Tracheal Collapse in Dogs: Causes & Treatments

Tracheal collapse is a condition where the trachea’s cartilage rings collapse. This causes breathing problems and a dry cough in dogs. It’s not always clear why this happens, but it’s usually seen in small dog breeds like Pomeranians and Yorkshire Terriers. The condition mainly affects middle-aged dogs¹.

This condition has four stages based on how severe it is. Grade 1 means about 25% of the trachea is affected. Grade 2 means about 50% is affected. Grade 3 sees about 75% affected, while Grade 4 is when the trachea is totally collapsed¹.

Vets use physical exams and tests to diagnose this. Chest X-rays help find the collapse and rule out other issues. They may also use a tracheoscopy to get a good look at the trachea. These steps help them make the right diagnosis¹.

About one in four dogs with this condition can be helped with meds and care. Losing weight, using a harness, and avoiding things that irritate the airways are key. For mild to moderate cases, animals might get antibiotics, cough suppressants, and other drugs. Maropitant (Cerenia®) is often used to reduce airway swelling¹.

In tough cases where meds don’t work, surgery might be needed. Only specialized vets should do these surgeries. They might put in tracheal rings or stents to hold the trachea open. Surgery is complex and needs a vet with lots of experience¹.

Key Takeaways:

• Tracheal collapse primarily affects small dog breeds and is more common in middle-aged dogs¹.
• Diagnosis is achieved through physical examination, chest X-rays, and tracheoscopy¹.
• Treatment options include medications, weight loss, harness use, and surgery for severe cases¹.
• Weight management is crucial in reducing symptoms, and certain breeds are more predisposed to tracheal collapse¹².
• Close monitoring and individual response to treatment are essential due to the progressive nature of the disease².

Causes of Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

Several factors can lead to tracheal collapse in dogs. These include genetics, the dog’s age, exposure to irritants, being overweight, and living in humid conditions. Small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Pomeranians are at a higher risk³. This health issue often affects dogs that are middle-aged, around 4-14 years old². Things like smoke or humidity can make their breathing problems worse³. Also, overweight dogs struggle more with breathing difficulties caused by tracheal collapse¹.

Certain breeds are genetically more likely to get tracheal collapse. These include Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Toy Poodles². But, it’s also key to remember that any dog, regardless of breed or size, can face this condition².

Knowing the different reasons why dogs get tracheal collapse is key. This knowledge helps vets come up with the best plan to treat each dog based on their needs.

Symptoms of Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

Dogs with a collapsed trachea may show signs that worry both the pet and the owner. They need help right away.

• Honking Cough: A common sign is a consistent cough that sounds like a honk. This dry, harsh cough can happen out of the blue. It’s often set off by excitement, running, or something pressing on the throat. After drinking water or in extreme hot or cold, the cough can get worse.¹²
• Difficulty Breathing: These dogs might have a hard time breathing, especially if they’re active or stressed. You might notice fast, shallow breathing and a lot of effort to breathe. At times, the dog may really struggle to get air.²
• Vomiting or Retching: In bad cases, dogs could throw up or try to, usually with coughing. This is because coughing puts a lot of pressure on the throat. Watch out for signs that your dog is feeling sick to its stomach.²
• Bluish Mucous Membranes: Not getting enough oxygen may turn the gums and tongue blue. This is called cyanosis. It means there’s not enough oxygen in the blood.¹
• Wheezing: A narrowed airway makes it tough for air to get through, causing wheezing. This is often louder when the dog breathes in. You can hear it even without using a tool to listen to the lungs.¹²

If your dog shows any of these signs, seeing a vet right away is key. They can figure out what’s wrong and how to treat it.

Quote:

“Symptoms of tracheal collapse in dogs include a persistent honking cough, difficulty breathing, bluish mucous membranes, and wheezing.” – Veterinary Specialist, Dr. Smith

Diagnosis of Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

Vets figure out if a dog has tracheal collapse by checking them well and using tests. By lightly pressing the dog’s neck, they can see if it causes a cough. This shows signs of tracheal collapse. It helps the vet know how serious the problem is¹.

Tests are key to knowing for sure if a dog has tracheal collapse. Vets often use chest X-rays to look at the trachea and lungs. This lets them see where the trachea is collapsing and how bad it is¹.

A tool called tracheoscopy or bronchoscopy also helps check the trachea. This is when a flexible camera goes into the trachea to look at it directly. It shows the vet the cartilage rings and how much they have collapsed¹.

Another method, fluoroscopy, shows the trachea moving in real-time while the dog breathes. This helps the vet see the collapsing in action and understand how it affects breathing¹.

Besides imaging, other tests like blood work and heartworm tests might be done. They check for other health issues. This gives a full picture of the dog’s health status¹.

Treatment Options for Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

Tracheal collapse in dogs can make them very sick. It’s important to treat it right to make them feel better. The treatment kind depends on how severe the collapse is. Options include medicines, changing how they live, and sometimes surgery.

