Dog Tracheal Collapse — Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Tracheal collapse in a dog is a common respiratory condition that typically affects smaller breeds. It can significantly impact your pup’s quality of life, so it’s crucial to notice it early on and begin with proper care and continuous monitoring. 

The Maven Pet smart collar can be just the help you’ve been looking for. It tracks your dog’s Rest Respiratory Rate, allowing you to detect and manage problematic breathing patterns more easily. 

We’ll explain how that works in this guide, but we first must cover the condition. Read on to learn the definition, causes, symptoms, stages, life expectancy, and treatment options for dog tracheal collapse. 

What Is Tracheal Collapse in Dogs?

We’ve mentioned that it’s a common respiratory condition that mainly hurts small dog breeds, but what is tracheal collapse in dogs? To explain, we first need to quickly cover the trachea and rings of cartilage:

• The trachea (windpipe) is the flexible tube that connects the throat to the lungs. 
• Rings of cartilage are small yet sturdy c-shaped rings that cover the wall of the trachea and keep its shape intact.

Tracheal collapse occurs when the tracheal rings weaken or collapse completely. It’s a progressive respiratory condition that will cause your pup to have breathing problems, often resulting in a dry cough that sounds very harsh. This distinctive dog tracheal collapse sound can be compared to the honking of a goose, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to notice.

The condition primarily affects small breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Toy Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Pomeranians. You can learn more about it and other common dog respiratory conditions on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) official website.

What Causes Tracheal Collapse in Dogs?

Unfortunately, the cause of tracheal collapse in a dog is usually unclear. However, there are still several factors that are known to contribute to tracheal collapse, and these are:

• Genetic predisposition — Your doggy might have been born with this condition, and the trachea might not have enough cartilage rings to keep it intact, which can easily lead to a collapsed trachea. 
• Obesity — Overweight dogs have a higher risk of tracheal collapse because there’s added pressure on their windpipe. 
• Trauma — Any significant injury to the neck region can also damage the dog’s trachea. 
• Chronic respiratory infection — Bronchitis, pneumonia, dental disease, and other long-term respiratory infections can weaken the tracheal cartilage. 
• Environmental irritants — Things like smoke, dust, and even fresheners can contribute to the development of the condition. 

Symptoms and Stages of Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

Besides the dry cough that resembles a goose honking, which is the most distinctive symptom of this condition and one that shouldn’t be dismissed, there are several other symptoms of dog tracheal collapse:

• Difficulty breathing, most notably during exercise
• Wheezing
• Increased respiratory rate
• Coughing when pressure is applied to the neck
• Gagging, retching, or vomiting
• The dog’s gums turn blue (severe cases)

The condition is also classified into four stages to distinguish between milder and more severe cases:

• Grade 1 — The cells of the tracheal lumen, which supports the dog’s trachea, are reduced by 25%. The cartilage still has a normal shape. 
• Grade 2 — The lumen is reduced by 50%. The cartilage is partly flattened. 
• Grade 3 — The lumen is reduced by 75%. The cartilage is almost fully flattened. 
• Grade 4 — The lumen is completely collapsed. The cartilage is flat. 

How Long Can a Dog Live With Tracheal Collapse?

The life expectancy of a dog with tracheal collapse depends entirely on the severity of this condition, the overall care and how well the treatment is followed. 

This also means that there isn’t a set timeframe a vet can give you. However, as long as you treat the condition and provide your pup with proper care, they are bound to live a long, happy, and comfortable life. 

In other cases, the dog can suffer from a respiratory emergency, which tends to shorten their lifespan. 

Tracheal collapse is a progressive disease, meaning the dog needs to be monitored continuously and receive proper care whenever necessary. 

How to Treat Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

Vets have several treatment options for tracheal collapse, and you can discuss what needs to be done with your vet. Here are the standard treatments:

• Medication for managing inflammation and coughing (milder cases)
• Weight management plans if the dog is obese
• Surgery like tracheal stenting (only in severe cases)

Besides that, there are also dog tracheal collapse home treatment plans. Here’s what you can do:

• Use a harness instead of a collar, as this will reduce the unnecessary and dangerous pressure on the pup’s trachea.
• Keep your dog away from smoke and dust-filled environments. 
• Monitor the puppy’s Rest Respiratory Rate to detect worsening symptoms early on. You can use the Maven Pet wellness tool. 

How to Carry a Dog With Tracheal Collapse

Carrying a dog with tracheal collapse can be somewhat dangerous as it can lead to putting unnecessary pressure on their trachea. Since you’ll still have to occasionally carry your pup, here are a few practical tips on how to do it without causing damage:

• Don’t lift them by the scruff or their collar. 
• Don’t let the dog pull against the collar. Since this can happen during walks, it’s best to use a harness.
• Scoop your dog up gently by supporting the chest with one hand and the hindquarters with the other. 

Also, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t pick up your dog if they’re having a coughing fit or are struggling to breathe. Try to keep the pooch calm, and call your vet if you need more help. 

How Maven Pet Helps Manage Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

We at Maven Pet have developed a smart dog collar that can help canine tutors monitor their pups’ vitals and catch various health issues early on, thanks to the plethora of data the device can constantly track. 

Some of the main features the device offers are:

• Tracks the Rest Respiratory Rate and detects breathing difficulties early on. 
• Monitors the pup’s activity level to identify any changes in energy levels and detect discomfort.
• Allows you to journal symptoms with the help of our app, including coughing and wheezing, which can be beneficial data for the vet. 

Bottom Line

Tracheal collapse in a dog is a serious condition, one that’s bound to take a turn for the worse if not appropriately managed. Understanding it correctly and giving your puppy the care it deserves is essential. 

We hope that the explanations and instructions from this blog will prove enough to put you on the right track. 

You should also consider using the Maven Pet smart collar to stay proactive. It will help you track your pup’s respiratory health and alert you of any changes that might indicate a health problem like tracheal collapse.

---

---

Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.