DEVOCALIZATION

By Baylee Wellington, Samii Cameron & Jessica Scott

Samii Cameron

Is a risky surgical procedure which affects the vocal

cords (What is debarking a dog?, n.d.).

The purpose of the procedure is to muffle the bark to

stop the animal from making excessive noise (Barking,

n.d.).

The procedure does not completely silence the dogs

bark but makes it significantly quieter , more like a

whisper when done properly and successfully (Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association [HSVMA], n.d.).

What is Debarking?

Baylee Wellington

The Procedure It is not a minor procedure Takes place in the mouth throat where

there is a lot of bacteria and high chance of infection (HSVMA, n.d.).

A veterinarian removes a section of tissue from the vocal cords or makes a cut in the larynx to prevent vocalization (Mullins, 2012).

Mainly for the benefit of the humans who are annoyed with the animals noises.

It may be a last resort for the animal before it is given up or euthanatized. (American Veterinary Medical Association [AVMA], n.d., Davis, 2003).

A dog may be predisposed to barking. (Auckland Council, n.d.)

Noisy Dog Breeds: Shetland sheep dog Shih Tzu Poodle Bichon Frise English Springer Spanial West Highland White Terrirer

(Auckland Council, n.d.)

http://www.conferenceofbirds.net/race-dog-and-shetland-sheepdog-204.htmlJessica Scott

Why it is Done

Dog Barking Loud

Samii Cameron

“Dogs must only be taken to a veterinarian for debarking after

other suitable means of treating inappropriate barking have been

attempted and have failed” (National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, 2010, pg. 30).

Procedure to be undertaken only by a veterinarian or veterinary

student under veterinary supervision.

It is the veterinarians responsibility to decide whether to perform

the procedure and that it is in the best interests of the animal.

Before procedure is performed all other suitable means of

treating inappropriate barking need to have been attempted and

failed. (National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, 2010, Ministry of Primary Industries, 1999).

LAWS

Samii Cameron

Infections because of amount of bacteria in throat.

- Difficult area to keep sterile

If there is to much scar tissue after surgery, tissue can tighten

over time causing airway to be blocked or constricted meaning

difficulty swallowing and breathing .

In some cases the procedure is unsuccessful and needs to be

performed again.

Ultimately in some cases surgery can result in decreased quality

of life due to scar tissue and severe

infections.

(Mullins, 2012).

Debarked dogs

Side Effects

Baylee Wellington

Effect on Dog The noise that is left behind..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06PXk8gzKjA

The voice is not completely gone (Mullins, 2012)

Dog may still bark just as much, as it hasn't been

trained not to (The Week, 2012)

New bark can really irritate the owners (Ellis-Christensen 2013)

Some dogs still end up in the pound

"I don't understand it. My owner spends weeks teaching me how to speak, and now when I do he tells me to shut

up" (Problem Barking, n.d., para. 26).

Baylee Wellington

Baylee Wellington

Benefits Dog can still make some noise.

Dog is allowed to bark without

being told off

Dog can become less stressed as

it is not in trouble frequently (Ellis-

Christensen, 2013)

Dog gets to stay with the family

Dog gets to live

Prevention may work better than surgery Train a dog not to bark

Need to be consistent Provide adequate stimulus e.g. ToysUse a bark collar or similar deviceSocialize the dogFind what sets off the barking e.g. Neighbours, television etc.

(Millan, C, 2013, Problem Barking, n.d.).

Selecting a dog breed is also important (Auckland Council, n.d.) https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?

pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2123

Jessica Scott

Prevention

What is considered last resort? Training? How long? (Lynch, 2009).

Is the pain of surgery and possible side effects worth it? (HSVMA, n.d.).

Is it done for the animals health? If not, why is it done? (HSVMA, n.d., Ministry of Primary Industries, 1999, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee,2010).

Is it morally right to take an animals voice away? (ColCol, 2006).

Is it fair to take an animal away from it’s family when a surgery can fix the problem? (Lynch, 2009).

Should a dog go through the stress of being told off when a surgery could fix it? (Lynch, 2009).

Vets are even undecided, some think debarking is necessary others say it that it doesn’t need to be done (Lynch, 2009, Davis, 2003).

Jessica Scott

Ethical

American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Welfare Implications of Canine Devocalization. Retrieved from: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Backgrounders/Pages/Canine-Devocalization-Backgrounder.aspx

Auckland Council. (n.d.) Caring for your dog: Choosing the right dog. Retrieved from: http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/licencesregulations/dogsandanimals/caringforyourdog/Pages/choosingtherightdog.aspx

Barking. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.petmed.co.nz/infobase.php?op=view&t=17Butler, K. (2010). Noisy dogs often quietly debarked. Retrieved from: http://www.mnn.com/earth-

matters/animals/stories/noisy-dogs-often-quietly-debarkedChelsea and Westminster hospital . (2010). Scar tissue and contractures. Retrieved from:

http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/your-visit/leaflets/sur/Burns-Scar-Tissue-Contractures-Initial.pdfColCol. (2006, December 12). Debarking [Blog Post]. Retrieved from:

http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/message-board/ubbthreads.php/topics/14742/Debarking.htmlDavis, S. (2003). Practitioners opine on animal welfare issues. DVM: The Newsmagazine Of

Veterinary Medicine, 34(12), 1S-11S. Retrieved from: http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.ucol.ac.nz/ehost/detail?sid=135b2459-e989-4bfc-b8b4-02b5993ecff4%40sessionmgr115&vid=15&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=11651028

Ellis-Christensen, T (2013). What is Debarking a Dog. Retrieved from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-debarking-a-dog.htm

Referencing

Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association [HSVMA]. (n.d.). Devocalization fact sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/.../devocalization-fact-sheet-1.pdf

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology. (2013). Cordotomy and Parcial Aritenoidectomy for the Treatment of Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis in Adduction. Retrieved from: http://www.internationalarchivesent.org/conteudo/acervo_eng.asp?id=445

Lynch, K. (2009). Surgery barking up the wrong tree, says vet. Retrieved from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2779799/Surgery-barking-up-the-wrong-tree-says-vet

Ministry of Primary Industries. (1999). Guide to the animal welfare act 1999: Table of contents. Retrieved from: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/legislation/animal-welfare-act/guide/index.htm#care

Mullins, M. (2012). Ventriculocordectomy: dog debarking under fire as devocalizing continues. Retrieved from: http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/ventriculocordectomy-debarking-dog-devocalizing/2012/11/13/id/464006

National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. (2010). Dogs: Animal Welfare: Code of Welfare 2010: A code of welfare issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Retrieved from: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/regs/animal-welfare/req/codes/dogs/dogs-code-of-welfare.pdf

Problem Barking. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.doglinks.co.nz/problems/problems.htmWashington Voice Consortium (2003). Vocal fold granuloma. Retrieved from:

http://www.voiceproblem.org/disorders/granuloma/understanding.phpWhat is debarking a dog? (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-debarking-a-

dog.htm