Removal of the vocal cords in dogs: a description of the procedure, the result

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Humanity continues to try to adjust the world for itself. Recently, the procedure for removing the vocal cords in dogs is gaining popularity among dog breeders. Usually, difficulties arise for pet owners in apartment buildings, where pets haunt neighbors with their barking. Often this procedure is forced, they go to it out of hopelessness, when there is no other way to save a pet from an angry neighbor. And some create for themselves a "convenient" animal, or even several, cashing in, for example, on breeding, and for convenience, using the method of removing the vocal cords in dogs.

Surgery technique

• Complete removal. After the removal of the vocal cords, the dog completely loses the ability to bark, while the voice will never return to it. With this procedure, the ligaments are cut out and cauterized at their edges.
• Partial cut. In this case, the dog with the help of surgicalintervention or by applying an electric current cut or cauterize the vocal cords. After such a procedure, there is a chance that the dog's voice will be restored, but it will be very low and hoarse, more like a cough.

All for and against

Pros:

1. The pet will not bother others with loud barking.
2. The animal will no longer be able to scare passers-by with a sudden bark.
3. The owner will have to watch his dog much more carefully while walking, as he will not hear her voice.

There are no more adequate arguments in favor of surgical intervention to remove the vocal cords in dogs. Moving on to the cons:

1. Such an operation harms the psyche of animals. This can especially affect aggressive dogs of large breeds.
2. Removal of the vocal cords in dogs takes place under anesthesia, which can be detrimental to decorative dogs of small breeds - it is most difficult for them to calculate the dose of anesthesia. In addition, decorative dogs very often have all sorts of hereditary diseases that are often asymptomatic, but during surgery can lead to irreversible consequences and even death.
3. With such an intervention, there is often such a consequence as swelling of the larynx, which leads to the instant death of the animal.
4. Veterinary academies of Russia do not teach such operations, so it’s not a fact that you can find a truly qualifiedDr.
5. Barking is the natural reaction of an animal, and deprivation of voice is immoral and cruel.
6. An operation for dogs to remove the vocal cords will break the invisible connection between the animal and its owner. The dog will not be able to tell him about something or warn him of danger.
7. Such a surgical intervention is not able to protect passers-by from the main threat of being bitten, because the dog can do it silently. But the fact that an animal that has undergone such an operation will become more aggressive - many veterinarians are inclined to this opinion.
8. Even when seeing a real danger, the dog almost always warns the enemy by barking. After the removal of the vocal cords, the only way out of a dangerous situation for dogs will be to bite immediately.

As you can see, there are many more arguments "against". But is vocal cord surgery always harmful for dogs?

Possible Complications

• Bleeding and swelling of the larynx.
• Infection. This complication is associated not only directly with the operation, but may also occur in the postoperative period. Since the larynx and trachea is an area that cannot be absolutely sterile. There is always a risk of foodborne infection.
• Excessive scarring. This complication can be detected only some time after the intervention and will significantly complicate the life of the animal. He will have difficulty swallowing, breathing will be difficult and fluid will accumulate in the larynx.
• Risk of developing pneumonia. Occurs in case of an error during the operation, when, due to inexperience or negligence, the nerve of the animal is touched.

When such an operation is necessary

1. Incurable disease of the larynx or the ligaments themselves, in which such surgical intervention is indicated.
2. Uncorrectable animal behavior. Most often, the owners think about removing the vocal cords of the dog precisely after the constant complaints of the neighbors. And if they also go on visits to the district police officer? First of all, decide whether you have done everything in order to avoid such barking?

Correction methods:

• training, possibly with an instructor;
• electric collar;
• resection of the vocal cords in a dog.

There are dogs whose behavior is almost impossible to correct. Perhaps the animal got to you as an adult or some kind of genetic mutations occurred. If you have really tried to correct his uncontrollable barking in every possible way, if you devote enough time to your pet, and he does not get bored alone, then surgery may be the only way out.

Post-operative period

Within two days after the operation, you need to monitor the dog's breathing, since it is during this period that the animal may develop laryngeal edema.

First few days after surgeryFeed your pet liquid and soft food. Dry food can be given no earlier than five days, but subject to full recovery.

If a laryngotomy was performed, then within two weeks it is necessary to process and monitor the condition of the sutures.

Conclusion

Everyone who decides to perform an operation to remove the vocal cords in dogs and cats (yes, there are some) should know that such an intervention will not correct the behavior of the dog in any way. That is, if the animal rushed at passers-by, then it will continue to do so, but it will sneak up unnoticed or bark in a “whisper”. And think about the fact that this procedure is irreversible. You will never be able to hear the voice of your pet, and he will not be able to turn to you, call you, report some kind of joy. Maybe we simply justify our laziness and unwillingness to deal with animals by the need for such intervention? Before you take this step, carefully weigh the pros and cons, because there will be no turning back.