Tracheal Collapse
Trachea is a tube or system of tubes that carries air. The trachea serves as passage for air, moistens and warms it while it passes into the lungs, and protects the respiratory surface from an accumulation of foreign particles.
Tracheal Collapse is a narrowing of the trachea (windpipe) due to a loss in rigidity in some small dog breeds, such as Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Chihuahuas and other toy and miniature dog breeds. Evidence show that tracheal collapse is caused by many factors including breed genetic predisposition, nutritional factors, neurological abnormalities, and tracheal cartilage degeneration.
Signs of Tracheal Collapse
Some dogs will have chronic "goose-honk" cough, noisy breathing and gagging, wheezing, hacking, and exercise intolerance. In severe cases there may be a bluish discoloration to the gums and skin because of a lack of oxygen, and the dog may faint. These signs are more severe in obese animals. Other animals may have no cough at all. The disease is diagnosed by using radiographs and other methods. Response to medical therapy is usually temporary and the disease typically progresses.
Treatment of Tracheal Collapse
Treatment usually includes reducing coughing and chronic airway injury, keeping the dog away from irritants, such as cigarette smoke, exposure to extreme cold, heat or humidity, using a harness instead of a collar, reducing food intake (if the dog is overweight), and vaccinations to prevent tracheal inflammations. In severe cases emergency surgery is performed and prostheses are applied. Surgery relieves many of the signs of tracheal obstruction but does not cure the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment usually give the dog a better quality life. Following surgery, most dogs are more active, breathe easier, cough less, and require less medical treatment for respiratory disease.
Comments
This is an update on diagnostic methods used for tracheal collapse. Recent data show that using only conventional radiography can lead to accurate diagnosis in approximately 60% of dogs with severe tracheal collapse. So radiographs only can result in false diagnoses due to inadequate positioning, poor radiographic technique or the superimposition of the esophagus or the cervical muscles. Fluoroscopic and tracheoscopy are considered to be the most sensitive methods for diagnosing tracheal collapse, but these techniques are not widely available in standard veterinary practice.An ultrasonographic examination has been used to diagnose tracheal collapse by identifying the simple changes in the shape of the tracheal margin so as to characterize the lesion at the time of collapse. Ultrasonography doesn't expose the animal to radiation, and it can be performed with minimal or no sedation. (Source: Ultrasonographic evaluation of tracheal collapse in dogs. Kidong Eom et al.)
Posted by Guest_3444 on Thursday, November 10, 2011
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