Your dog has a pair of tonsils at the back of its throat that help fight infection. Tonsillitis is when these tonsils are inflamed: swollen, red and easily seen.
CAUSES:
The inflammation is caused by:
Dental disease: tartar builds on the teeth, the gums become inflamed, and your dog’s tonsils may be affected
Any condition in the mouth that allows bacteria to multiply in the throat
Other causes include:
Chronic vomiting
Chronic productive cough
Foreign object stuck in mouth
SIGNS:
Enlarged tonsils are very painful. Signs may include:
Gagging
Coughing
Salivating
Licking lips
Refusing food (because it is painful to swallow)
Listlessness
DIAGNOSIS:
Your veterinarian will simply examine your dog’s tonsils. If they are inflamed, the veterinarian will see them easily.
TREATMENT:
Some treatments your veterinarian may recommend include:
Treating the source of infection: teeth cleaning in the case of dental disease
Antibiotics: to treat the infection
Anti-inflammatory treatment: to relieve pain
Tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils): if your dog is not responding to treatment or there is frequent recurrence. This is rarely done because tonsils are crucial in fighting infections.
PREVENTION:
The best preventative measure against tonsillitis is to make sure your dog has excellent oral hygiene.
PROGNOSIS:
The prognosis depends on the underlying cause, but generally, tonsillitis is not a serious condition. In young dogs, tonsillitis often resolves on its own or with the use of antibiotics.
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