Tracheal collapse is a condition in dogs that causes the windpipe (trachea) to collapse. It mainly affects small breeds such as Yorkshire terriers, miniature Spitz, poodles, and Pekingese. The condition often manifests itself in the first few months of life, sometimes with severe breathing problems.
The collapse of the windpipe is caused by a softening and spreading of the cartilage rings due to the slackening of the muscles and the tracheal membrane that connect the open cartilage rings at the top. The exact causes of this cartilage weakness are still unknown. In about a quarter of all cases, it is assumed to be a hereditary condition.
If the trachea is only slightly flattened, the condition can often go unnoticed for years until it is discovered by chance on an X-ray or during a routine examination, or until certain factors trigger clinical symptoms. Factors that promote the onset of clinical symptoms include living in a smoking household and obesity, but also pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, heart valve disease, and intubation (insertion of a hollow tube into the windpipe) during surgery.
The hereditary form is already apparent in puppies in the form of a chronic, dry cough that worsens with exertion. In these situations, temporary closure of the windpipe can lead to severe breathing difficulties, cyanosis (blue discoloration of the mucous membranes) and collapse. Excitement, pulling on the leash, or barking can also lead to an increased urge to cough. In severe cases of the disease, wheezing may be heard between coughing fits.
The constant coughing and flattening of the windpipe irritate the sensitive inner lining of the windpipe, causing inflammation and increased mucus production. As a result of damage to the ciliated epithelium lining the trachea, the mucus can no longer be transported away properly, causing the initially dry cough to become moist. As the disease progresses, the animal's general condition deteriorates significantly and its performance declines.
After a thorough general examination, the attending veterinarian will usually be able to make a preliminary diagnosis. A detailed preliminary report from you can also provide valuable information, particularly with regard to the onset, timing, and extent of the symptoms observed. To confirm the diagnosis, X-rays of the neck and chest should always be taken. To obtain a clear image, it is important to ensure that the X-rays are taken during the inhalation phase in the case of cervical collapse and during the exhalation phase in the case of thoracic collapse.
Another way to diagnose tracheal collapse and rule out other possible diseases is to examine the trachea from the inside using a procedure called tracheoscopy or a computerized tomography (CT) scan.
Inflammatory changes in the trachea, tumors, or foreign bodies, all of which can lead to similar symptoms, must be distinguished from tracheal collapse. Changes in neighboring organs can also lead to narrowing of the trachea from the outside and must therefore be ruled out.
Many of the affected dogs respond very well to treatment with medication alone. This conservative therapy includes the administration of cough suppressants, bronchodilators, mucolytics, and sedatives. In the event of secondary infections, antibiotics are also administered. Accompanying non-specific measures that contribute significantly to the success of the treatment can be carried out by the dog owner themselves. These include, in particular, an appropriate diet for overweight dogs, wearing a chest harness instead of a collar, avoiding excessive physical exertion, and refraining from feeding your dog a meat-only diet. You can use the petsXL health passport to clearly store and monitor your dog's weight data. If medication does not work, surgery is unavoidable, as the situation can quickly become life-threatening for the dog.
To date, various surgical methods have been developed, all with the aim of enlarging the diameter of the trachea to make breathing easier for the dog. The two most commonly used procedures currently involve placing a support frame in or around the collapsed trachea. The use of a support structure made of plastic clips placed around the outside of the windpipe is only suitable for narrowings in the neck area. This surgical method requires an incision in the underside of the neck.
The far less invasive method is the use of a stent. This is a round metal mesh that is inserted into the trachea via a tracheoscope. Under X-ray guidance, it is then placed precisely at the weakened site to line and widen the windpipe from the inside. Due to the immediate success of the treatment and the bloodless, significantly shorter procedure, this method is now considered standard in most small animal clinics.
In mild cases and when responding to conservative therapy, the prognosis for tracheal collapse is favorable, even if the disease itself cannot be cured. In severe cases, the prognosis depends largely on the time of diagnosis and early treatment. After successful surgery or stent placement, animals have a good chance of living symptom-free for several years. In order to maintain the success of this treatment for as long as possible, medication and regular monitoring of the prosthesis are always necessary in parallel with surgery.
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