If your dog has been making an unusual sound recently, it might be time to take him to the vet. A hoarse bark in dogs could be a sign of something serious, like laryngeal paralysis or a tumor on the voice box, or could be nothing of concern. Early diagnosis and treatment are key for preventing long-term damage to your dog's voice. Here are some things you should know about why your dog's bark sounds hoarse.
What produces a hoarse bark in dogs?
The sound of your dog's bark is produced by the larynx, which is located in the throat. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which are two bands of muscle that vibrate when air passes through them. If these muscles are damaged or weakened, they will not be able to vibrate properly and your dog's bark will sound hoarse.
What are some common causes of hoarse bark in dogs?
There are several potential causes of hoarse bark in dogs. The most common causes include inflammatory laryngitis, gastroesophageal reflux, laryngeal paralysis, masses or tumors, and everted laryngeal saccules.
1. Inflammatory laryngitis
This is one of the most common causes of hoarse bark in dogs. It occurs when the tissues of the larynx become inflamed and irritated. This can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, an allergic reaction, or even just excessive barking.
2. Gastroesophageal reflux
This is another common cause of hoarse bark in dogs. It occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus and irritates the larynx. This can be a problem for dogs with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or those who eat too fast and don't chew their food properly.
3. Laryngeal paralysis
Laryngeal paralysis is a condition that affects a dog's larynx or voice box. The laryngeal muscles fail to abduct and adduct the arytenoid cartilage properly. This can cause signs of upper airway obstruction, such as difficulty breathing or a change in voice such as a hoarse bark. Left untreated, laryngeal paralysis can result in extreme difficulty breathing or aspiration pneumonia.
4. Masses or tumours
Masses or tumors on the larynx can also cause hoarse bark in dogs. These growths can interfere with the normal function of the vocal cords and make it difficult for your dog to bark properly. Masses that affect the larynx in dogs can be benign or malignant.
5. Everted laryngeal saccules
This is a condition that occurs when the saccules, or small sacs, in the larynx become everted or turned inside out. Everted laryngeal saccules commonly affect brachycephalic dog breeds and are one of the components of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. This can cause hoarse bark and other respiratory signs such as stridor (a high-pitched sound made when breathing).
How to treat a dog with a hoarse bark
The treatment for hoarse bark in dogs will depend on the underlying cause. If your dog has laryngitis, he may be treated with antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection present or anti-inflammatories if is purely due to inflammation. For gastroesophageal reflux, antacids may be prescribed to help neutralize stomach acid. If your dog has laryngeal paralysis, it may need a surgical procedure called a laryngeal tie-back to make it easier for it to breathe. This involves surgically tying back the affected vocal cord so that it can no longer obstruct the airway. For tumors or masses, surgery may be required to remove the growth. If your dog has everted laryngeal saccules, he may need to be on a course of steroids to help reduce inflammation or surgical removal.
If you notice that your dog lost its voice after excessive barking, the hoarseness should resolve on its own within a few days. However, if the hoarseness persists for more than a week or two, it is important to take your dog to see your veterinarian so that they can rule out any other potential causes.
Common causes of a hoarse bark in dogs include inflammatory laryngitis, gastroesophageal reflux, laryngeal paralysis, masses or tumors, and everted laryngeal saccules. It is essential to have your dog evaluated by your veterinarian so that the underlying cause can be diagnosed and treated appropriately.