Signs of Voice Loss in Dogs
When dogs lose their voices, it can be for the same reasons as humans – either due to an illness such as a cold or because of excessive barking. It can also be the cause of a range of conditions such as respiratory disorders.
If your dog has had a cold, you may notice that during the period of the illness or shortly after the other symptoms have disappeared, its voice starts to sound hoarse and strained. Likewise, if your dog has been barking incessantly for a pretty lengthy period, you may find that it puts so much strain on the voice box that it loses its voice.
So, what are the signs that your dog has lost its voice? Well, it may stay completely quiet for far longer periods than usual. However, if your dog is the type that barks at anything, it won’t be able to resist. When it tries to bark you may notice a rasping sound and the bark will sound much weaker than usual.
Your dog may also show signs of distress when it loses is voice, which could include tail ticking and acting in a subdued manner, whining if it is able to get its voice out, and a loss of appetite. However, the signs can vary based on the cause of the voice loss.
Looking at your dog’s body language is important because it can provide you with a better idea of the cause of the voice loss. While excessive barking and the effects of a cold are common reasons behind loss of voice, there could be more sinister causes that you have to consider.
If your dog shows signs of labored breathing, coughs a lot, or makes squeaking noises, it could be a sign of obstruction. If it is caused by a respiratory problem, your dog may be wheezing or turning away from food because of swallowing difficulties. It may also spend time trying to hide somewhere quiet, as dogs often do when they are unwell.
Signs your pooch may have lost their voice include:
More signs you should watch for if you think your dog has lost their voice are:
The History of Dogs Losing Their Voice
Studies that have been carried out into canine health over the years have concluded that a dog can lose its voice for a variety of different reasons in the same way as humans can. This includes overuse of the vocal chords, which is a common reason for short-term voice loss.
However, there are also other conditions that can cause longer-term issues, which is why experts state that dogs should receive medical attention quickly if they lose their voice in case the root cause is something more serious. Some of the causes that have been identified through years of study into canine voice loss include laryngeal collapse, obstruction of the airway, injury to the vocal chords, infections, and respiratory problems.
For dog owners, it is important not to dismiss loss of voice and assume that it is down to something simple, because this may not be the case. Some causes of voice loss can be very serious, which is something that has been discovered through historical research into canine health. This makes it all the more important to get your dog checked out by the vet if it does lose its voice, particularly if the voice loss continues over a longer period.
Signs Of Voice Loss In Dogs
When a human or a dog loses its voice, it does not happen instantaneously. No one suddenly fades off mid-sentence or mid-bark. Instead, it starts to waver or become strained, and the symptoms simply get worse in time. The inability to produce sound may last only for a few hours or it may last several days, depending on the cause. When it does last longer, it is much easier for humans to notice their dogs’ sudden silence.
If you have a pretty vocal dog that likes to bark a lot, then it is easy to observe any changes especially when the voice loss does not accompany an illness. You may start to notice that your pooch will have a weaker bark or produce a rasping sound. This may also cause your pet to be distressed and start acting subdued or begin to ticking its tail. You may also observe it whining and even lose its appetite.
The symptoms will vary, however, based on the cause of the voice loss. Your dog’s body language will also help you decide whether the reason is serious enough to get help. Losing the voice due to excessive barking or because of a cold will not be as long-lasting as if there is another reason. Other symptoms will also determine the cause. For example, coughing, labored breathing or squeaking sounds might point to an obstruction.
The challenge of catching a dog that has lost its voice is the fact that most dog owners are away from their pets most of the time. Thus, they have to keep their eyes out for unusual behavior these pets display when they do not feel normal. They may decide to hide somewhere quiet because they feel unwell and tuck their tail. They may also display raspy panting, snorting, wheezing, or pawing at their mouth. You may also observe head turning and lip licking. Lastly, you might see it having problems breathing and swallowing.
Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs
Many of us know what it is like to lose our voice due to some form of throat irritation. Whether it’s due to a current cold or singing your heart out at a concert, losing your normal speaking voice is a strange feeling.
Our dogs may not speak the same way that you and I do, but they still have a voice that they use to communicate with the world around them. So, since our canine companions talk in their own way, does this mean dogs can also lose their voice? The answer to this question is yes, dogs can lose their voice, but there are a few important factors to be aware of when it comes to voice loss in dogs!
To make sure you understand the potential cause(s) of your dog’s sudden voice loss, let’s dive into the underlying causes that can be to blame below.