basset hound health

Question
My one year old basset hound has been hoarse for three days.  Do dogs get laryngitis?  Does she need to visit the vet for possible antibiotics or other meds?

Answer
Hi Shenagh,

Yes, dogs can get hoarse if they bark long enough. My dogs often come home hoarse after a kennel stay.
If your dog hasn't been kenneled recently, is it possible that she's been doing a fair amount of barking when left home alone? Your neighbors would be able to confirm this.

Dogs can get sore throats, pharyngitis, laryngitis and all of the other things that people get. These problems usually clear up within a few days to a few weeks.

You can try placing a humidifier or vaporizer near where your spends a lot of time. The moist air can help her sore throat. If you like, you can add about 3 drops lavender or chamomile essential oil to the water. Keep in mind that these units need to be cleaned daily, otherwise they just spew bacteria.

You can try soothing your dog's sore throat with a lemon flavored herbal tea with a little honey in it (about 1/2 a teaspoon). Make sure the tea is caffeine free. After you brew the tea offer it to your dog when it's warm, and not hot.

Dental problems, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, can sometimes cause increased swallowing, which can cause a sore throat, which could cause hoarseness.

If this condition doesn't seem to be getting better in a few days, it would be a good idea to have your vet examine your dog.

Best of luck,
Patti