1. Your Dog is Hoarse
If your dog has been barking repeatedly for a very long period. Chances are that your dog's vocal cords have been utilized too much too often. This heavy vocalizing of your canine will eventually lead to a hoarse throat. A hoarse throat can be a bit painful for your dog and it will avoid barking. Your dog may also develop a cold which may result in the same hoarseness and less barking.
2. Collar Too Tight
Dog owners have to be aware of how they tighten the collar around their dogs necks. Many times dog owners place collars on young dogs and simply forget to adjust the collar as the dogs grow. If your dog throat is being pressured by a tight collar, your dog will experience more than just loosing its bark, it may just suffocate to death.
3. Laryngeal Paralysis
A condition which is most common among older members of larger breeds such as Labrador and golden retrievers, Huskies and Saint Bernard. If your dog opens his mouth to bark and little or no voice comes out, the voice box may have lost its function. Affected dogs may develop a voice change and the bark may sound "hoarse" and raspy. Your dog may try to bark, but only emit a sound that ends in a hoarse, croaky whisper. In more severe cases, affected dogs may also develop episodes of respiratory distress.
4. Hoarse from Tumor
Illnesses affect your dog in many ways. if your dog has developed a tumor in the throat chances are that he will either bark less or his bark will not be as clear and crisp, but rather hoarse or husky. A tumor or growth growing near the larynx or trachea may interfere with the dog's ability to bark. If the vet suspects a growth, he may need to take X-rays and possibly have an endoscopy done.
5. Something Stuck in Throat
Anything obstructing correct airflow in the dog's throat will result in discomfort, pain and maybe even infection. If you notice your dog a bit too silent and seems to be unable to bark, take a quick look down the dogs throat hole just to verify that there is no obstruction.
Remember, don't take anything for granted when it comes on to any illness in your canine companion. I always tell my subscribers to do the three doggy diagnostic checks:
- Look
- Listen
- Feel
- Vet
- Look at and observe your dogs reaction, motion and mood.
- Listen to any winding in your dog to signal pain
- Feel out the dog's body to see if he is hurting in any place
- Consult your Vet for further assistance.