Laryngitis in my 7 yr old Yorkie?

[Squirt's Mommy]

I have a Yorkie named Squirt who will be 8 August 30th. Yesterday he barked excessively in his crate (he was in there for about 2 hours) when I was babysitting my friend's little 3 yr old. After they left I took him out to walk and and noticed he was breathing with a bit of an audible gurgle. Sounded like he had a hair ball maybe (he is an addicted hair licker... I picked him up and could feel the gurgle a bit in upper chest and in his laryngeal area.

His tongue isn't blue, his gums are pink, he isn't coughing or goose honking, no nasal discharge, breathing fine through both nostrils, and the gurgling got less when he rested. I monitored him overnight (even checked his pulse and respiratory rates both were completely normal). He also hasn't been barking as much since midday yesterday so I hought maybe laryngeal paralysis from excessive barking?

Does any of this sound like any of the symptoms your babies may have had with larygnitis or even tracheal collapse? I didn't realize just how prone Yorkies are to that condition. After watching several videos and reading countless articles on kennel cough, reverse sneezing, canine colds, laryngeal paralysis from excessive barking and tracheal collapse in Yorkies, it seems his issue is most likely due to excessive barking resulting in vocal fatigue. I gave him a fraction of Benadryl last night which helped him sleep and breathe quieter and easier (no more audible gurgle).

Today he has barked once so far at 11:30 at his Bulldog brother who got closer than he would have liked him to be. It was raspy and not as loud as normal. His energy level (when I briefly tested him with his favorite toys, is normal, as is his ability to eat/drink, eliminate). I am keeping him quiet, calm and rested. I am also using vaporizers and honey to help moisten his throat and ease any possible discomfort he may have in the throat from too much barking. He is pretty comfortable and dare I say spoiled?

Thanks so much for any info you can share about your experiences with loss of voice or TC. (Also, if there are any who feel a prompting to leave a "go to the vet" reply thank you but that's obvious to me and won't be as helpful to what I am seeking to learn from others who have maybe had similar scenarios occur with their own Yorkie... and if he doesn't improve I will of course take him in).

Again, thank you in advance for your informative and helpful responses.

[ladyjane]

My Cookie had a bout with laryngitis...see the following.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...aryngitis.html

Note: it is never wrong to suggest that a person go to a vet. Just because one pup was ok with voice loss, does not mean the other is exactly the same. I understand that you say you will go to a vet if it persists, but it always bothers me when someone posts that in their first post. Why would it offend you if someone suggested you go to a vet?

[Squirt's Mommy]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

My Cookie had a bout with laryngitis...see the following.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...aryngitis.html

Note: it is never wrong to suggest that a person go to a vet. Just because one pup was ok with voice loss, does not mean the other is exactly the same. I understand that you say you will go to a vet if it persists, but it always bothers me when someone posts that in their first post. Why would it offend you if someone suggested you go to a vet?

Thank you so much for your feedback and for this link!
Exactly what Squirt is experiencing!



[For clarification, I am sorry if my vet comment left anyone with an impression I would find it offensive... it would not and does not offend me if someone recommends a vet visit. I did not intend to come across as suggesting it was wrong to put that in a post just that it - since it clearly is always a good action step - would not really be any further help at present (ie new information). Apologies again.
The intent of this thread post and question to the forum members was simply what your own experiences with any similar-sounding situations have been. That's all. Re-reading it, it is easy to understand how it could be perceived as offensive tone, however rest assured it was not meant that way One of the disadvantages of text or e-communication: only being able to see text and not be able to hear one's speech inflections or see body language. Oh technology!]

Again, I am really very appreciative you took time to reply!
Reading your experience was most helpful and precisely the type of information
I had hoped to read and learn from.
All the best! Cheers!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Squirt's Mommy

Thank you so much for your feedback and for this link!
Exactly what Squirt is experiencing!



[For clarification, I am sorry if my vet comment left anyone with an impression I would find it offensive... it would not and does not offend me if someone recommends a vet visit. I did not intend to come across as suggesting it was wrong to put that in a post just that it - since it clearly is always a good action step - would not really be any further help at present (ie new information). Apologies again.
The intent of this thread post and question to the forum members was simply what your own experiences with any similar-sounding situations have been. That's all. Re-reading it, it is easy to understand how it could be perceived as offensive tone, however rest assured it was not meant that way One of the disadvantages of text or e-communication: only being able to see text and not be able to hear one's speech inflections or see body language. Oh technology!]

Again, I am really very appreciative you took time to reply!
Reading your experience was most helpful and precisely the type of information
I had hoped to read and learn from.
All the best! Cheers!

It scared me...I was so sure she had something dreadful. Like yours, she had barked her head off the day before. She gets it once in a while now because she is a vocal girl, but that was actually the longest bout.

Oh, you were not offensive at all. It's just that sometimes people come here with really sick pups and say that. I really did get what you wanted and what you were saying.

[Squirt's Mommy]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

It scared me...I was so sure she had something dreadful. Like yours, she had barked her head off the day before. She gets it once in a while now because she is a vocal girl, but that was actually the longest bout.

Oh, you were not offensive at all. It's just that sometimes people come here with really sick pups and say that. I really did get what you wanted and what you were saying.

Thank you so much again for everything Lady Jane!

Update on Squirt:
He is already improving with rest. His daddy came home from work and he gave nice, more normal-sounding bark when he heard the doorknob turn!
His whisper-like sounds that typically accompany his yawns also seem to be returning. Will continue to coat his throat with honey, soak his dry food in warm water to make it go down easier on a possibly scratchy throat, and use a steam vaporizer, and keep him quiet and rested of course!

[Squirt's Mommy]

Happy to report my peppy, vocal little Squirt is DEFINITELY back in vocal action!
His voice has returned completely it seems. Even have me his typical grumble when I was moving him a bit when he was trying sleep.
Ha! Still keeping him as quiet and rested as I can!
(Doing the happy dance!)

[ladyjane]

Awesome! So happy to hear that Squirt can raise the roof again!