Collapsed Trachea In Dogs: Symptoms, Cause & Care

Last Updated on August 17, 2023 by Fumipets

Collapsed Trachea in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Care

 

Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

---

Collapsed trachea in dogs is a condition that may sound serious – like they need to be rushed to the veterinary clinic and may not survive to the following day. However, many dogs really have happy lives for years despite having collapsed trachea (windpipe). The ailment is not life-threatening until it reaches its most advanced level.

A collapsed trachea may be controlled with medicine, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery even though there is no known cure. Continue reading to find out what you can do to make your dog feel better.

What Is a Collapsed Trachea?

Similar to a vacuum hose, the trachea is a flexible tube with rings of cartilage spanning the length of it to give it structure and keep it open. Tracheal collapse happens when the tube flattens due to the pressure of your dog breathing in and part of the cartilage begins to deteriorate.

According to Joao Felipe De Brito Galvao, MV, MS, a board-certified specialist in small animal internal medicine at VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois, this narrows the airway, making it difficult for your dog to breathe properly and causing coughing spells.

What Causes Collapsed Trachea in Dogs?

Although the specific origin of collapsed trachea in dogs is unknown, there does seem to be a genetic component since certain breeds are more susceptible to the problem, such as:

• Chihuahuas

• Lhasa apsos

• Pomeranians

• Shih tzus

• Toy poodles

• Yorkshire terriers

Any dog, regardless of age, might get a collapsed trachea. However, elderly or middle-aged small breeds are more likely to experience it.

Signs and Symptoms of Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

A dry cough that sounds like a honking goose is the most obvious symptom of a collapsed trachea. Additional signs include:

• Wheezing on inhalation

• Coughing when excited, picked up, or pulled by the collar

• Coughing during exercise

• Difficulty breathing

• Fainting

Treatment for Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

Dogs with collapsed tracheas might get a variety of treatments. In most cases, the illness is treated with medication, which, according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, is effective in up to 70% of dogs. However, because collapsed trachea is a chronic, degenerative condition, your dog may ultimately need surgery to keep the airway open.

Cough Suppressants

Coughing is a vicious cycle for dogs with collapsed tracheas since the disease causes it and coughing aggravates an already inflamed trachea. You probably guessed it—more coughing follows.

To reduce coughing, veterinarians often prescribe sedatives like hydrocodone and cough suppressants. According to Galvao, the sedative also keeps animals from becoming anxious or aroused, which would cause them to cough again.

Other Medications

Aside from cough suppressants, veterinarians may also recommend medicines like prednisone to treat airway irritation. Galvao notes that treating airway infections, which might exacerbate respiratory diseases, with antibiotics like doxycycline may also be beneficial.

Surgery

When a collapsed trachea makes it exceedingly difficult for dogs to breathe, surgery is required. When a dog’s trachea collapses, there are two different methods that might be used.

For neck-based trachea collapse, the initial option is a standard operation. To support the softening cartilage, plastic rings are placed outside the trachea. The success rate of the procedure is 75%. However, Galvao notes that “this procedure requires an incision and is associated with complications.”

A minimally invasive technique that inserts a stent (a hollow, metal-mesh tube) into the trachea to prop it open is another option. The procedure is carried out without the need for an incision; the veterinary surgeon enters the patient’s mouth to access the tracheal aperture and is directed by ongoing X-ray pictures as to where to put the stent. Canines with neck- or chest-collapsed trachea may benefit from this surgery. 90 percent of the dogs then exhibit improvement.

Galvao warns that symptoms may not totally disappear. “Coughing may persist since the stent itself may irritate the trachea to some extent. However, a collapsed trachea won’t become life-threatening thanks to the stent.

Most dogs continue taking medicine to treat their disease for the rest of their lives after either treatment.

Home Remedies

There are many things you can do at home to make your dog with a collapsed trachea feel better in addition to following your vet’s advice. They’re all focused on lessening your dog’s coughing episodes.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is a great place to start. That’s because symptoms of a collapsed trachea are worse when a person is overweight. Additionally, avoid utilizing neck leads since they create strain on the trachea. Instead, go on short, daily walks with a body harness when the weather is agreeable outdoors since hot weather and strenuous activity make dogs pant, which may exacerbate coughing.

Encourage your dog to remain quiet and peaceful at home, and stay away from circumstances that you know would agitate your dog. Since secondhand smoke irritates the lungs, a smoke-free atmosphere may also be quite beneficial.

Your pet may still cough sometimes despite your best attempts to prevent it. Follow the directions on the cough suppressant your veterinarian recommended. worn out? You may try honey in a pinch. It works as a natural cough suppressant for humans and could also calm your dog’s throat. For every 20 pounds of your dog, add one teaspoon of it to the water dish. As much as three times each day are allowed.

Dogs may often take honey as a home treatment without any problems, according to Alena Abens, DVM, the medical director of the VCA Chicago North Animal Hospital. But you should speak with your veterinarian if you don’t think it’s working.

How Long Can a Dog Live With a Collapsed Trachea?

According to Galvao, a dog with a collapsed trachea has no specific life expectancy. It varies greatly depending on the degree of trachea collapse, the pet’s behavior, and how it develops over time. However, by maintaining the airway open and avoiding respiratory collapse, a tracheal stent may considerably extend the pet’s life.

In conclusion, tracheal collapse is a condition that is controllable. After a diagnosis, the majority of dogs may have pretty typical lives, so there are undoubtedly still plenty of adorable moments in store for you and your canine companion.

---

---