This is the name given to inflammation of the larynx; the larynx being the upper part of the windpipe and the organ of the voice, or of what corresponds to the voice in the canine species.

This disease is met with especially amongst such pet dogs as are brought up with care, and are protected from inclement and variable weather. The chief exciting causes are exposure to cold or damp, drinking cold water, etc. In some instances laryngitis comes on at the termination of an attack of distemper, in which case there is a dry, slight, and convulsive cough.

Symptoms

The premonitory symptoms are dulness and loss of appetite and of sportiveness. The dog has likewise a slight cough, which comes on frequently, and which makes the respiration panting and accelerated. The cough continues to increase in intensity, and assumes a convulsive character. During the convulsive fits of coughing the dog makes violent efforts, as if he wished to disengage some foreign body fixed in the larynx or pharynx; biliary and glairy matters are expelled from the stomach by the spasmodic contraction of the abdominal muscles, whose action concurs in the production of the cough; the nasal orifices are surrounded by a sticky discharge, which provokes frequent sneezings; and there is a discharge of saliva. The pulse is hard and quick; the breathing difficult, sonorous, and suffocative; the act of swallowing is performed with more or less difficulty. If the disease be not checked, the respiration becomes more and more difficult until the dog dies from suffocation.

Laryngitis may terminate in health, or in chronic laryngitis; which latter form, besides being a sequel of the acute form, may likewise arise in the first instance as a primary disease induced by repeated exposures to cold or to change of temperature.

In the foregoing, or acute form, the danger arises from diminution of the aperture of the glottis, through which the air passes into and out of the lungs. The mucous membrane lining this part becomes swollen under the inflammatory action, or the subjacent areolar tissue becomes infiltrated with serum, and the animal is as effectually suffocated as if his nose were held under water. As the danger depends more on the situation of the disease than on its severity or extent, it might be worth while to make an opening in the trachea (as is done in man) below the part affected, through which the breathing could be carried on until the disease subsides.

Chronic Laryngitis is characterized by hoarse cough, occurring in paroxysms, and attended with a mattery, tenacious discharge. The dog's bark is likewise altered in sound, being peculiarly rough, cracked, and stridulus. This form may supervene on the acute variety; or it may arise slowly under the influence of repeated exposures to cold, or to changes of temperature.

Some cases of "chronic cough" depend on structural disease of the larynx, or, more frequently, on chronic inflammation of its mucous membrane. When a cough has continued for a long time, without proving amenable to any treatment, however judiciously and perseveringly applied; when it has the peculiar character above described; and when it is provoked by excitement, or cold, or violent exercise, the probability is, that the seat of the irritation is the larynx.

Treatment

Acute laryngitis requires prompt treatment to avert a fatal issue.

Aconitum* is indicated at the commencement of the disease when symptoms of febrile action are present; when the cough is spasmodic or hoarse, and either dry or accompanied with scanty discharge of frothy mucus; and when the breathing is quickened, oppressed, and impeded. In many cases aconitum is alone sufficient to effect a cure.

* For directions as to the dose, etc., of these medicines, refer to the "Introductory Remarks".

Spongia is a valuable remedy when the cough is hoarse and spasmodic, and without any expectoration; when the expiration is noisy, rough, and wheezing, and the region of the larynx tender to the touch; and when there is marked difficulty in drawing in the breath.

Hepar sulphuris should follow the last medicine when the difficulty of breathing seems to arise from accumulation of tenacious mucus, and when there is rattling of mucus.

Belladonna is useful for spasmodic cough occurring in paroxysms, and difficulty of swallowing.

The treatment of chronic laryngitis depends on the nature and extent of the local lesion.

Kali bichromicum is suitable for cough, excited by pressure, and attended with purulent discharge, and when one particular spot of the larynx is tender to the touch, and probably the seat of ulceration in one of the cartilages.

Acidum nitricum, Calcarea carbonica, Bromine, are also efficacious in special cases.