Debarking Process

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Introduction
Barking is a natural means of communication for a dog, however can develop into a problematic behaviour. Excessive barking can occur for a variety of reasons including genetics, boredom, poor socialization, and separation from the owner. Debarking is an invasive surgical procedure, performed to help silence this problematic behaviour. This may be considered by owners as a last resort, in an attempt to keep their companion or remain in their current living arrangement. In all cases of excessive barking, a veterinarian should be consulted in conjunction with a certified, experienced trainer or behaviourist to determine the underlying cause(s) and recommend a treatment program to mitigate excessive barking. Behaviour modification …show more content…

It is performed to muffle or completely eliminate the sounds produced by a dog barking excessively. It is a cosmetic/convenience procedure, as this is for the convenience of the owner and there has been no medical benefit reported (2). This procedure can be performed via two methods: the oral approach, or the laryngotomy approach (3). The oral approach involves anesthetizing the patient and inserting surgical tools into the oral cavity of the patient. These tools are passed through to the vocal cord region of the larynx, where a laryngoscope exposes the vocal cords. A surgical tool, such as a tonsil punch, is used to remove a portion of the vocal cords. The laryngotomy approach involves an incision through the skin, subcutaneous tissue and directly into the larynx, thus bypassing the oral cavity. A laryngoscope exposes the vocal cords, and a second incision is then performed to remove the portion of the vocal cords from the larynx. The cut-edge of the tissue is then sutured to the laryngeal tissue, to prevent blockage of the airway. These sutures are removed approximately two weeks later. Both of these options come with their respective advantages and disadvantages, and the procedure used is decided by the owner and/or the familiarity of the vet with the surgical procedure or tools …show more content…

The only medical based considerations for performing a ventriculocordectomy would be if a tumor were to form on the vocal cords and was obstructing the throat region or if there were paralysis of the laryngeal muscles leading to suffocation (4, 5). There are some non-medical based benefits that can result from this procedure. Cessation of the noises associated with barking is a major benefit that results from the removal of the vocal cords. This in itself has several associated benefits, including an alternative option to having to relinquish and/or euthanize a pet or a solution for when behaviour management has been unsuccessful (6). This in itself, could help prevent decreases in the number of breeds known for being more vocal that others (ex. hound, terrier, toy or herding groups) Some owners may be neglectful if their dog will not stop barking, and may abandon, restrain, or isolate their pets in order to have some quiet. Therefore by performing the surgery, the animal will not be subjected to these types of mistreatment as a way of the owner coping with the problem. There is also the benefit of less noise pollution in neighbourhoods and kennel facilities, leading to less hearing damage and frustration amongst neighbours. Less noise pollution in neighbourhoods will lead to less complaints from neighbours, which may result in a

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