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Devocalization
Devocalization (also known as ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy; when performed on a dog debarking or bark softening; when performed on a cat demeowing or meow softening) is a surgical procedure where tissue is removed from the vocal cords.
Devocalization is usually performed at the request of an animal owner (where the procedure is legally permitted). The procedure may be forcefully requested as a result of a court order. Owners or breeders generally request the procedure because of excessive animal vocalizations, complaining neighbors, or as an alternative to euthanasia due to a court order.
Risks of the procedure include negative reaction to anesthesia, infection, bleeding, and pain. There is also the possibility that the removed tissue will grow back, or of scar tissue blocking the throat – both cases requiring further surgeries – though with the incisional technique the risk of fibrosis is virtually eliminated.
The devocalization procedure does not take away a dog's ability to bark. Dogs will normally bark just as much as before the procedure. After the procedure, the sound will be softer, typically about half as loud as before, or less, and it is not as sharp or piercing.
Most devocalized dogs have a subdued "husky" bark, audible up to 20 metres.
The surgery may be performed via the animal's mouth, with a portion of the vocal folds removed using a biopsy punch, cautery tool, scissor, or laser. The procedure may also be performed via an incision in the throat and through the larynx, which is a more invasive technique. All devocalization procedures require general anesthesia.
Chronic, excessive vocalization may be due to improper socialization or training, stress, boredom, fear, or frustration. Up to 35% of dog owners report problems with barking, which can cause disputes and legal problems. The behavior is more common among some breeds of dog, such as the Shetland Sheepdog, which are known as loud barkers, due to the nature of the environment in which the breed was developed.
In some regions of the US and in the UK, convenience devocalization is considered a form of surgical mutilation. Most veterinarians and the RSPCA offer information to behavioral schools on how to train dogs not to bark.
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Devocalization
Devocalization (also known as ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy; when performed on a dog debarking or bark softening; when performed on a cat demeowing or meow softening) is a surgical procedure where tissue is removed from the vocal cords.
Devocalization is usually performed at the request of an animal owner (where the procedure is legally permitted). The procedure may be forcefully requested as a result of a court order. Owners or breeders generally request the procedure because of excessive animal vocalizations, complaining neighbors, or as an alternative to euthanasia due to a court order.
Risks of the procedure include negative reaction to anesthesia, infection, bleeding, and pain. There is also the possibility that the removed tissue will grow back, or of scar tissue blocking the throat – both cases requiring further surgeries – though with the incisional technique the risk of fibrosis is virtually eliminated.
The devocalization procedure does not take away a dog's ability to bark. Dogs will normally bark just as much as before the procedure. After the procedure, the sound will be softer, typically about half as loud as before, or less, and it is not as sharp or piercing.
Most devocalized dogs have a subdued "husky" bark, audible up to 20 metres.
The surgery may be performed via the animal's mouth, with a portion of the vocal folds removed using a biopsy punch, cautery tool, scissor, or laser. The procedure may also be performed via an incision in the throat and through the larynx, which is a more invasive technique. All devocalization procedures require general anesthesia.
Chronic, excessive vocalization may be due to improper socialization or training, stress, boredom, fear, or frustration. Up to 35% of dog owners report problems with barking, which can cause disputes and legal problems. The behavior is more common among some breeds of dog, such as the Shetland Sheepdog, which are known as loud barkers, due to the nature of the environment in which the breed was developed.
In some regions of the US and in the UK, convenience devocalization is considered a form of surgical mutilation. Most veterinarians and the RSPCA offer information to behavioral schools on how to train dogs not to bark.