What Can I Give My Dog for a Sore Throat?

My throat hurts.

It's been said that over the years master and dog come to resemble one another. Familiarity may or may not breed likeness, but it's true that it breeds affection. Many people treat their pets as members of the family, playing together, traveling together and often sharing the bed at the end of the day.There is something else we can share with our dogs: a sore throat.

Symptoms

Excessive barking can cause a sore throat.

You can recognize a throat inflammation by changes in your dog's behavior. If it's mouth is tender, the dog will eat slowly, even selectively by leaving large bits of food in the bowl. If you notice your dog eating on one side of its mouth it may be a sign that it's feeling pain on the other. In other instances, you may notice coughing, gagging or a red inflamed throat or fever.

Causes

Your child can pass strep throat to your puppy.

Humans can get sore throats due to an isolated infection, but a dog's sore throat often has its cause in infections of the mouth, respiratory tract or sinuses. Infections may occur because of a cut in the mouth, a burn or other injury. Stick injuries, cuts to the roof of the mouth, cheek or gums, are common among dogs who chew sticks and bones. Other culprits range from kennel cough or gum disease to parvovirus infection, distemper and herpes. Prolonged barking will stress a normally healthy throat. Contact with a human who has strep throat will also cause infection.

A Trip to the Vet

When you see signs of sore throat in your dog, make an appointment with your vet. Be sure to let the vet know your dog's symptoms and how long they've been presenting. Because mouth injuries aren't always obvious, the vet will need to determine whether your dog's sore throat is a symptom of injury or illness. Once she makes a diagnosis, your vet will treat the dog's condition with appropriate medicine and recommendations for home care.

Determining the Cause

Veterinarians treat acute pharyngitis (sore throat) and tonsillitis by treating the cause. If a thorough exam doesn't identify a primary cause your vet will prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic for 10 days. If a cut, burn or stick injury is the cause of the inflamed throat, you vet will clean the wound and write a prescription for an antibiotic.

Soothing the Sore Throat

As well as rest and plenty of water, you should feed your dog a diet that won't irritate its already inflamed and painful throat. Canned dog food mixed with water provides nutrients and more of the moisture your dog's body needs during recovery.

References

• Web MD: Dog Sore Throat
• Natural Pet Health: Throat Infections
• Pets Web MD: Sore Throat