Tonsillitis

I did not realise that dogs have tonsillitis like children. Is it common?

Since dogs have tonsils, they also have tonsillitis. It is quite common particularly in small breeds of dogs. It is much less common in large dogs.

What are the tonsils, and what do they do?

The tonsils are much like lymph nodes (lymph glands). There are two of them, and they are located at each side of the back of the throat. When they are normal, they are not easily seen because they reside in crypts (pouches). Like lymph nodes, their job is to fight infection. When they are doing this, they often become infected themselves and will enlarge. Swollen, red tonsils that are out of their crypts are easily seen in the back of the throat if the dog will permit its mouth to be opened widely.

How did my dog get tonsillitis?

There are certain conditions known to cause tonsillitis. Chronic vomiting, a chronic productive cough, and chronic disease in the mouth will allow bacteria to infect the tonsils. The main cause of chronic disease in the mouth is tartar on the teeth and the infections that are associated with it. Occasionally, primary tonsillitis (no underlying cause) will occur; this is almost always in small breeds of dogs.

What are the clinical signs of a dog with tonsillitis?

When the tonsils enlarge, they are usually quite painful. This causes the dog to gag, as if something is in the throat, or to make exaggerated swallowing motions. Some dogs appear to be licking their lips repeatedly. Most affected dogs are reluctant to eat because of the pain associated with swallowing. They may be hungry and go to the food bowl but refuse to eat. Many dogs with tonsillitis are not as active as normal, but they usually do not have a raised temperature. This is the one characteristic that differs markedly from people with tonsillitis.

"When the tonsils enlarge, they are usually quite painful. This causes the dog to gag, as if something is in the throat, or to make exaggerated swallowing motions."

How is tonsillitis treated?

If an underlying source of the infection can be found, it must be treated. Antibiotics are given for 2-3 weeks in an effort to rid the tonsils of infection and to treat any other infection that may be present. If the teeth are tartar-laden and infected, they should be cleaned.

What about a tonsillectomy?

That is not the first approach to treatment, but it can sometimes become necessary if there is poor response to treatment or if tonsillitis becomes a recurring condition. This is more likely to happen in small breeds of dogs.

Is this contagious to other dogs or to humans?

Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by bacteria that normally are found in the mouth of dogs and humans. Therefore, it is not contagious unless it is caused by an unusual bacterium.

Can a Streptococcal throat be associated with dogs?

Streptococcus pyogenes, the cause of "strep throat" in humans does not cause tonsillitis in dogs or cats. However, dogs and cats can acquire a transient infection with this bacterium when they are in contact with a human with a streptococcal throat infection. Although they do not get the infection, they may harbour the bacterium and pass it on to other people. Therefore, it has been suggested that dogs be treated when family members have streptococcal throat infection, especially if recurring infections occur in the household.