Sore throat in dogs
Does your dog have a hoarse voice? Coughs occasionally or seems embarrassed to eat? It's possible that your dog has a sore throat, an uncommon health problem among our four-legged friends.
Even though this condition is rare, there is no need to be overly concerned: throat irritation in dogs is often benign. To determine what is causing your dog's sore throat and what to do about it, here is some information on this symptom, its causes and possible treatments.
Symptoms of a sore throat in dogs
A dog with a sore throat has a hoarser or raspy voice, which you may notice by an unusual-sounding bark. He may also cough, either spontaneously or between barks, or wheeze or be louder than usual.
If your dog's throat is severely irritated, he may be quieter than usual to avoid pain when barking. He may also have difficulty swallowing, which manifests itself as excessive drooling often accompanied by frequent licking of the lips and anorexia.
Causes of sore throat in dogs
Many things can irritate your dog's throat, some of which are directly related to his environment or lifestyle, others of which are infectious causes or due to degeneration of the respiratory tract.
Sore Throat Due to the Dog's Environment
One of the most common causes of throat irritation in dogs is smoke, especially cigarette smoke, which can be permanently present in some homes. Similarly, fumes from irritants (ammonia, detergents, smoke, etc.) can also irritate your dog's airways.
Dogs that bark a lot and have recently been vocalizing with great enthusiasm may also suffer from partial or total voice loss. Some dogs also suffer tracheal damage from pulling on their leash, with the collar pressing hard against their neck.
Sore throat due to infectious diseases in dogs
Many bacteria and viruses can cause a dog to cough, which, if repeated, will irritate your dog's throat. A dry, chronic cough can also be caused by heart disease, so be aware if your dog's throat irritation is coupled with this symptom.
Viruses and bacteria can cause sore throats in dogs, and you can usually detect this condition by looking at the back of your pet's mouth, which is quite red. Usually, a viral or bacterial infection is accompanied by other symptoms, typically fever and depression or even anorexia. If you notice these symptoms, contact a veterinarian to get some advice and possibly make an appointment to have your dog treated if his condition requires it.
Sore throat due to degeneration of the dog's respiratory system
There are two common degenerations of the dog's respiratory system that can cause a more or less intense sore throat. Laryngeal paralysis is caused by nerve damage resulting in a loss of motor skills in the muscles that allow the dog to use its larynx.
The cartilages of the larynx contain a valve that opens and closes with the dog's breathing to allow air to pass through, while protecting the lungs from external pathogens and false airway. As the dog ages, the body gradually degenerates and the pharyngeal valve does not move as well, causing breathing difficulties and possibly a hoarse or raspy voice.
The only possible treatment for this problem is surgery, and it is important to have your dog operated on as soon as possible before he suffocates. Tracheal collapse is a degeneration of the cartilage supporting the trachea, which causes a collapse and a total or partial closure of the trachea, which is supposed to let air pass to the dog's lungs.
This condition usually occurs gradually, and is largely favored by obesity and lack of physical activity. The dog presents a dry cough when excited or after intense physical exercise, associated, in advanced cases, with noisy breathing and shortness of breath.
Medication can solve the problem, but surgery with a stent is sometimes necessary in severe cases. Sore throat in dogs can affect different organs (larynx, pharynx, trachea...) and should not be confused with a disease.
It is indeed a symptom, which can hide a bacterial or viral infection, or even lesions of the respiratory tract. If there are no alarming signs, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever or depression, it's likely that your doggy has simply been pushing his voice too hard or breathing cigarette smoke too closely.