Tracheal Collapse (Dog’s Cough/Asthma)

There are several cases of cough in dogs with quite often frequencies and it looks like they will spew something. This type of dog’s cough is usually because of what is called tracheal collapse. Tracheal serves the airway to the lungs. Tracheal rings composed of cartilage and covered with soft muscle tissues (fibrous tissues).Tracheal Collapse is characterized by narrowing of the airway aperture because of the weakness of the tracheal. This condition is what causes the dog to cough. Tracheal collapse often occurs in small breeds of dogs such as Shih Tzu, Maltese, Pug Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, and Yorkshire Terrier. Sometimes, it could also occur in a fat dog aged 6 to 7 years upwards.

Tracheal Collapse can be caused by two factors: congenital tracheal collapse and disease. Congenital tracheal collapse can be caused by deficiencies on glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins, calcium, and chondroitin. While disease factors may be caused by Cushing’s syndrome, heart disease, and respiratory infections.

The symptoms of tracheal collapse include frequent cough/asthma, panting and audible breath sounds, mouth open and tongue stretched out more often, restless and pacing back and forth. These symptoms can be aggravated in hot weather, excitement, obesity, and anesthetic drugs influence. Thus, dogs suffered tracheal collapse is prohibited to use additional anesthetic drugs because it is too risky.

Tracheal collapse can be detected by X-rays Radiograph and fluoroscopy. Blood checks has to be done to detect whether there is a respiratory infection or not.
Ways to handle tracheal Collapse are:

1. Use sedative drugs such as Acepromazine or Diazepam to overcome the Asphyxiate
2. To supply oxygen to the lungs, pair oxygen into the nose when the dog seemed calmer
3. Do regularly newbulizer (steam) until the dogs have a stable breathing.
4. Such drugs that can be use to overcome inflammation is Prednisone. While Aminophylline/Theophylline can be used for broncodilatator.  Cephalosporin and Doxycycline can be used for antibiotics to overcome the bacterial infection in the respiratory.

Beware of the possibilities of factors trigger to the repeated occurrence of tracheal collapse such as excessive activities, excitement, and fatness.   Avoid too hot the environment to reduce the trigger factor. When there are indications of tracheal rings paralysis, it should be considered for surgery. It is a risky action so that you have to discuss with your veterinarian first before surgical decision applied.