Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx in dogs. Relatively straightforward symptoms characterize the disease.
You can read here for the signs that give you a hint that you should immediately go to the vet with your four-legged friend.
Laryngitis in dogs can occur acutely or cause problems for the fur nose in a chronic form – i.e., recurring. Both conditions cause discomfort in the same way. Most of the time, laryngitis in dogs can be treated well by the veterinarian. The doctor usually prescribes a drug that suppresses the urge to cough so that the inflammation can subside. The challenge is to identify the signs of laryngitis early on.
Typical Symptoms
A dog with laryngitis has apparent symptoms:
- General malaise
- Refusal of feed
- Sloppy and listless overall impression
- Loud, primarily productive cough
- Full-blown coughing fits
- Coughing attacks that progress to gagging and vomiting, possibly with expectoration of conspicuous white mucus
- The hoarse or completely absent barking of the dog
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
If your dog refuses to eat, this indicates possible discomfort when swallowing. In turn, the lack of food, together with the acute infection, ensures that your four-legged friend becomes increasingly limp. In this case, you shouldn’t hesitate and take him to the vet.
The coughing fits associated with laryngitis in dogs can be particularly violent, especially in winter, because: The cold air encourages coughing as it irritates the airways. If a fever occurs, this indicates bacteria or viruses as the trigger for laryngitis in your dog.
If your dog’s coughing fits seem terrible, in individual cases, they may even increase vomiting: Fortunately, real shortness of breath rarely occurs with laryngitis in dogs. Only in particularly severe cases, but mostly with chronic laryngitis, it can happen that your four-legged friend really cannot breathe. Nevertheless, it would help if you go to the vet with your four-legged friend at an early stage.
If you are unsure, feel the dog’s larynx for inflammation, it reacts sensitively, and even the slightest touch leads to gagging or even vomiting. Some dogs are also prone to excessive grass-eating with the disease.
Causes Of Laryngitis
A common cause of laryngitis in dogs is previous irritation of the larynx. The itch can be due to different influences. Some of the things that can irritate are:
- Overstimulation of the vocal cords from excessive barking
- Pulling on the leash or a collar that is too tight that permanently squeezes the larynx
- Cold air in winter that the dog breathes
- Dust particles inhaled over a long period as well as smoke and gases
- Kennel cough or allergies are possible precursors of laryngitis
- Diseases or irritation of the esophagus
Usually, bacterial or viral pathogens then use the opportunity to spread in the irritated larynx. These get there when you eat or inhale and trigger inflammation.
To avoid laryngitis in your dog as much as possible, you should make sure that the collar fits well. In addition, it is essential not to expose your four-legged friend to a cloud of smoke or dust and keep their immune system strong with high-quality, nutrient-rich food and, if necessary, supplementary food.