Someone has turned Rogan's volume down!

Rogansmommy · Post by **Rogansmommy** » Thu May 18, 2006 3:41 pm

Yesterday, when I came home from work, Rogan's bark was VERY soft. Not raspy, not gagging/coughing, exactly the same but very soft.

Like someone had lowered his volume control. It's so weird! Everything else is perfectly normal -- eating, drinking, bodily functions, activity level, attitude -- everything.

The vet can't figure it out either. He has NO desire to anesthetize Rogan and for the life of him does NOT want to attempt to look down his throat.

He thinks it's possible that Rogan strained his vocal chords, but he's never seen anything like this before.

Any ideas?

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Fri May 19, 2006 3:53 am

A few months ago, I mentioned that Rogan's mystery bark/cough symptom seemed like a granuloma inflammation (may have included a research excerpt too). Maybe this vocal cord paralysis symptom is related to that first problem. Also, look at the other listed possible causes of 'vocal cord paralysis'. Best wishes.

Rogansmommy · Post by **Rogansmommy** » Fri May 19, 2006 1:22 pm

Well, today, he has greater volume but not full. I'm trying to keep him quiet as I am thinking its a strain and not paralysis. Paralysis wouldn't get better like this, from what I've researched. Keeping a moody 8 1/2 year old male chow quiet is like trying to spit in the wind.

But he's definitely louder today.

Judy Fox · Post by **Judy Fox** » Fri May 19, 2006 1:51 pm

Oh dear - poor love.
Chow chows have such lovely barks too. I love M & M's barks. Mabel's is a bit deeper that Milly so I always know which one is barking.

I hope it sorts out.xxxxx

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Fri May 19, 2006 2:34 pm

Re: "Paralysis wouldn't get better like this, from what I've researched."
---

The paralysis (immobilized cord) can be very mild, and attributed to something like 'acid reflux' or an allergy causing inflammation. He might have just snuffled something : )

Good to hear he's already feeling better.

chowfrnd88 · Post by **chowfrnd88** » Fri May 19, 2006 4:19 pm

Poor guy! Special Dark is sending hugs and purple kisses to Rogan!!!

Hang in there!

ngraham · Post by **ngraham** » Fri May 19, 2006 5:17 pm

Poor Rogan. I sure hope he gets better soon. There is nothing better than hearing that traditional chow "whoof and hrumph".
Get better soon Rogan!

Rogansmommy · Post by **Rogansmommy** » Sat May 20, 2006 4:52 am

Well, he's been all fired up this morning, so everything we gained yesterday is gone.

He still harumps around, moreso now, because that and the snorting are his main methods of communicating. Today his voice sounds horse and squeaky so I'm going to try and keep him quiet.

Does anyone know of anything I could give him to sooth his throat? I'm thinking of getting some of those doggy ice pops. At the very least, he'd enjoy the snack.

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Sat May 20, 2006 5:32 am

Re: "Does anyone know of anything I could give him to sooth his throat?"
---

You might consider 'Slippery Elm Bark' powder. A spoonful mixed into boiling water makes a slimy mucilage tea, used to soothe an inflamed throat/digestive tract. It has some anti-inflammatory effect. You would put a spoonful of the cooled slippery tea in his cheek pouch, as a liquid lozenge.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Sat May 20, 2006 9:03 am

those doggy ice pops

If your talking about 'Frosty Paws', Ralphs has them in the ice cream section towards the end by the ice cream snacks. They are usally mixed in with all the other stuff so are hard to spot. I just bought 2 box's last night.

Post by **Auddymay** » Sat May 20, 2006 1:39 pm

Yep, Dr. Granny says Slippery Elm Bark tonic is good fer what ails yeh, but it holds no candle to Granny's Special Elixor...lol...sorry, sometimes my wicked humor just takes me!

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Sat May 20, 2006 3:54 pm

If we are getting into the real hard medications like granny's special eleixor then a bowl of Granny's Possum stew would take care of Rogans ailments and I'm sure Rogan would have no problem going out to get the Possum. Grannies not only a Dr. She is also a Vet with all of Elimays critters around the house.

Post by **Auddymay** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:04 pm

I'm certain all our fur babies would love a heapin' helpin' of Granny's Possum stew!

ngraham · Post by **ngraham** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:57 am

OMG!!!!! Too funny. In all seriousness, I hope Rogan is getting better.

Rogansmommy · Post by **Rogansmommy** » Sun May 21, 2006 9:19 am

Rogan would gladly volunteer to get the Opossum, but it is about 90 here today, so he isn't willing to go past the back door! (I'm getting the dirty look that says, "Really, I don't NEED to go out right now. I can hold it."

) Once it gets dark and the temperature drops to a civil degree, I'm sure he'll think it's a great idea!

He's sounding better today. I wasn't able to find the slippery elm bark, but was able to find the Dogsters (doggie flying saucers) at the supermarket. Oatmeal cookies filled with frozen yogurt! YUMMY!!!