Hoarse dog

Question
My dog seems hoarse. It seems as though he cant clear his throat. Can he get a cold? Is there anything I can do to help him before I take him to the vet? He is a jack russell/pom mix and weighs about 21 lbs. He is 5 years old.

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

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 his 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.

If this condition is still present in a few days time, it would be a good idea to have your vet examine your dog.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti