Just like a human's voice, pet owners know their dog's bark very well. The pitch, tone, and volume level become ingrained in your mind as you hear your dog bark on a daily basis. You can typically tell when a dog's bark has changed. If the bark change lasts for more than a single day, then you may need to bring your pet in for an evaluation.
Changes in a dog's bark can result from multiple issues. See what issues could arise and the treatment options available to help return your dog's bark back to normal.
1. Throat Trauma
One of the easiest throat problems to diagnose in a dog is throat trauma. A dog's bark will change when something has caused physical damage to the throat. If you have other dogs in the house or if your pet interacts with other dogs outside the home, then a quick tussle or bite from another animal could lead to damage to the throat.
If a dog jumps or falls in an awkward position on their throat, then damage could occur as well. You may see your dog paw or scratch at the neck area when an injury occurs. A dog could also injure their throat from the inside. A hard object like a stick, toy, or piece of plastic could wedge inside the throat and cause damage to the voice box.
The object could also cause breathing issues in dogs. If your dog has breathing issues, you should book an emergency appointment with a vet. A vet can perform x-rays to determine the full extent of damage to the throat.
2. Hypothyroidism
Similar to humans, dogs have thyroid glands that must produce a specific amount of hormones to help regulate functions like metabolism. When dogs lack the production of those hormones, you may run into a problem known as hypothyroidism. There are many signs of the disease to spot in your dog, including a change in their voice.
The dog's voice may sound hoarse, or the animal could have a weakened bark. When the barking symptom is paired with a common issue like loss of fur or flaky skin, then you should see a vet for treatment. A vet will perform blood work to determine if your dog has hypothyroidism.
If confirmed, medications will help treat the disease and steroids may be used to help repair the dog's voice box. Fortunately, hypothyroidism treatment comes with a lot of success as long as you follow a vet's care instructions.
3. Cancer
The growth of cancerous tumors in the throat can lead to bark changes. Throat cancer in dogs would cause the tumors to originate in the throat. Unfortunately, some other forms of cancer can spread and also cause tumors to grow in the throat. When you bring your pet to a veterinarian, the vet will perform several tests and x-rays to determine if your dog has cancer and the exact type.
From there, a vet can provide treatment options or pain relief for any direct problems the tumors have caused. You will not find a clear prediction on the cancer treatment options for your dog. The factors all depend on the size of any tumors, if the cancer has spread, your dog's breed, and how early the cancer was detected.
Your dog will receive an individual health plan based on their personal health history and current state. Along with healing a voice, one of the main focuses will be on keeping your dog comfortable during this stressful time.
Have your dog treated and cared for by our professionals at
Pet Medical Center of Vero Beach. We will help return your dog's bark back to normal and make your pet feel comfortable and pain-free as they communicate with the world.
