Why does a dog’s bark change?
Although the sound they make may be different, dogs produce sound via vocal cords in a similar way to humans. A dogs vocal cords are located in the throat, specifically in the larynx above the trachea. The larynx is held together by ligaments. Dogs vocal cords are thick, allowing them to bark very loudly.
Also known as the ‘voice box’ in humans, the larynx is lined with mucosa, but it does not have cilia (the tiny hairs which help movement within the ducts). Although the larynx is supposed to have a layer of thin mucus to protect the larynx and help it function, when thicker mucus appears, the lack of cilia means it can be difficult to move it.
Additionally, the larynx is the most sensitive area in terms of coughing. By simply placing a finger on the laryngeal area, we can provoke the swallowing reflex and gagging. This also happens when pressure is placed on the area from outside, such as what happens when a leash pulls against their collar. Take a look at why dogs dry cough and gag to know more.
It is the condition of the vocal cords and larynx which change the dogs bark and cause them to be hoarse (dysphonia) or lose their voice altogether (aphonia). The reasons behind this change in bark tone, volume and intonation can be due to various pathologies or other circumstances. We should note the difference between a sudden change in a dogs bark or a progressive development of hoarseness.
Below, we look at individual reasons why a dog bark changes in more detail.
When the laryngeal mucosa become inflamed and swollen, it is known as laryngitis. The main symptom of laryngitis in dogs is a change in the dogs bark, usually becoming hoarse or being lost altogether if there is sufficient inflammation.
Pathological causes of laryngitis in dogs are varied. Acute infections are some of the most common. Whether viral, bacterial or fungal, when an infection reaches the larynx, the inflammation leads to hoarseness, often exacerbated by high mucus production. When the dog is immunosuppressed for whatever reason, this can also lead to inflammation in the larynx as the immune system tries to fight infections.
There are some common infections which can make a dogs bark become hoarse. One such infection is kennel cough in dogs. This is an infectious form of bronchitis which can be spread easily to other dogs. This and other respiratory infections in dogs should be suspected if other dogs in your family start losing their bark.
Treatment of laryngitis will depend on the underlying cause. For example, bacterial infections may require antibiotics, whereas treatment of viral infections are usually limited to symptom management.
Another reason for laryngitis in dogs and a change to your dogs bark is excessive barking. If your dog barks all night or seems to bark at nothing very easily, they can become hoarse. This is similar to humans speaking too much or shouting in a loud area.
The reasons why a dog barks a lot are multifaceted. Some dogs have a predisposition to barking due to their genetic inheritance, with some breeds being naturally more vociferous than others. This is only a small part of why dogs bark. Their socialization, their experience, their treatment, their routine and much more influence how much noise they make.
If a dog is bored and frustrated, they will bark at any stimulus which enters their environment. This is because they are lacking mental stimulation. If they have been poorly socialized, they will bark at anything which comes near them due to a fear of the unknown. Sometimes there might be exceptional circumstances which results in the dog barking a lot, such as during a storm or similar traumatic event.
Since the result can be inflammation of the larynx and a hoarse bark, we should find out how to treat the underlying problem. If you are unable to determine or treat the problem, you should speak to a dog trainer or canine ethologist.
But sometimes the dog has stopped barking or becomes hoarse without sustained vocalizations such as barking or coughing. In these cases, the dog may be facing laryngeal paralysis. This disorder mostly occurs in geriatric senior dogs which are large in size. It is a more common health problem in breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter and Saint Bernard, among others. In breeds such as the Siberian Husky or the English Bull Terrier, it is considered a hereditary defect.
The clinical picture of laryngeal paralysis is composed of the following symptoms:
Our veterinarian can diagnose this condition by direct observation of the vocal cords with the help of a laryngoscope. The vocal cords will appear joined in the middle, when they should be separated. This manages to narrow the respiratory passage at larynx, causing hoarseness. Treatment involves surgical intervention. In some cases, the vocal cords will need to be removed and the dog will stop barking permanently.
There are many different symptoms of gastrointestinal disease in dogs. While vomiting and diarrhea are common, there are many others which may not be as directly obvious.
Canine gastritis, acid reflux and other digestive issues can cause the dog to vomit gastric acid. Since the larynx is located at the back of the throat, it is possible vomiting and acid reflux can cause harm to the vocal cords. The result is the dog becoming hoarse, especially if the problem is chronic. Treating the underlying reason for the gastrointestinal issue will be the way to treat the problem.
Although inflammation can occur due to viruses and other more common pathologies, it is also possible neoplasia can develop on the larynx. In these cases, they are known as polyps as they are abnormal growths which develop from mucosa. Polyps may develop as a result of excessive barking or even due to damage caused by a foreign object entering the throat.
Both benign and malign tumors (cancer) can also develop on the larynx. In these cases, you will likely observe other symptoms in addition to hoarseness in the dogs bark. You may see blood coming from the dogs mouth and may eventually see a weakening of their entire organism. Although laryngeal polyps and cancers are rare in dogs, they can be fatal[1]. This is another important reason why it is so important to take the dog to a veterinarian if our dogs bark changes either suddenly or progressively.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to My Dogs Bark Has Changed, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category. References
1. Sugimoto, K., Kanda, T., Mitsui, I., Miyabe, M., & Maeta, N. (2020). A laryngeal inflammatory polyp in a miniature dachshund. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 6(3), 342-347.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vms3.275
Myasthenia Gravis
Canine Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a rare disease your dog can either inherit or acquire later in life. If inherited, it results in poor muscle development and muscles that don’t contract correctly. This poor musculature and structure occurs because of a defect in the number of sodium-transporting receptors throughout the body. The result is that your dog might suddenly and without warning collapse after exercising.
Although canine MG isn’t likely to cause issues with bark suddenly later in life when inherited, it can cause problems if acquired. Dogs with adult-acquired MG often develop antibodies that destroy the sodium receptors on most cells throughout the body. Because sodium is a critical electrolyte, the entire body (including the bark) can be affected).
Scientists aren’t sure what causes sodium receptor destruction. But they do know it causes a significant number of complications throughout a dog’s life. These “side effects” include aspiration pneumonia, neck and head weakness, overall fatigue. Some dogs also develop a condition called “megaesophagus;” the esophagus weakens and grows larger, making it difficult for your dog’s body to move food through the esophagus and into the stomach.
Laryngeal Paralysis
If your furry best friend is a giant breed and a senior, and his or her bark changes, this is also a red flag. Such changes can occur because of a condition called Laryngeal Paralysis (LP).
Vets don’t completely understand why LG happens, but many experts believe the source involves the muscles that aid in closing and opening the cartilage over the trachea. In many cases, only one side of these cartilage structures are affected and doesn’t retract completely at first. Eventually, both sides can be affected.
In its early stages, LG may cause your friend to bark harshly or whistle when barking. These signs might be especially noticeable when he or she is panting heavily or after a period of running and playing. These changes are the result of cartilage structure sluggishness that makes it more difficult for the air to flow past the trachea and into your furry friend’s lungs.
If your dog is having severe trouble breathing as a result of LG, he or she might need surgery to move some of the cartilage out of the way to open the airways.
Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It may result from upper respiratory tract infection or by direct irritation from inhalation of dust, smoke or irritating gas, or foreign objects. It can also be caused by the trauma of a breathing tube placed during surgery or excessive vocalization (barking).