RiverStar-Aura Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 (edited) Almost instantly, Kirah has developed a deeper, huskier and more raspy bark so I've been worried about things like paralysis tick and kennel cough. Although I've not ruled out the tick (I haven't found one when looking), her funny bark came on suddenly at the park two days ago and as her behaviour is otherwise normal, I'm thinking chances of a tick more unlikely. She did go swimming in the creek at the park and came up coughing and spluttering and since then, that's when I've noticed her bark changed. Is it possible for a dog to just get a sore throat and if so, is there something I can give her to help it feel better/heal? I've also been reading up on kennel cough just in case, however, since she isn't coughing (she just has a funny sounding bark) it also doesn't seem likely. Her behaviour and appetite are both unchanged. Suggestions? Edited September 27, 2013 by RiverStar-Aura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Keep looking for a tick and get her to a vet if she has been in a tick area. A strange bark can indicate a tick a couple of days before they collapse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Keep looking for a tick, ideally have more than one person do a thorough tick search and do it a few times per day. In addition to general signs of tick paralysis, watch out for any signs of a reducing gag reflex such as difficulty swallowing, or coughing after drinking. If there's any doubt, then get a vet check. More benign causes of a hoarse bark can include very mild upper respiratory infections, laryngitis (often from 'overuse' :laugh:) or other irritation of the vocal cords. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 A friend of mine has a little dog who seemed off and had a raspy bark. She feared tick but the vet was adamant it wasnt as its not a tick area. Started treating the dog for meningitis and the nurse, 3 days later, found a tick! All I can think, is that she had a friend visit from a tick are a week ago and I suspect it somehow traveled on her and then got on to the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 I'm definitely still checking her over for ticks -- it's something I'm always worried about. She's on Advantix but I'm still paranoid which I think is a good thing not to get complacent. I have lived in the same area my whole life and have not yet come across one *touches wood* This morning she's still bouncing around like a crazy loon and no sign she's struggling to drink water. Definitely still have my eye on her though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 tick search h Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I'm definitely still checking her over for ticks -- it's something I'm always worried about. She's on Advantix but I'm still paranoid which I think is a good thing not to get complacent. I have lived in the same area my whole life and have not yet come across one *touches wood* This morning she's still bouncing around like a crazy loon and no sign she's struggling to drink water. Definitely still have my eye on her though! Have you checked inside her ears, anus & mouth. Advantix doesn't work in those areas because of the lack of hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 I've definitely checked inside ears, bum area, between toes inside and around gums, armpits, belly but will check all even more thoroughly after work. If nothing found it'll be a trip to the vet to make sure I haven't missed one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuddleDuck Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I can almost check doof for a tick without touching him, within a few hours his bark changes and becomes raspy, even if he has a tick that falls off or gets scratched out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maeby Fünke Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Sorry, OT. I have a question about ticks... If you hose your dog down, or immerse them in water, will this drown the ticks? I live in West Gippsland and I'm worried about them coming here. They are apparently already in Sale (in East Gippsland). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 (edited) But that's what's confusing me about Kirah. 3 days later there's no signs of anything different except her bark. Being only 6.4 kilos, wouldn't she have other side effects by now too? I'm just thinking that it seems far too coincidental that her bark was fine until she came up from the creek coughing and spluttering and ever since (immediately after) her bark was different. Edit: now I'm really worried I've missed a tick and she'll get seriously bad. Edited September 28, 2013 by RiverStar-Aura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Sorry, OT. I have a question about ticks... If you hose your dog down, or immerse them in water, will this drown the ticks? I live in West Gippsland and I'm worried about them coming here. They are apparently already in Sale (in East Gippsland). No, the ticks won't drown, you need to remove them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maeby Fünke Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Sorry, OT. I have a question about ticks... If you hose your dog down, or immerse them in water, will this drown the ticks? I live in West Gippsland and I'm worried about them coming here. They are apparently already in Sale (in East Gippsland). No, the ticks won't drown, you need to remove them. Okay thanks very much. I wasn't sure :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Tick search.....again. My SIL missed a tick after days of searching her Havanese Lola .Found the hidious culperit right up under stopper on front leg. Just a spot sometimes missed. Thought it worth a mention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 ...she may have partially choked and damaged her windpipe/voicebox ? A small dog , with a large volume of water ... Guess a vet check is one way to have a look at the affected area .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Just wanted to update you all on Kirah. I had her at the vet on Monday who also said it was unlikely to be a tick, however she checked Kirah over herself again for me to be sure. Nothing found. She did listen to her throat with a stethoscope and said it definitely sounded raspy so she's prescribed a week's worth of anti inflammatories to see how that goes. The cause might be viral but without sedation and having a thorough look into Kirah's throat it's just a guess. She said to see how we go and if it doesn't seem to be improving then the scope down her throat would be the next best step. On a completely different note, I asked how she feels/thinks of triennial vaccination and titre testing and she said she's all for it. She explained that they don't push it because sometimes the only way they ever see some dogs is for their vaccinations -- the dog could be ready to drop dead and the owner still wouldn't bring it in. I can understand this, I really do; I'm just happy to be getting my Zeusling titre tested this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 First thing that came to my mind when I read "raspy bark" was westiemum's thread about her Mac... http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/213566-doggie-dementiaccd/ I'd get the vet to check Kirah's larynx... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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