Looking at rescue GSD with quiet 'lost voice' bark - any vets?

[SaharaS]

Sorry for the cheeky question, but for warned is for armed & all that!

I've decided its time I found my boy a pal so looking at several rescues of the same breed. I have found a nice 2yo bitch (wgsd) who has come over from Ireland & is safe in kennels. My boy is quiet reactive but quiet at home, so I have a list of things I like to ask about the new incoming dog so i can keep things civil with the neighbours etc & not upset my yard owner(non horsey/non doggy!) One of my questions was is she a vocalist/very barky & the lady replied that she has a funny quiet bark almost like she has lost her voice! Now there are times when I have contemplated surgically removing my own ears, so while I'm sure we're all going 'ahh how blissful' in the back of my mind I am thinking of why she is like this-should I be concerned,what could it be caused by or is it some indicator of something I should be mindful of. I've had an immensely difficult year losing my 2 mares & three sheep all in quick succession (may to Dec) so could really do with taking on a healthy dog with no known ticking time bombs. Please don't shoot me for being fussy, I just can't cope with more heart ache & would rather make an informed decision.

All I know of her history is that she came over from Ireland & was lifted from a very bad situation living with drug addicts & alcoholics. My initial thoughts were rough lead treatment or some kind of injury from a collar or being tied up..or a blow..then Mum wondered if it could be thyroid related or something more sinister lurking or simply that she hasn't yet learnt to bark properly & only just coming out of her shell. Would you try & pay to get her checked out? She looks/seems happy in other ways & apparently is exceptionally clean & a reall sweetheart tho still needs bringing out of her shell. Just after some thoughts, musings & opinions please..thank you in advance

 

[Sandstone1]

Has she just maybe lost her voice due to being in kennels and barking non stop? Gsds are very vocal as a rule and possibly in a home it might come back?
Otherwise,maybe a problem with larynx?

 

[nianya]

Is it possible that previous owners had her surgically "de barked"? That usually leaves them sounding hoarse. Alternately, with an abuse situation you could be right that her throat was injured from being tied or something.

 

[SaharaS]

Has she just maybe lost her voice due to being in kennels and barking non stop? Gsds are very vocal as a rule and possibly in a home it might come back?
Otherwise,maybe a problem with larynx?

Thank you SS From what I've been told, she came like it & isn't overly barky...which is why I thought injury rather than just voice strain from 'talking' too much-she's been in rescue kennels at least 4 months-I might do some more digging! Rather hoping its nothing nasty & easily fixable even if just with rest...

 

[SaharaS]

Is it possible that previous owners had her surgically "de barked"? That usually leaves them sounding hoarse. Alternately, with an abuse situation you could be right that her throat was injured from being tied or something.

Thank you...um ....from what I've been told it is highly unlikely that they would have 'mis-spent' any of their addiction funds on vets or health or care..she has been kept simply as a yard dog, walked but unsocialized & nobody was allowed to talk to her :-(

 

[Sandstone1]

A hoarse bark can be a sign of larangel paralysis, don't think it's common in gsds though. It's usually older dogs too. Might be worth asking about though.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Possible partial tracheal collapse if she's yanked on a chain, although not common in big breeds, I don't think. Is there any way you could have her assessed or an x Ray done before deciding? What do the centre say and how long has she been there? Is she very vocal in kennels and that's simply why she's hoarse?

 

[SaharaS]

A hoarse bark can be a sign of larangel paralysis, don't think it's common in gsds though. It's usually older dogs too. Might be worth asking about though.

Thank you..I will email them again as the girl I have been in contact with has gone quiet so she may be asking questions before coming back to me...

Possible partial tracheal collapse if she's yanked on a chain, although not common in big breeds, I don't think. Is there any way you could have her assessed or an x Ray done before deciding? What do the centre say and how long has she been there? Is she very vocal in kennels and that's simply why she's hoarse?

Shes been in at least since oct/nov from what I can gather tho I am trying to find out if she was with them before going live on their website after she came over from Ireland..I think I will suggest to them that I have concerns that she might need an xray for either of the conditions you & SS mentioned & see how they react-will also have to find a vet near them so not to stress her too much with an unnecessarily long journey. I hope so much that it really is only from being over vocal in kennels-my initial worry was injury or something nasty..breaks my heart so much. The more I see the non published stories behind what they advertise on the rescue pages that you learn when you ask more & how these dogs are still so loving & trusting, I really question how anyone can do these things to animals-just shows how amazing dogs are. Thank you all very much..I'll post back when I know more