Tag Archives: collapsing trachea

Collapsing Trachea in small dogs – how to cope

Does your dog honk like a goose when you go for a walk? Do you avoid playing with your dog so he/she doesn’t start coughing? Does the hacking start as soon as your dog gets excited Is he/she overweight? Is your dog a toy breed? Your dog may be suffering with Collapsing Trachea.

Collapsing Trachea isn’t your fault, and, in most cases, can be managed without surgery and with an excellent long-term prognosis. According to Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, the majority of dogs with the condition do just fine with “medical” management.

So what is Collapsing Trachea and how do dogs “get” it? VetStreet says it happens when “the trachea’s normally firm cartilage rings of support are softer and less supportive than they should be. In these cases, inhaling air during the normal act of breathing can cause the trachea to collapse on itself (much like a flimsy straw would with a thick milkshake), which typically elicits a hacking cough.”

Don’t blame yourself – you didn’t cause Collapsing Trachea!

And don’t blame yourself – Collapsing Trachea is an inherited condition. We haven’t done anything to cause it. And there’s quite a few things we can do to keep it under control.

The most important thing is to stop the cycle of throat irritation and inflammation. Veterinarians often prescribe cough suppressants, bronchodilators, and even steroids to get the flare-up under control. But there are things you can do help your dog breathe better right at home.

Use a harness

Don’t use a collar. Find a harness that fits your dog right. There’s no single harness that suits every dog, person, or situation. That’s why we carry so many different styles in a variety of sizes, materials, and colors. There’s one that will be perfect for you and your dog. If you need some Use harnesses to minimize Collapsing Trachea symptomshelp, you can use our Do It Yourself Online Harness Selector, or ask for personalized help from our expert staff. We’d love it if everyone could bring their dogs into the shop for a custom fitting – but we’ll make sure you and your dog are happy before we consider any order complete.

Watch their weight!

Next is to make sure your dog is the proper weight. According to Veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds, “Additional pounds or ounces cause respiratory distress because hauling weight around requires a higher level of exertion.” This may be even harder, says Dr. Dodds, if the dog is on medication for the condition, “Many pet parents may struggle with this point if their companion dogs require exercise restriction or are taking corticosteroids prescribed to dampen the inflammation as they often cause weight gain. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Other ways to help

You can also help your dog by minimizing anxiety as much as possible. If your dog tends to be “high strung” and easily excitable, you might consider supplementing with CBD treats or oil. CBD is the non-psychoactive, healing compound derived from hemp.

Other ways to ease the symptoms of Collapsing Trachea include: adding some moisture to dry food to minimize irritation, and using some natural supplementation of glucosamine and chondroitin to reduce deterioration of the cartilage. In fact, Beef Trachea chew treats are a good source of these nutrients.

Who’s at risk?

There are specific breeds that are most prone to problems with Collapsing Trachea, including: Chihuahua, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terriers. Those vulnerable would also include any mixed-breeds that include these.

While Collapsing Trachea is a serious concern, there are many ways to help your dog breathe easier.