collapsed tracheal

csrichie · 07-24-2005, 08:43 PM

My 7 years old chihuahua might be suffering from a collapsed tracheal.
we had her checked by the vet and it doesnt seem that serious although her breathing is still a little fast.

I was wondering if there is any way that she be able to heal, either naturally or using medicine. She is about 8 now i am not sure if its good for her to go though a surgery unless its very serious.

She is still very active and shown no other symptoms other than rapid breathing, and the only time i can hear her inhaling is after she barks violenty at other dogs.

thanks

calgal · 07-25-2005, 12:06 AM

Were you using a collar to walk her? There isn't anything that can be done after it's collapsed. Just use a harness.

Peanuts · 07-25-2005, 12:07 AM

Now I wouldn't count myself as a reliable resource and I would defintely check with someone who is experienced with this beforehand, but a lady I was talking to had a dog with a collapsed trachea I believe, and waht she did was 'rub' the dogs throat and supposively that helped ?

linnie · 07-25-2005, 12:28 AM

I have a chihuahua with a collapsed trachea and there is no operation that has proven successful yet.

Medication is the way to go and here in australia we use a human one called lofenoxal. Do not put ANY pressure on her throat as this will agrivate the condition. If she has an attack pick her up and gently rub her chest not her throat, this is to calm her down to relieve the spasm.
having said that the only true way to diagnose this condition is with a moving xray. Perhaps as this only happened when she is very excited it could be the flap at the back of her throat and this can be operated on.

If I can be of any help please pm me.
Hope it is only the flap and not the trachea, my girl has been on meds for 2 years.

Leon · 07-25-2005, 09:10 AM

What are the causes and symptoms of this condition?

Are collars dangerous? My dog gets dragged by his flea collar when playing with bigger dogs.

calgal · 07-25-2005, 09:19 AM

This condition is mostly seen in the very small breeds and it's generally due to too much stress on the neck from pulling and jerking up on a collar by the lead. Even some trainers ask that you put a choke-chain on the dog for training and they use the choke-up approach. This should NEVER be done on a small dog.
If dogs are useing the flea collar to drag the little one around by, then please that that off of him. That will only make things worse.

csrichie · 07-25-2005, 09:53 AM

we now use harness whenever we walk her, doctor had suggested anitibiotics to clam her cough. However i was wondering is harness still causing a bit of stress on her throat? should we use nothing at all when we walk her in the park when no body is around?

linnie · 07-26-2005, 02:08 AM

The harness should be fine as long as you have it adjusted properly

Collapsing trachea is also hereditory

Leon one way to tell if it is trachea problems is to gently palpate the trachea under the chin, a dog with a trachea problem will cough from the aggrevation.

Also they can have coughing attacks after drinking water and even when resting.
But the best way to tell is by a moving xray

Collars on little dogs are a problem as they can cause the problem to worsen.
Rather than a flea collar how about a once a month spot on like advantage

Leon · 07-26-2005, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the advice.

Palpitating his throat didn't make him cough fortunately. But as I don't want any damage happening to his trachea or vertebra, I'll be taking the flea collar off when he's playing with other dogs (they'll still be biting his neck though).

Oh and the collar is mostly for mosquitos/sand flies. The only spot-on against them is K-9 Advantix which unfortunately makes him ill and itchy.

linnie · 08-01-2005, 09:45 PM

Poor little thing being allergic to mosquitoes. Good idea to remove the collar when he is playing.

So sounds like your baby has a loose flap that causes him to cough maybe

ontheweb · 08-28-2005, 07:41 PM

My chihuahua was diagnosed with a collapsing trachea several months ago and the vet said she got it from barking too much. Medication didn't work and it's very bad now. To help slow its progress here are some things you can do:

Keep your dog quiet
don't let her get excited
limit her exercise
if she's overwieght put her on a diet
don't let your dog stay out in the sun too long, panting aggrevates the condition
and never put a collar on, that was the mistake I made. I can't help but think that if only my pooch wore a harness it wouldn't have progressed as far as it has.

