Q&A for How to Diagnose a Collapsing Trachea in Chihuahuas

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What prevents the collapse of the trachea?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    A normal trachea doesn't collapsed because of two things: the stiffness of the cartilage rings that make up most of the circumference of the trachea, and the firm support given by ligaments that bridge the gap. Only when either the cartilage rings are too soft, or the ligaments stretch, does the trachea collapse.
  • Question
    Is a collapsed trachea painful for dogs?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    A collapsing trachea is not painful, but if the narrowing is severe, it can be distressing. It becomes hard to breathe so the dog may struggle for breath, which is obviously alarming for the dog.
  • Question
    How do you tell if your dog has a collapsed trachea?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    An owner can get a clue from the way the dog breathes, which tends to be very noisy. But this can be mimicked by other conditions, and the only way to be certain is for a vet to take some radiographs of the neck area.
  • Question
    Can a dog die from tracheal collapse?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Tracheal collapse, as the name suggests, means the windpipe collapses on itself. For most dogs, this means they get short of breath if they exercise and over-exert themselves. Only the most severe cases are in danger of asphyxiation because the windpipe is so flattened that they can't breathe at all.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article