Tonsillitis in Dogs

Every veterinarian has heard the remark, "I didn't know a dog had tonsils." And the veterinarian would like to respond with, "Yes, and they have hearts and lungs and kidneys, too," but we hold our tongues and explain that inflammation of the tonsils is not an unusual finding. As is now the case in human medicine, we rarely remove them as was done in the past but utilize antibiotics to combat the infection that is the usual cause of tonsillitis.

Fungus or Mycotic Infections

There is no evidence that mycotic diseases other than ringworm are transmitted from dog to man or vice versa, and there is also little evidence that they are transmitted from dog to dog. Some of these diseases have specific geographical distribution, whereas others are found everywhere.

To identify the causative agent the bacteriologist uses specific media to grow specific fungal agents in and special stains to identify them.

When these diseases become generalized many infected dog will not survive even with treatment. Specific treatment is necessary for specific diseases and that is why the bacteriological identification is critical. When successful treatment either with or without surgery is protracted, often extending over many months.

Dogs suffering from tonsillitis would be seen retching, coughing, anorexia, fever and shaking of head. The animal will also feel lethargic and it would find difficulty in swallowing.

Diagnosis Tonsillitis in Dogs

• The physician would at first check the neck region and try to feel the tonsil with the hands. The affected dog would have swollen and inflamed nostrils.
• Tonsillitis is actually not a disease but one of the symptoms of the incidence of an internal disorder. So, the vet doctor carries out tests to determine possible diseases that are generally accompanied by tonsillitis.
• Bacterial culture is done to detect the presence of any form of bacteria causing disease.
• Cytology is carried out to study the cell structure for determining the structure of cancer.
• Radiographs or X-rays are also taken in order to find out the presence of any foreign material in the tonsil region.

• The treatment of tonsillitis is actually based on healing the underlying disease that has actually caused the infection of the tonsil gland.
• In case no internal body disease gets detected the introduction of antibodies may be carried out.
• The treatment for severe cases of tonsillitis or repeated instances of tonsillitis can be an operative surgery by which the tonsil gland is removed.