Aladygma – News

I though this was a joke until I realised it was actually for real. The very latest in surgical procedures for your dog is to remove their bark to help stop annoying the neighbours. You guessed it right, your dog literally has his voice box removed which I think is a little bizzarre in all honesty.

This procedure is new in New Zealand and many vet surgeons have been experimenting with the idea. Some dogs are de-barked because the constant barking angered owners and neighbours and something simply had to be done. The surgical procedure is a little vulgar in my opinion but many animal hospital institutions have been over-run by the demand. Many pet owners are worrying about the post-trauma caused by such a procedure but vets are assuring the animal cardiology is not affected in any way. Veterinary Surgeon, Lance McKay from Auckland Vet Institution has explained that during the surgery a tiny bit of tissue is removed from the dogs vocal chords but barking is not fully removed. The bark is not fully removed. In its place is a light cough/whisper which is a little weird really. Yet this procedure does have its limits in New Zealand. Before this surgery is granted the owner and vet have to both agree that it is in the interests of the dog and not the owner. These conditions are stipulated in the animal Welfare Act of 1999. The veterinary council of New Zealand recently reminded vets all of the country that every other possible avenue must be explored before they investigate the possibility of removing vocal chords.

Many surgeons from across the board have gone against this new procedure and many vets refuse to go through with this procedure. In my opinion it is a little vulgar and wrong to have a dog with no bark regardless of the circumstances. I hope that vets are considering all other avenues before they commit to such a procedure.