Debarked Dogs

[ClantyreSheltie]

Would love a vet to step in here and advise as to when and if the tissue grows back.

I've often wondered whether to "do" Indy again, though I've been focussing on training (not so successfully) instead.

It doesn't take a vet to explain. I had Liesl done at around a year old. It grew back within months. I had her done again at like 2. The vet came out and told me the original had almost completely healed over. It healed "well" again, and you heard her on the video, it's like she was never done. Some dogs just have fantastic immune systems. That's not a bad thing.

 

[The Quahog]

I think it goes without saying that I can not draw from personal experience to pretend any expertise on the debarking procedure.
However i seem to recall from lectures a long time ago that the older method was to cut a wedge out of the vocal folds which rendered them ineffective, but ran the risk of scarring and folding that could be damaging.
The 'hole punch' technique is more humane (did I say that part out loud?) and less risky, however I do believe that scarring can fill in the holes and reverse the effect.

Again, do not take this as gospel- trust me, i have not kept up with the latest developments in debarking surgery, and I ain't about to start now, for which i offer no apologies. - Dr. Mac

 

[missjenneygirl]

I for one, really like and respect the vets that have personal convictions with how they treat their patients.

Every time I have the opportunity to speak casually with a vet, I always ask, "So, how do you feel about feeding raw for dogs?". "Have you had to deal with surgeries from dogs fed raw?"
Or, "Do you de-bark dogs, and have you had any experience will ill effects?". These are wonderful learning experiences for me, to get another point of view.
Actually, an experts point of view.

You're my kind of vet, Dr. Mac!

 

[Caro]

Soon we will be moving to an apartment, and I am concerned that it could be a serious problem.

We are moving to Ft Worth, TX, and I have read that they have some stiff laws about altering a dog. Anybody have some ideas?

Just double check the laws of the place you are moving to. Over here one State introduced strict laws on altering dogs which prevented any altered dog (debarked, tail docked, ears cropped) from participating in public events or shows. The law applies to interstate dogs that move to Victoria or come down for an event as well. So a debarked dog cannot participate in dog shows, sports events or even events like dogs day out. Because I compete in Victoria at the Flyball Nationals it means I can't get my dogs debarked.

 

[The Quahog]

Well, thank you for that.
Yes, don't ask this curmudgeon for an opinion unless you want to hear one.
Seriously, I would be curious to hear from Lightplum (with whom we have had debarking discussions before) what RI veterinarians specialize in the procedure. Veterinarians are a very small fraternity - I guess its now more of a sorority- look up attorneys or physicians in your Yellow Pages (yes, they still publish one ) then look at veterinarians. We all know each other, and I would guess that none of the ones I know more or less well do the procedure, and likely frown on it.
I have not had a single inquiry on the subject in my practice that I can remember in 20 years. Though when I had a practice in North Carolina back in the 80s I recall it came up not infrequently. - Dr. Mac

 

[missjenneygirl]

I can say pretty much with certainty, the Lightplum's de-bark was done in another state.

 

[Sharon]

Debarked

Shadow's has come back somewhat and to me it is still annoying but not as bad as it was.I have people say to me oh his bark is so quiet I wish my dog barked like that.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Again, do not take this as gospel- trust me, i have not kept up with the latest developments in debarking surgery, and I ain't about to start now, for which i offer no apologies. - Dr. Mac

I think there may be lasers involved, but the seem to use lasers for everything now. <evil laughter, "we're popping popcorn with LASERS!", sorry couldn't help myself >

I have not had a single inquiry on the subject in my practice that I can remember in 20 years.

And right there goes half the argument they use to attempt to ban debarking, "everybody is doing it, including drug dealers". It's not like docking tails or cropping ears or altering (which are inquiries you probably get frequently). People don't know it exists, and I'm OK with that.

 

[Sharon]

Debarked

I think there may be lasers involved, but the seem to use lasers for everything now. <evil laughter, "we're popping popcorn with LASERS!", sorry couldn't help myself

I have not had a single inquiry on the subject in my practice that I can remember in 20 years.

And right there goes half the argument they use to attempt to ban debarking, "everybody is doing it, including drug dealers". It's not like docking tails or cropping ears or altering (which are inquiries you probably get frequently). People don't know it exists, and I'm OK with that.

Sting's was done with laser.

 

[Justme]

As somebody who would someday like to have another Sheltie, all of this talk about excessive barking is discouraging.

My (deceased) Sheltieboy wasn't like that at all. He enjoyed barking, but did so in moderation, and always quieted down when I told him to. He had a pleasant sounding voice too.