What are Laryngitis?
While often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, laryngitis can be a sign of another underlying issue, and can accompany such conditions as tracheobronchitis, distemper, heart disease, trauma, or an issue with the internal tissues, such as paralysis of the larynx or a trachea problem. The occasional to constant coughs can cause changes in vocalization, and the swelling from inflammation can lead to an obstructed airway in extreme cases. If the affected dog cannot cool itself down by panting, it may collapse. Many of the causes of laryngitis can be treated, and medical attention should be sought immediately for any breathing difficulties.
Laryngitis is the condition of an inflamed larynx, often caused by an infection. The larynx, or voice box, is the cartilage that prevents choking by closing off the trachea during swallowing. Laryngitis usually starts with a dry cough, but as the fluid builds up and the swelling of the larynx increases, it can affect the heart rate, breathing, and can lead to respiratory distress if not treated.
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Symptoms of Laryngitis in Dogs
Symptoms of laryngitis can include:
- Dry, short cough
- Soft, moist and painful cough
- Gagging or retching
- Swelled larynx
- Vocal changes e.g. a hoarse bark
- Bad breath
- Difficult and noisy breathing
- Difficult and painful swallowing
- Open mouth and lowered head stance
- High pitched breathing
- Slowed respiration
- Bluish gums
- Increased heart rate
- Elevated body temperature
- Excessive panting
- Collapse
- Suffocation
Causes of Laryngitis in Dogs
Laryngitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, but it can be caused by another underlying issue. Causes can include:
- Upper respiratory infection that is bacterial, viral or parasitic
- Inhalation of smoke, dust, allergens or gas
- Insect bites
- Trapped foreign objects
- Excessive barking
- Laryngeal trauma, such as a breathing tube placement or a bite wound
- Tracheobronchitis
- Tracheitis
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Distemper
- Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD, a digestive disorder
- Laryngeal paralysis
- Laryngeal abnormality, such as a granuloma or tumor
- Cancer
- Brachycephalic condition, or dogs with a flattened face, and a shorter larynx and nasal passages. Affected breeds are English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Pekinese.
Diagnosis of Laryngitis in Dogs
Help your veterinarian correctly diagnose your dog by reporting any symptoms you’ve noticed. Other information such as your dog’s breed, travel history, environment, medical history and medications taken, any incidences of trauma, vocal changes, and any contact with other animals can help your veterinarian come to a diagnosis of laryngitis. A definite diagnosis can be made based on these factors, a physical examination, an exam of the larynx, test results, and your dog’s response to any treatment. Your veterinarian will also observe your dog’s respiration.
Other tests may include a urinalysis, serum analysis, bronchoscopy, cytologic exam of bronchoalveolar fluids, gastroduodenoscopy, tissue biopsy, chest X-rays, neurological exam, endocrine studies, EMGs, and culture samples. Identification of the underlying cause is needed to be able to correctly treat the condition.
Treatment of Laryngitis in Dogs
Most mild cases are straightforward and resolve quickly with minimal intervention.
In the treatment of severe laryngitis, the first goal is to stabilize your dog if unstable. This can be done by relieving any airway obstruction, reducing inflammation, and getting oxygen into the lungs. Oxygen therapy, intubation, and ventilator support can be used, often with sedation if needed. If there is an obstruction in the larynx, a tracheotomy tube may be placed through an opening in the neck to allow the dog to breathe while the problem is fixed.
Any underlying cause needs to be treated, as well as concurrent conditions. Treatments can include anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling, often along with systemic antibiotics. Diuretic drugs can be prescribed to eliminate fluid from the larynx and lungs. Cough suppressants and bronchodilators, which create bronchodilation and may reduce swelling, can be used. Antiparasitics, antimicrobials, and antacids are given as needed. Any heart or lung disease, abnormality, or cancer is treated appropriately.
Surgery may be needed for some conditions, such as to correct a muscular laryngeal issue or to remove obstructions. Supplementary care may be prescribed to help recovery, such as humidified air, diet modification, external cooling, and confinement in a clean, dust free environment.
