If your dog has a tracheal collapse, it can be very difficult to know how to handle this situation. Using my 25 years of specialized experience as an at home pet euthanasia Tucson based veterinarian, in this blog I am going to give you organized, easy to refer to sections. These sections are as follows:
- Overview
- What is tracheal collapse in dogs?
- Clinical signs of tracheal collapse in dogs
- Diagnosis of tracheal collapse in dogs
- Treatment of tracheal collapse in dogs
- Assessing quality of life in your dog with tracheal collapse
- Making it special if you need to euthanize your dog
- At home or clinic euthanasia
- How to find the best in home euthanasia veterinarian
Overview
Tracheal collapse in dogs is a progressive disease involving the trachea. The trachea is known as the “windpipe” that connects the mouth to the lungs in your dog. When this trachea is open, it facilitates the passage of air to and from the lungs.
Canine tracheal collapse is a condition that is more common in middle age to older dogs. This condition is more common in small breed dogs such as Pomeranians, Toy Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers. There is no cure for this condition, but it can be medically managed to maintain the quality of life for your dog. The most pronounced symptom of tracheal collapse is chronic coughing.
What is tracheal collapse in dogs?
The trachea is a flexible tube that is supported by a network of C-shaped inner rings composed of cartilage. These C-shaped rings wrap around the windpipe and are located all along the windpipe tube. Together these rings strengthen the structure of the tracheal tube. Cartilage is a strong, flexible connective tissue that protects your joints and bones.
Tracheal collapse in dogs occurs when these supportive rings of cartilage weaken. This causes a narrowing of the airway passage. The collapse can occur among one, or more, of the C-shaped rings. This collapse can also extend into the lower airway of the lungs.
Clinical signs of tracheal collapse in dogs
The most common clinical sign of tracheal collapse in dogs is a persistent, harsh and dry cough. This cough is sometimes described as a “goose honking” cough because that’s what it sounds like. Other clinical signs include the following:
- wheezing with inward breathing
- cyanosis, which is where the gums or tongue turn blue due to lack of oxygen
- fainting
Diagnosis of tracheal collapse in dogs
One of the primary ways tracheal collapse in dogs is diagnosed is when the veterinarian does a physical exam. Specifically, the veterinarian will gently push on the tracheal tube. When the veterinarian does this, a cough will be easily elicited if the dog has tracheal collapse. The veterinarian will confirm a preliminary diagnosis of tracheal collapse by using one or more of the following diagnostic tests: x-rays, fluoroscopy, and bronchoscopy.
Treatment of tracheal collapse in dogs
Many dogs respond well to medical management of canine tracheal collapse. Medications used to treat tracheal collapse include the following: cough suppressants, corticosteroids, sedatives, and bronchodilators. If your dog is having a respiratory emergency, they will need to be taken to an emergency clinic to receive supplemental oxygen treatment.
A surgical procedure for tracheal collapse in dogs may be considered if the aforementioned medical management fails. This procedure involves placing a stent inside the trachea to prevent its collapse. The success rate of this procedure depends on numerous factors which the veterinary surgeon will assess and educate you about. What you have to remember is, surgery is expensive and does not always work. So, you should not feel guilty if you decide that surgery is not a good option given your situation. We do what we can do.
When to euthanize a dog with tracheal collapse
The following tracheal collapse signs in your dog can indicate that it is time to consider euthanizing your beloved dog:
- persistent and severe coughing fits that don’t improve with medication
- heavy and labored breathing even at rest or during sleep
- collapse or fainting episodes due to lack of oxygen
- no improvement with bronchodilators, cough suppressants, or corticosteroids
- inability to eat, drink, or sleep comfortably
- constant anxiety or restlessness due to breathing difficulty
- withdrawal from family interaction
Assessing quality of life in your dog
It is incredibly difficult to even think about euthanizing your dog. Our dogs are our best friends and constant companions. Unfortunately, many dogs with tracheal collapse will continue to experience worsening symptoms. This can come to a point where their quality of life is so poor you must think about humane euthanization. Please feel free to click here to utilize my veterinary quality-of-life checklist. This ensures you can methodically assess the key factors affecting your dog’s day-to-day quality of life.
Making it Special if you need to euthanize your dog
If you come to the decision that you need to humanely euthanize your dog, you can click here to go to the Making it Special section of my website. In this section, I discuss all the different ways you can customize the experience that you and your dog go through together so that this sacred time is as special as possible. It is critical that you feel you honor the profound relationship that you and your dog have.
At home or clinic euthanasia?
If you do decide that humane euthanasia is the way to go, you now have to decide if you want to have this done at a clinic or in the privacy and comfort of your home. More and more often people are deciding to have their pet euthanized in the comfort of their own home. This allows you and your pet to have the highest level of comfort because it is the place you are most comfortable and secure. If you do decide you want an in home pet euthanasia, please read this section of my website to understand a key factor that has changed the pricing for at home pet euthanasia.
How to find the best in home euthanasia veterinarian
I know that as an at home pet euthanasia veterinarian for dogs and cats, finding a great veterinarian can be difficult. If you are unsure how to go about finding the best at-home euthanasia veterinarian, I have a website section where I clarify 7 questions you can ask any in-home veterinarian you are considering using.
If you must consider euthanizing your dog, my heart goes out to you. I’ve had to euthanize many of my own animals and it is heartbreaking. But, by using my quality of life checklist, and by honoring the life of your dog by making the euthanasia special, you can rest assured you are doing your best to honor the relationship with your dog.