Collapsing trachea usually occurs in middle-aged to older dogs. It can happen in any breed, but typically is seen in smaller dogs. Obesity aggravates and amplifies the condition.
A dog with a collapsing trachea experiences chronic, intermittent bouts of coughing that tend to get worse with exercise, heat/humidity, excitement, stress, eating, drinking, or when pressure is applied to the trachea.
Tracheal collapse is caused when the cartilage rings weaken — flattening them and narrowing the airway. The underlying cause is suspected to be due to multiple unspecified factors, but a genetic component may be involved since small-breed dogs are most commonly affected.
Honey, or honey with lemon juice or MCT oil can be soothing as needed. Give 1 tsp per 20 pounds. In mild cases of tracheal collapse, CBD can help to soothe your dog's cough and keep him from getting too excited.
Your veterinarian will provide specific treatment advice to help your dog's condition. Weight management is important to reduce the severity of symptoms caused by a collapsing trachea. Preventing overexcitement and using a harness rather than a collar is also advised. Avoid exposure to irritants, such as tobacco smoke.
If the trachea is completely blocked, your dog may develop signs of being in severe pain. They may be restless, have difficulty swallowing, rapid breathing, or show signs of general respiratory distress. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
There is no exact life expectancy for dogs with collapsed trachea. It depends on the extent of tracheal collapse, how severely it affects each dog, and how it progresses over time. Tracheal collapse is a manageable condition, and most dogs live a relatively normal life after diagnosis.
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. To avoid placing pressure on your dog's windpipe, trade their regular collar for a no-pull harness.
Strengthen cartilage by feeding bone broth. Supplement with natural sources of glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid to support cartilage. Honey is a great cough suppressant and helps the immune system. A dab of honey given with meals and also when coughing fits occur can be helpful.
Tracheal collapse is typically mild at first and continues to get worse over time, producing coughing, wheezing, gasping for breath, and difficulty eating and drinking. This usually happens gradually and is graded as mild to severe in four stages.
The most common natural remedy for dogs with a kennel cough, or canine tracheobronchitis, is honey. Manuka honey, which is usually imported from New Zealand, is the most preferred type of honey.
Dogs with full tracheal collapse can't bark loudly, and in many cases, will experience respiratory distress, too. But partial tracheal collapse is often much more subtle; your only sign may be wheezing or issues with your dog's bark.
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.
If your dog pulls firmly on the leash, the collar will tighten around its throat, leading to potential trachea collapse or injury.
While collapsed trachea in dogs currently has no cure, you can support your pet by alleviating anxiety and relieving the symptoms caused by inflammation. Thankfully, CBD is an all natural supplement to relieve symptoms of collapsed trachea in dogs!
Clinical Symptoms of Tracheal Collapse
Symptoms can include: 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.
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.
Tracheal collapse is a condition which makes your dog produce sounds like he's trying to hack up a hairball. Dogs who suffer from tracheal collapse let out a honking cough that can scare and confuse you. It can be mistaken for a reverse sneeze, but unlike a sneeze, this condition won't go away on its own.
The most obvious symptom of a collapsed trachea is chronic bouts of coughing that tend to worsen with exercise, excitement, and eating or drinking. 4 Other signs of a collapsed trachea in dogs include: Rapid breathing.
During a respiratory emergency caused by laryngeal paralysis, treatment involves oxygen, cooling the dog down if overheating, intravenous fluids, medications to reduce stress and more. The most common surgery for laryngeal paralysis is called a “tie-back” procedure, which helps open the larynx to improve breathing.
Sometimes older dogs with heart problems tend to have more coughing and gagging at night. They may also tire quickly, have difficulty breathing, or collapse. Dogs with heart disease may need medications to help the heart pump more strongly, correct arrhythmias, or remove fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Avoid heat and humidity
When it is hot outside your dog should be inside if she is one with tracheal collapse. Every veterinarian will tell you when the humidity is up, coughing increases and the oxygen cages in animal ERs are full.
If the cycle of coughing is not broken, the airway can become temporarily obstructed, leading to respiratory distress and even death. Collapsing trachea is usually diagnosed in toy breed dogs and is particularly common in Yorkshire and Maltese terriers, poodles, and Pomeranians.
Tracheal collapse is graded I (mild) through IV (most severe) based on the percentage of the lumen that is obstructed. Although grading is typically performed by using tracheoscopy, this method limits the ability to determine the degree of dynamic collapse.