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Recovery of Laryngitis in Dogs
The earlier treatment is given, the better the outcome is for your dog. Many causes of laryngitis can be treated with supportive care and medications. If the larynx or any surrounding cartilage areas in the airway incur chronic damage, the prognosis can be worse. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe medication to be administered at home, and a list of supplementary care to help your dog recover. Always notify your veterinarian if your dog has continuing breathing difficulties.
Laryngitis Average Cost
From 457 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,200
Average Cost
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Top
Laryngitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
German Shepherd
Bosko
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hoarse Barking
Raspy Barking
Higher Pitched Barking
Hello, I have a 4 y/o working line gsd named Bosko. This is an active, very physically fit dog. He is a national level schutzhund dog and currently competing for a spot on the usa world team. Around Christmas time I noticed his bark was very different. Around the house, kennels, and at training, he has a raspy/ hoarse/ higher pitched voice. If he continues barking or if he's barking for something of high value to him, he will bark through the initial weaker bark and progress to a bark that is 80%ish his normal bark. He has been on some time off from training as the usa nationals were in the first part of November. There are no other obvious signs of respiratory infection, no coughing, eye/ nose drainage, change in his drive or activity level. He is eating and drinking normally. I took him to the vet the first pest of January. His physical assessment was normal. The only thing the vet could come up with is he could have stained his vocal cords or other ligimants/tendons/muscles in that area. The vet said this could take a few months to recover of that's the case.
For a little background information, this isn't from excessive barking as we use barking as a form of physical conditioning and in one training session - preparing for a big competition, we may do 2 or 3 periods of having the dog bark art the bad guy, counting his barks of 100. So, in one training season, he may bark 200-300 times. There ous anyways risk in schutzhund for injury as it is very physical. Lots of barking, jumping, biting, pulling, and shaking of the neck. These dogs don't tend to show injury right away due to their high drive just pushes them through it. So, I know it can't be from excessive barking as he would have to bark day and night to make him hoarse and I would hear about this from my neighbors and the fact that he is not a baker at all around the house (which is amazing considering he barks like a machine gun at training).
I apologize for the long message.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. For now I am not skin b any barking with him.
Jan. 13, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining him, I cannot say what might be going on with him, but if he is in training that makes him prone to throat injuries, that seems a good place to start. I'm not sure if any x-rays or ultrasound of his throat have been done, but that might be a good idea at this time. Thyroid conditions can also sometimes cause strange neuromuscular disorders and might be affecting the muscles of his throat. If he isn't on any anti-inflammatory medications, those may help as well. It would be best to discuss these options with your veterinarian, as they have examined him and know more about the specifics of his case. I hope that he recovers well!
Jan. 13, 2018
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Lhasa Apso
Jack
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Voice Changed
My dog jack voice changed suddenly from a strong lound voice to a screakie kind. It’s like if u stepped on his paw and he screams like it hurt. He moves from place to place very slowly and then lay down he stays in one stop just not moving for a long time. He eats and drinks ok until today he won’t move to do anything just lays there. His breathing seems to be ok. His mouth is closed so I’m guessing he’s breathing through his nose, bhe licks his tongue out from time to time. I’m not sure if he has laryngitis or what’s going on with him please let me know anything that can help his vet is closed today thank you
Nov. 24, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are a few issues including laryngitis, thyroid disorders, respiratory tract infections among other causes. If Jack is eating, drinking, urinating and defecating, you should keep a close eye on him over the weekend but take him into your Veterinarian Monday morning for an examination; if the symptoms get worse or you are generally concerned you should visit an Emergency Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 24, 2017
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Rat Terrier
Zoe
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
About 2 weeks ago my dog barked a ton at the UPS man. The next session of barking was deep sounding and hoarse. I took her to the vet and the vet said to give it a week. It has been over that and now the bark is high pitched still a bit hoarse. Can you help please?
Sept. 9, 2017
0 Recommendations
Excessive barking may lead a dog to strain their vocal cords which leads to a hoarse high pitched bark; ideally rest for a week (no barking) resolves the issue but if it has been over two weeks I would recommend you return to your Veterinarian to check Zoe over to make sure that there isn’t something more serious. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 9, 2017
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Laryngitis Average Cost
From 457 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,200
Average Cost
$500
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