What is Collapsed Trachea in Dogs?
Collapsed Trachea in dogs is an illness that needs to be closely observed and dealt with in order to offer your furry friend as many healthful years as possible.
Tracheal collapse in dogs is a progressive respiratory condition that occurs when the tracheal rings of a dog's cartilage collapse. It can lead to breathing problems and a severe dry cough as the windpipe collapses.
Here’s all you need to know about collapsed trachea in dogs – how to prevent your pupfrom collapsed trachea, the early signs or of collapsed trachea that you should look out for, and what to do if you see symptoms of collapsed trachea in dogs.
Symptoms of Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
Collapsed Trachea can cause noticeable changes in your dog’s wellbeing and behaviour. There are several early signs and symptoms of collapsed trachea which you can observe in your pet. We have listed some of the common collapsed trachea symptoms in dogs, below.
- Difficulty Breathing
- Rapid Breathing
- Abnromal Breathing Sounds
- Decreased Energy
- Fainting
Please Note: The information presented on this article is designed to help inform you of collapsed trachea. It is not meant to replace the veterinary diagnosis or treatment for collapsed trachea. If you have any concerns or questions about your pet dog’s health or possible symptoms, be sure to contact and consult with your vet as soon as you can.
The Main Causes of Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
To recognize and treat collapsed trachea in dogs, we need to understand the underlying causes of collapsed trachea in dogs. This can help a pet owner prevent collapsed trachea happening in the first place or again.
Most of the time the cause of tracheal collapse in dogs is unknown. Although, it could be a congenital disorder where your dog was born with it.
Diagnosing Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
No one understands your pet better than you do and hence it is important that your pet be checked thoroughly by a veterinarian at least once a year.
To diagnose a collapsed trechea, your vet will go through your dog's health history and run a physical examination to determine what treatment will be best. Your vet may also perform some tests before making an official diagnosis, this includes:
- Chest X-ray
- Fluoroscopy
- Tracheoscopy or bronchoscopy
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Heartworm tests
Chat to your veterinarian to learn more about the treatments for collapsed trachea in dogs.
Preventing Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
It is awful when your canine gets ill, and seeing them hurt can be extremely heartbreaking. With caution and a bit of extra care, a dog owner can make sure that dog stays protected from illnesses like collapsed trachea.
To not to look weak or vulnerable to predators, the innate survival impulses make dogs hide diseases. This means thorough physical exams by a qualified veterinarian are crucial to keep your animals healthy. Generally, blood and urine tests performed by your veterinarian are required to get the total picture of your pet’s health. These preventive checks actions will diagnose any health issue sooner making treatment more effective and less pricey and, more notably, will help your dog live a longer, much healthier life.
The best way to prevent collapsed trachea in dogs is to keep them away from smoke and other pollutants which will help reduce and prevent breathing problems.
Treatment for Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
Most dogs with a collapsed trachea can be treated through medications and preventative care, like weight loss, avoiding airway irritants, and wearing a harness on walks. Once your local vet makes a diagnosis, they may prescribe the following medication to reduce coughing and inflammation:
- Antibiotics
- Steroids
- Sedatives
- Bronchodilators
- Cough suppressants
Contact your veterinarian to find out more about how to treat collapsed trachea in dogs.