Collapsed trachea in dogs is a condition that sounds dire—like you need to rush to the animal hospital and your pet might not make it to the next day. But in truth, many dogs live a good life with a collapsed trachea (windpipe) for years. Only at its most severe stage is the condition life-threatening.
When these rings become weakened, it allows the trachea to flatten whenever your dog inhales. In the early stages of collapse, known as grade 1, this is an uncomfortable annoyance. But if left untreated the condition can progress to grade 4 where breathing becomes very difficult or even impossible.
With severe tracheal collapse, the condition can become a serious, life-threatening problem complicated by spells of severe respiratory distress. Bouts of severe coughing and respiratory distress negatively affect the prognosis.
It may be time to consider euthanasia in a dog with tracheal collapse if they are experiencing the following complications: Secondary pneumonia from their collapsing trachea. Cardiac disease. Frequent fits of respiratory distress.
Most dogs with tracheal collapse can be treated with medications and preventative care, such as weight loss, using a harness for walks, and avoiding airway irritants. Once the vet makes a diagnosis, they may prescribe medication to manage coughing and inflammation.
Collapsed trachea in dogs is a condition that sounds dire—like you need to rush to the animal hospital and your pet might not make it to the next day. But in truth, many dogs live a good life with a collapsed trachea (windpipe) for years. Only at its most severe stage is the condition life-threatening.
Cause. The trachea is a flexible tube supported by rings of C-shaped cartilage that hold the airway open during breathing and other movements. Tracheal collapse is caused when the cartilage rings weaken — flattening them and narrowing the airway.
2. Ruffwear Hi and Light Lightweight Dog Harness. Dogs with tracheal collapse still need to exercise, but they may need to take things down a notch. Leisurely, slow-paced walks are the best way to maintain your dog's weight while avoiding a coughing flare-up.
Tracheal collapse is another airway disease that occurs when thetrachea or windpipe, becomes narrow due to mineralized cartilage rings or sagging soft tissue. Once narrowed, it can significantly affect your dog's breathing both awake and while asleep due to the trachea becoming partially obstructed.
The most common clinical sign is a persistent, dry, harsh cough. It is sometimes described as a 'goose honk' cough. The cough may worsen at night, with excitement, with pressure on the trachea, such as from a collar, during hot or humid weather, or immediately after eating or drinking.
Tommy's bed has raised sides and he uses it as a pillow and this helps him breathe easier. You could give your dog a pillow or rolled-up blanket in their bed to allow them to raise their head if needed.
A dab of honey given with meals and also when coughing fits occur can be helpful. Acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system, decrease phlegm, and increase strength of the cartilage rings and muscle in the trachea. Use a harness instead of a collar.
Many dogs pull strongly, so collars may not be the best idea for their training. Using a collar on a dog that already knows how to walk nicely is best. If your dog pulls firmly on the leash, the collar will tighten around its throat, leading to potential trachea collapse or injury.
It may be triggered by exercise and excitement, worsen with pressure on the windpipe such as when a leash is used, or increase at night, after eating or drinking.
About 70% of dogs that are treated with medical management alone will show some improvement. About 75% of dogs improve after surgical placement of rings. Dogs that are older than 6 years of age or that have laryngeal or bronchial disease have more complications and a poorer long-term outcome.
Tracheal collapse is a common problem in dogs, especially smaller breeds. The condition is diagnosed most commonly in older dogs and it can cause chronic coughing. Yorkshire Terriers and Pomeranians are the breeds most commonly affected. The severity of tracheal collapse in dogs is based on a grade scale.
The cost for mild cases can be as low as $0 to $30 a month. More severely affected dogs requiring advanced diagnostics such as scopings and ultrasounds can expect to incur $500 to $2,000 in testing alone. Stent surgery itself can add another $2,000 to $5,000 to the bill.
Although the classic symptom of a collapsing trachea is a cough, a mild snoring noise may also be created. It happens most often in small-breed dogs as the cartilage surrounding their trachea can be weak and incompletely formed.
Realize that collapsing trachea is not a curable problem, but also not one to give up hope on. With the right medication combina- tion, weight loss if needed, and common-sense approaches like using a harness instead of a collar, most dogs can achieve a normal lifestyle despite collapsing trachea.
If your pet reaches the point where distress seems extreme, your pets gums appear pale or blue or if collapse results, treat this as an emergency and rush your pet to the veterinarian. Tracheal collapse is a disease primarily affecting toy breed dogs that results from degeneration of the tracheal cartilage rings.
Clinical Symptoms of Tracheal Collapse
Goose honk sounding cough that is often triggered by excitement, eating or drinking, barking excessively, or pulling on the leash. Allergies and inhalation irritants like smoke can also induce the tracheal collapse cough.
Chondroitin and glucosamine supplements are great additives to your dog's diet to support his cartilage. Or, even better, feed beef trachea to support your dog's own trachea. The cartilage in beef trachea is loaded with chondroitin and glucosamine.
Treatment of tracheal collapse is first geared toward medical management with anti-inflammatory steroids, cough suppressants, and sedation as needed. Bronchodilators are commonly used but likely show minimal benefit with solely tracheal disease present.
The trachea is supported by a series of cartilaginous rings that prevent it from collapsing.
The signs of tracheal collapse typically progress over months or years. Some dogs can present with a sudden onset of difficulty breathing and require emergency treatment.