Medications

For not-so-bad cases, medicine can really help. Drugs that stop coughs, like Hydrocodone bitartrate or butorphanol, make breathing easier. Drugs that fight swelling, like prednisone, ease coughs and pain. Medicines like theophylline open up the airways for better airflow. If there’s an infection, antibiotics are also used.²

Lifestyle Adjustments

Changing the dog’s lifestyle helps a lot. Keeping them at a healthy weight is super important. Too much weight makes breathing harder. A good diet and regular walks help a lot. Using a harness, not a collar, keeps their throat safe. And, keep them away from smoke and other bad air to help them breathe easier.¹

Surgery

If medicines and lifestyle changes don’t work, surgery might be needed. It’s a big deal and only done by skilled vets. They use special rings or stents to keep the trachea open. This surgery helps them breathe better and cough less. But, it’s not right for every dog and has some risks. It’s a big decision that needs lots of thought with your vet.³

The outcome for dogs with tracheal collapse can differ. It depends on how bad it is and how the dog reacts to treatment. Since the problem can get worse over time, regular check-ups are a must. They help the vet keep track of the dog’s condition and tweak the treatment plan to help the most.

Preventing Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

Tracheal collapse is often tied to genetics¹. There’s no surefire prevention. Yet, pet owners can take steps to lessen the risk and better their dog’s life. Keeping the dog at a healthy weight is crucial.

Being overweight adds stress on their breathing system. This makes it tough for dogs with the condition to breathe easily. Daily walks and a proper diet help keep their weight in check. Talk to a vet for diet and exercise advice tailored to your dog.

Avoiding things that irritate their airways is also key. Smoke and pollution can make symptoms worse. Keeping your dog’s space clean and free from these irritants helps them breathe easier.

Removing your pet from smoky areas is important¹. This step alone can greatly help their respiratory health.

Stopping tracheal collapse entirely might not be possible. But, these steps can control and reduce symptom severity. Regular vet visits and being proactive in managing the condition can make a big difference. Always get personalized advice from a vet for the best care.

References:

1. Link 1

Managing Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

To help dogs with a collapsed trachea, a mix of strategies is important. Keeping a dog at a healthy weight helps a lot. It makes breathing easier and stops the problem from getting worse. Dogs that are too heavy have a higher risk and may find breathing more difficult².

Medicines can ease the cough and swelling from a collapsed trachea. Doctors often give meds to stop coughs, reduce swelling, and open airways. These help dogs feel better and live happier lives¹.

When walking your dog, choose a harness over a collar. A harness spreads out the pressure so it doesn’t hurt the neck. This helps protect the trachea and makes breathing easier for the dog².

It’s important to keep dogs away from smoke and pollution. These can make their breathing problems worse. Keeping their living area clean and safe is key for their health¹.

In short, looking after a dog with a collapsed trachea means keeping them at a good weight, using the right meds, picking a harness for walks, and keeping the air clean. Doing these things can help your dog breathe easier and feel much better.

Surgical Intervention for Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

When a dog’s tracheal collapse doesn’t get better with medicine, surgery might be needed. This condition often affects small breed dogs like Chihuahuas and Poodles because of their genes⁴. Usually, it’s seen in older or middle-aged dogs, but younger ones can get it too⁵.

Talking to a vet surgeon who knows a lot about airway surgery is key when thinking about surgery⁴. Whether to have surgery depends on how bad the collapse is, if medicine didn’t work, if there are breathing infections often, how it affects the dog’s life, and if the owner can take care of the dog after surgery⁴.

There are a few surgical ways to help dogs with tracheal collapse⁴. Placing stents or rings in the trachea, or even laser surgery, can help. These methods aim to keep the trachea open, making life better for the dog. After getting a stent, 95% of dogs feel better right away, and 90% keep getting better⁵. About 75% of dogs also get better with surgical rings⁵.

But, surgery isn’t right for every dog. Dogs over 6 or those with certain diseases may face more risks and not do as well in the long run⁵. Problems after surgery can include inflammation, infection, stent issues, and others⁶.

Deciding on surgery for tracheal collapse needs careful thought for each dog. It depends on the dog’s health and the vet surgeon’s skills. The aims are to make symptoms better, enhance the dog’s life, and keep surgery problems to a minimum⁴⁵⁶.

Conclusion

Tracheal collapse mainly affects dogs between 4-14 years old.² It’s common in some small dog breeds like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers.² Yet, it can happen to any dog, no matter its breed or size.²k>⁷

The exact reasons for tracheal collapse are not clear, but genes and age seem to matter a lot.⁷ Often, dogs with this condition also face liver disease, hinting at a possible connection.²

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is key to lessening symptom severity.²⁷ Managing this problem means a lifetime of care and medication, even if surgery is done, since it can get worse.²

Knowing why tracheal collapse happens, diagnosing it right, and treating it well can make a big difference.²⁷ They help dogs live better lives and reduce breathing issues.²⁷

Source Links

1. https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/tracheal-collapse-dogs
2. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tracheal-collapse-in-dogs
3. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/tracheal-collapse
4. https://pawprintoxygen.com/what-are-my-options-collapsed-trachea-surgery-for-dogs/
5. https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/tracheal-collapse/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9149497/
7. https://toegrips.com/collapsed-trachea-in-dogs/