One minute you’re playing with your dog, having fun, maybe he’s chasing his favorite squeaky toy, and the next he’s coughing violently and struggling to breathe. It’s a scary scenario, for you and your dog. The first time your dog has one of these episodes, it can be pretty overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what’s going on or how to help your furry companion. Your dog may have just experienced tracheal collapse. So, what is a collapsing trachea in dogs?
Collapsing Trachea in Dogs
A collapsing trachea is a chronic progressive respiratory disease that causes coughing and other symptoms in dogs. A dog with this disease will experience bouts of respiratory distress due to their trachea flattening out (collapsing) causing obstruction to airflow, making it very difficult to breathe. Episodes can be violent and last a few minutes, but as a dog mom witnessing this it feels like hours. Although any dog can develop a collapsing trachea, the disease is most often found in Toy breeds. Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos are commonly diagnosed with this disease.
What is a Trachea?
A trachea is part of the respiratory system. Often called the windpipe, the trachea is a semi-rigid tube that connects the throat to the lungs allowing air to flow from mouth to lungs when you breathe. This tracheal tube is made up of rings of tough cartilage, resembling a vacuum hose. These sturdy semi-rigid rings allow the trachea to maintain its shape so that air flows freely to your lungs. In humans, these rings go all the way around the tracheal wall, like an O-shape. In dogs however, the rings only encircle about 5/6th of the trachea, like a C-shape, the other portion is a thin membrane of tissue, and this is part of the problem.
With this disease, the thin tracheal membrane stretches and begins to sag, and the rings lose their strength and rigidity reducing their ability to maintain normal tracheal shape during inspiration (breathing in). When this happens, your dog’s trachea flattens causing impairment to airflow. Over time, their ability to breathe normally will worsen as tracheal support deteriorates. Think of a garden hose with water flowing through it. If you were to collapse the hose by stepping on it, the water would only trickle out. Same with a trachea, when it is collapsed, only a tiny bit of air gets through.
Signs and Symptoms of a Collapsing Trachea
A collapsing trachea is a progressive disease meaning signs and symptoms will worsen over time. You will usually start to notice signs in middle-aged or older dogs, usually around 6-7 years old, but some dogs may experience signs and symptoms earlier.
Coughing – Dogs experiencing tracheal collapse frequently have a dry, harsh “honking” cough, like a goose honking. This cough tends to worsen with vigorous exercise, after eating or drinking, and when your pet gets too excited. This coughing can also occur when your dog is picked up or when pressure is applied to their throat area, like with a collar.
Noisy or abnormal breathing – If your pet is struggling to breathe or has rapid breathing, this is a medical emergency, take your pet to the vet right away. Difficulty breathing can quickly become a life-threatening emergency.
Low energy
Fainting – This is a medical emergency. Take your pet to the vet immediately.
Exercise intolerance
Bluish tint to gums – This is a medical emergency. Take your pet to the vet immediately.
Vomiting, gagging, or retching from severe coughing
Causes of a Collapsing Trachea
The cause is mostly unknown, but many think it’s a combination of several risk factors.
Congenital – Toy breeds and other dogs who develop a collapsing trachea may be born with weaker tracheal cartilage.
Nutritional – Obese dogs are at higher risk for developing a collapsing trachea
Chronic respiratory diseases
Cushing’s Disease
Heart Disease
Allergic triggers – chronic exposure to dust and secondhand cigarette smoke are thought to be contributing factors to a collapsing trachea.
Chronic pressure to throat area from collar – Collars can irritate the throat area causing trauma to the trachea and should be used with caution.
Weather – Hot and humid weather does not cause tracheal collapse but can worsen symptoms of the disease.
Overexcitement – My mom’s Chihuahua, Cassie, gets super excited when I visit, probably because I’m her favorite aunt ;). She jumps around and starts “honk” coughing. What helps is spending a couple of minutes just petting her quietly and she calms down enough to breathe normally.
Diagnosis of a Collapsing Trachea
Your vet will diagnose a collapsing trachea by performing several tests. A collapsing trachea is then graded using a scale from I (mild) to IV (almost total collapse, severe).
Bronchoscopy – The most accurate way to diagnose a collapsing trachea. An exam under anesthesia is performed by your vet. While your dog is asleep, your vet can look at your dog’s trachea with a long thin scope checking for deterioration.
Chest x-ray – tracheal collapse may not show in an x-ray, so your vet may perform fluoroscopy instead.
Fluoroscopy – longer x-ray done while your dog is breathing.
Complete physical – Coughing and respiratory distress can be caused by several conditions. A complete physical exam will help your vet get a better idea of what’s going on with your pet.
Labs – Your vet may also check your pet’s bloodwork for comorbidities or worsening symptoms.
Treatment of a Collapsing Trachea
Unfortunately, your dog will continue to worsen over time despite treatment. But your dog could live a long happy life depending on how well they respond to therapy. The method of treatment will depend on the severity of collapse. For milder symptoms there are several conservative methods your vet may prescribe, such as medications. While medications do not cure a collapsing trachea, they do help manage symptoms with up to 70% of dogs being medically managed successfully.
Weight loss – obesity makes it more difficult for your dog to breathe contributing to a chronic cough.
Anti-inflammatory – Your vet may prescribe a corticosteroid which will reduce the inflammation in your dog’s windpipe.
Cough suppressant – a suppressant will soothe irritation and reduce inflammation from coughing.
Bronchodilator – these meds open up the airways in the lungs allowing better airflow and increased oxygen flow.
Antibiotics – Dogs experiencing tracheal collapse are at increased risk for respiratory infection. If your vet suspects an infection, they may prescribe a round of antibiotics.
Surgery – Surgery is usually reserved for severe disease (Grade III or IV). For instance, if your dog is having difficulty breathing despite conservative measures or the disease is causing significant loss of quality of life. The goal of surgery is to permanently support the tracheal cartilage by either stenting the inside of the trachea or placing a C-shaped ring prothesis around the outside of the trachea. It is a risky surgery, but often gives your dog a much better quality of life. 75% of dogs saw improvement after ring surgery, and 95% saw improvement after stenting. Surgery should be performed by a board-certified specialist experienced in tracheal collapse procedures.
Home Management of a Collapsing Trachea
There are many things you can do at home to improve your dog’s life in combination with regular vet check-ups.
Use a harness instead of a collar
Avoid smoking or using aerosols around your pet
Change air filters regularly and use HEPA filters
Maintain a well ventilated, dust free environment
Help your dog maintain a healthy weight
Take long slow walks instead of extreme exercises like running or chasing a ball
Conclusion
While there is no cure for a collapsing trachea, management of symptoms can greatly improve your dog’s quality of life. Medical management by your vet and home management by you will help your dog live and longer happier life.
Disclaimer – I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I am just a dog mom who’s five Toys have suffered from multiple ailments and diseases, including collapsing trachea. Always consult your vet for how best to take care of your fur babies.