Bark has deepened

[Teddy]

Hi everyone and thanks in advance for any opinions and thoughts you can offer.   My 10 year old Cairn Teddy came home from a 10 day visit to the kennel (which he usually loves, and they love him) with conjunctivitis in his left eye and a deep bark.  I took him to the vet and the prescribed ointment (antibiotic/steroid) has his eye looking almost completely better.  My question is about his throat and his barking.  I noticed his bark when he came home from the kennel was much deeper.  I mentioned this to the vet and he thought it was probably due to incessant barking while in the kennel, the vet mentioned that his throat was a bit red.  The vet did not seem concerned about it beyond that.  Well, he's been home from the kennel for over a week and when Teddy barks, it still sounds much deeper than usual and almost painful.  And as we owners know, we are used to the exact sound of our Cairn's bark, as we have heard it thousands of times.  He seems to be barking less, perhaps due to the pain I think he might be in.  Anyone on the forum have thoughts on this or a similar experience?  I am curious at what point I should be alarmed.  I want the old bark to come back so I know he is ok.  Also, he is not coughing at all, so I have no concerns that it is related to kennel cough. 

[pkcrossley]

can't think of anything other than what the vet suggested. if he barked enough to irritate his throat to the point of redness, it could take a long time for the sound to return to normal. if he does not do his normal amount of barking (and you want him to return to it), that would probably be something to ask the vet to check --particularly whether the redness has gone away. but the vet's explanation makes sense, so maybe teddy just needs more time. 

[sanford]

I'm thinking that you both might be right... The vets diagnosis that the deep bark and redness was the result of incessant barking - and your thinking that a week with no improvement and Teddy possibly being in pain all this time should warrant a return visit, or a phone call to the vet. Hopefully the vet can prescribe a pain reliever, and/or have you bring Teddy in for a second look. 

I think it's best to trust your instincts and contact the vet. The worst thing would be that the vet would find nothing wrong.... and that would actually be good news!

Edited June 20, 2016 by sanford

[Hillscreek]

Think I might ask for a checkup too. Can you tell if the redness has lessened some?

[hheldorfer]

The same thing happens to Buffy after a stay at the kennel but it usually goes away within 2-3 days.  A week seems like a long time for a sore throat to heal.  I agree with the above comments and would take Teddy back to the vet for another exam.  It's possible he caught something in the kennel and has developed a respiratory infection (for example).  Better safe than sorry.

Please let us know how this turns out.  Hugs to Teddy!

 

[Teddy]

thanks so much everyone, this forum is always so helpful!  I ran into a friend who is a dog lover and owner owner last night, she suggested a little bit of honey on a spoon for Teddy.  I think I am going to try this unless anyone  thinks it not a good idea.

[shergry]

Honey is the only way we get pills down! And put a little honey in plain yogurt everyday. Our girls love honey, and the yogurt is a good bacteria for them to have.

Long ago and far away, we had a Cairn that had a sore throat from barking....a little honey and TLC should help with the sore throat. If you want you can heat up a little chicken broth...low sodium...and let Teddy have a nice treat...in the same way we humans need a little TLC from our Cairns

[Autumn & Lola]

A holistic vet once suggested honey for our terrier mix; however, he specified raw, organic honey, not "the kind in the bear" as he put it. Apparently there are much more healing properties in the raw honey than in the processed. Hope Teddy is feeling better soon!

[hheldorfer]

Has Teddy's bark improved?  

We went on a short vacation last week and Buffy stayed at the kennel.  She came back with a pathetic, squeaky, non-fear-inducing bark from barkingherfoolheadoff at the kennel.  Two days later she's mostly back to normal, although she sometimes still sounds like a human recovering from laryngitis.