Is your dog in danger of suffering from a collapsed trachea?
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. Tracheal Collapse results when a dog’s airway is obstructed, and there are many things you can do to alleviate the symptoms. Here's what you should know, and what your options are.
What is Tracheal Collapse in Dogs?
Made up of hard rings of cartilage, the trachea (windpipe) carries air from the nose and throat to small airways (bronchi) that go to the lungs. When the rings of cartilage collapse, it causes an airway obstruction—this is what's referred to as a collapsed trachea. Because air only has a narrow passage to squeeze through, the result is a honking cough.
What Causes Collapsed Trachea?
We still don't know why this happens, but researchers believe that weak cartilage of the tracheal rings is to blame. Dogs are usually born with this condition (known as a congenital abnormality); however, tracheal collapse can also be the result of a chronic respiratory disease, Cushing’s Disease, and heart disease.
Breeds Affected by Tracheal Collapse
Toy breeds are most susceptible to tracheal collapse, and it occurs in both males and females equally. These breeds include Pugs, Shih Tzus, Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsos, Pomeranians, and Maltese. Although the onset of tracheal collapse can occur at any age, signs and symptoms frequently appear around the age of six or seven.
Symptoms of Tracheal Collapse
- These are the common symptoms of a collapsed trachea, which can be exacerbated by weight, excitement, heat, and exercise.
- Honking cough
- Rapid breathing and abnormal breathing sounds
- Labored breathing
- Exercise intolerance
- Retching
- Bluish tinge to the gums
Treatment of Tracheal Collapse
Depending on the severity of your dog’s tracheal collapse, there are a few courses of treatment that your veterinarian will be able to go over with you. For mild to moderate cases, your vet will most likely prescribe a treatment of cough suppressants, bronchodilators, antispasmodics, corticosteroid, sedatives, or antibiotics. If obesity is suspected to be the cause of tracheal collapse, weight loss (exercise and change of diet) will be the first course of action to take.To help ease your dog’s symptoms at home, you should use air filters and purifiers to help get rid of environmental pollutants. Are you a smoker? Now's the time to quit—smoking will only add to the problem, and your dog needs all the help he can get. And while walking your dog, use a harness instead of a collar, as they tend to constrict the airway when you apply pressure.Severe cases of tracheal collapse may require surgical intervention. There are various options, but the most common involves attaching prosthetic polypropylene rings to the outside of the trachea. It is a complicated surgery, but the overall success rates are high and encouraging.If you think that your dog suffers from a collapsed trachea, please see your veterinarian immediately. You should never treat your dog with medications without talking to your vet first.
Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic is the Editor of Petguide.com, the flagship site to over 70 different pet communities, which offers pet parents a one-stop-info-shop for all things dog and cat related. Amy's been with PetGuide since the beginning, guided by the wisdom of her Shih Tzu mix and furry roommate, Oscar. Together, this pet power couple has their paw on the pulse of the pet industry, sniffing out trends, advice, news, tasty treat recipes and other tail-wagging stories.
FAQs
In general, a dog with a collapsed trachea can live a normal life span with proper management and treatment. However, it's important to work closely with your veterinarian to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your pet's specific needs and to monitor your pet's condition closely.
What aggravates a collapsed trachea in dogs? ›
Stress, excitement, physical activity, heat and humidity, inhaled irritants (such as smoke) or pressure on the neck can exacerbate coughing.
What are the 4 stages of collapsed trachea in dogs? ›
Grade 2: The tracheal lumen is reduced by approximately 50% and the cartilage is partially flattened. Grade 3: The tracheal lumen is reduced by approximately 75% and the cartilage is nearly completely flat. Grade 4: The tracheal lumen is totally collapsed and the cartilage is flat.
Are dogs with collapsed trachea suffering? ›
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.
How do you comfort a dog with a collapsed trachea? ›
How Is Tracheal Collapse in Dogs Treated?
- Cough suppressants.
- Corticosteroids.
- Sedatives or anxiolytics.
- Cerenia, which is an anti-vomiting medication, is often prescribed and works well for some dogs.
- Bronchodilators.
Treatment of tracheal collapse includes weight loss, cough suppressants, sedatives, and possibly anti-inflammatory steroids. In severe cases, placement of a tracheal stent may be necessary, Stents do not stop coughing, but they do make it easier for the dogs to breathe.
What do you feed a dog with a collapsed trachea? ›
For dogs with limited exercise tolerance and tracheal collapse, a healthy diet goes a long way towards keeping their weight in check and their breathing optimal. One low-fat option is Solid Gold's Fit & Fabulous dry dog food.
Is a reverse sneeze the same as a collapsed trachea? ›
However, with a reverse sneeze, the dog is pulling air in through the nose. And with a collapsed trachea, the cough has a goose-honking sound, and the dog is expelling air out of the mouth.
How much does it cost to fix a collapsed trachea in a dog? ›
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.
Is a humidifier good for dogs with collapsed trachea? ›
Pet owners can administer Oxygen to their pet while they're having a respiratory distress episode, immensely improving their chances of the collapse worsening, causing them to be admitted to a hospital. Additionally, your vet may recommend using a humidifier or nebulizer to help moisten the air and ease breathing.
Exercise has both benefits and potential risks for a dog with a collapsing trachea. It can help with weight management and keeping dogs calm, but it might make matters worse when it's associated with rapid breathing, overexcitement, or exposure to irritants.
Can a dog suffocate from collapsed trachea? ›
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.
Can a dog still eat with a collapsed trachea? ›
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.
What cough medicine is good for dogs with collapsed trachea? ›
Cough suppressants such as Hydrocodone bitartrate, tramadol, or butorphanol, and sometimes, sedatives may be needed daily to minimize irritation from coughing. Maropitant citrate (Cerenia®) has also been used to help decrease inflammation in the airways.
