kennels. However, this is very unlikely. A great boarding facility will be very diligent with cleaning and ensuring every pet is up to date with their preventative care. In fact, little diarrhea in the first 48 hours after returning home is actually very normal and is often simply due to the excitement that your dog feels about coming back to an environment and people that he loves. You may even notice a little mucus or blood in his bowel movements. Nevertheless, if diarrhea persists more than 48 hours, or is accompanied by other worrying symptoms such as not drinking, it is advisable to get him checked out by your veterinarian in Hoover, AL.
Lethargy after Dog Boarding
Has your dog come home and spent a lot of time sleeping? This is a symptom that concerns many conscientious owners, but again it is actually fairly common. Boarding is usually a very busy environment and your dog will be kept entertained with walks, games, and more so that his mind and body are kept occupied while you are apart. Often it is just a case that he will need to sleep a bit more when first comes home to rest after all the fun that he has had!
Eating or Drinking More after Dog Boarding
Has your pet come home acting like he hasn’t been fed for a week? Rest assured, he most certainly has! Dogs naturally eat and drink less while they are in boarding – something which is generally down to it being a new environment and them feeling less comfortable than they would at home. As a result, they tend to try and catch up on their calories when they get home and will also drink more. This is something that should go back to normal within a few days.
You know your dog better than anyone else and if you have any concerns about his health or wellbeing after boarding in Hoover, AL, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our experienced veterinarians. Contact our Animal Hospital in Hoover, AL today at (205) 822-4779 to arrange a visit.