07-24-2005, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
csrichie Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Rep Power: 65	collapsed tracheal My 7 years old chihuahua might be suffering from a collapsed tracheal. we had her checked by the vet and it doesnt seem that serious although her breathing is still a little fast. I was wondering if there is any way that she be able to heal, either naturally or using medicine. She is about 8 now i am not sure if its good for her to go though a surgery unless its very serious. She is still very active and shown no other symptoms other than rapid breathing, and the only time i can hear her inhaling is after she barks violenty at other dogs. thanks
csrichie Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Rep Power: 65

07-25-2005, 12:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 172	I have a chihuahua with a collapsed trachea and there is no operation that has proven successful yet. Medication is the way to go and here in australia we use a human one called lofenoxal. Do not put ANY pressure on her throat as this will agrivate the condition. If she has an attack pick her up and gently rub her chest not her throat, this is to calm her down to relieve the spasm. having said that the only true way to diagnose this condition is with a moving xray. Perhaps as this only happened when she is very excited it could be the flap at the back of her throat and this can be operated on. If I can be of any help please pm me. Hope it is only the flap and not the trachea, my girl has been on meds for 2 years.
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

07-25-2005, 09:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
Leon Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 175 Rep Power: 70	What are the causes and symptoms of this condition? Are collars dangerous? My dog gets dragged by his flea collar when playing with bigger dogs.
Leon Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 175 Rep Power: 70

07-25-2005, 09:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
csrichie Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Rep Power: 65	we now use harness whenever we walk her, doctor had suggested anitibiotics to clam her cough. However i was wondering is harness still causing a bit of stress on her throat? should we use nothing at all when we walk her in the park when no body is around?
csrichie Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Rep Power: 65

07-26-2005, 02:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 172	The harness should be fine as long as you have it adjusted properly Collapsing trachea is also hereditory Leon one way to tell if it is trachea problems is to gently palpate the trachea under the chin, a dog with a trachea problem will cough from the aggrevation. Also they can have coughing attacks after drinking water and even when resting. But the best way to tell is by a moving xray Collars on little dogs are a problem as they can cause the problem to worsen. Rather than a flea collar how about a once a month spot on like advantage
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

07-25-2005, 12:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,807 Rep Power: 232	Were you using a collar to walk her? There isn't anything that can be done after it's collapsed. Just use a harness.

07-25-2005, 12:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
Peanuts Mini Schnauzer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western Canada Posts: 72 Rep Power: 0	Now I wouldn't count myself as a reliable resource and I would defintely check with someone who is experienced with this beforehand, but a lady I was talking to had a dog with a collapsed trachea I believe, and waht she did was 'rub' the dogs throat and supposively that helped ?

07-25-2005, 09:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,807 Rep Power: 232	This condition is mostly seen in the very small breeds and it's generally due to too much stress on the neck from pulling and jerking up on a collar by the lead. Even some trainers ask that you put a choke-chain on the dog for training and they use the choke-up approach. This should NEVER be done on a small dog. If dogs are useing the flea collar to drag the little one around by, then please that that off of him. That will only make things worse.

07-26-2005, 11:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
Leon Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 175 Rep Power: 70	Thanks for the advice. Palpitating his throat didn't make him cough fortunately. But as I don't want any damage happening to his trachea or vertebra, I'll be taking the flea collar off when he's playing with other dogs (they'll still be biting his neck though). Oh and the collar is mostly for mosquitos/sand flies. The only spot-on against them is K-9 Advantix which unfortunately makes him ill and itchy.
Leon Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 175 Rep Power: 70

08-01-2005, 09:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 172	Poor little thing being allergic to mosquitoes. Good idea to remove the collar when he is playing. So sounds like your baby has a loose flap that causes him to cough maybe
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

08-28-2005, 07:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
ontheweb Chihuahua Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 80	My chihuahua was diagnosed with a collapsing trachea several months ago and the vet said she got it from barking too much. Medication didn't work and it's very bad now. To help slow its progress here are some things you can do: Keep your dog quiet don't let her get excited limit her exercise if she's overwieght put her on a diet don't let your dog stay out in the sun too long, panting aggrevates the condition and never put a collar on, that was the mistake I made. I can't help but think that if only my pooch wore a harness it wouldn't have progressed as far as it has.

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