alisoncooks Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 We recently took a trip to the mountains & my dog stayed at our local vet for 4 nights. He's stayed there before, and we like them b/c each dog has their own room (not just a cage), but a little cement room with window/cot/glass door to look through. Anyway, he came home with an upset tummy which isn't unusual -- he tends to not eat well when away from us, he's older so change in diet doesn't do well, and he's prone to anxiety around other dogs (which is why we prefer the boarder with private, aka expensive ;), rooms). It sucks, but generally he'll have loose stool for a few days after boarding. (He's up-to-date on all vacs.) But here's my question... He's a small dog (big-bone chihuahua) and has always had a sharp, higher-pitched bark (think ARF). Now that he's returned, his bark is DIFFERENT! It's lower-pitched and throaty (think ROOOOF). How's that possible? He's an old dog (13); how can one weekend away change his bark? Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 My first thought would be kennel cough, although most boarding facilities require dogs to be immunized. I wonder if he is hoarse from barking more in boarding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Live2Ride Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Prob hoarse from barking. A kennel cough bark doesn't often sound like a bark at all. More like a bark, then cough cough and sometimes hacking sounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I agree that it's most likely hoarseness. But the beginning of kennel cough is certainly a possibility -- the vaccine is far from 100% effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I've had two dogs get kennel cough while vaccinated. I hope he's just a little hoarse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I would watch for kennel cough. My vaccinated dog got it from boarding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Yeah - the kennel cough vaccine varies in effectiveness widely. I'd get him checked soon if it keeps sounding like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 You're 100% certain that you have your dog right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 We have had at least two male dachshunds develop very deep voices as they aged due to excessive barking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 You're 100% certain that you have your dog right? LOL, I actually did think this to myself. But yes, it's definitely my dog (the one in my picture -- his tongue hangs out from old age, hehe). I wondered about kennel cough. He did get his Bordetella vacc in May (and it's required to board there) but I'll keep an eye on him. So far there are no other symptoms -- just a strange bark. I'm hoping he just barked himself hoarse there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Another vote for hoarseness but to keep an eye on it. As an aside, one of our cats has suddenly developed a different meow (not all the time, but most of the time)---- and she hasn't gone anywhere!! Talk about being perplexed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Poor doggie! Hope he's feeling ok. Maybe he just liked this video? Another vote for hoarseness but to keep an eye on it. As an aside, one of our cats has suddenly developed a different meow (not all the time, but most of the time)---- and she hasn't gone anywhere!! Talk about being perplexed!! Our cat did that, too! She used to meow; now she squeaks. It's the most pathetic thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 Poor doggie! Hope he's feeling ok. Maybe he just liked video? Oh my, that was funny. And odd. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberia Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Maybe he just picked up some bad language in the joint; you know, the dog equivalent of swearing. :laugh: My dog got kennel cough in lock up. If it does develop into kennel cough, it may look more like a backward sneeze. Hopefully it's just over-barking and your little guy will recover soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Poor doggie! Hope he's feeling ok. Maybe he just liked this video? LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I had this happen more than once even with vacinated dogs. First time it happened they tried to tell me he was hoarse. When it got worse over night I called them back and yes, in fact it was kennel cough. I think he had to get meds, but can't remember anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 My vet told me that there is more than one cause to "kennel cough" and the bordatella vaccine was only for one strain. I would suspect hoarseness from barking but watch for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I would guess hoarseness from barking, too. That used to happen to my dogs. It was kind of funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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