When you’re the proud parent of a dog, your life can be filled with many joys. From the time you bring your puppy, you could constantly be dedicated towards their well-being so they can be your lifelong companions.

However, even when you take good care of your dog, they could begin to suffer from various ailments due to lifestyle or age. It isn’t uncommon to find a dog collapsed trachea in this day and age. Collapsed trachea has become an increasingly common respiratory problem for canines in recent times.

Fortunately, however, there are ways to treat this and help your furry friend recover.

What Is A Collapsed Trachea?

A trachea is an organ that humans and dogs have and gets air in and out of the lungs. When your dog has a collapsed trachea, it generally means that the tracheal rings (made from cartilage) have collapsed.

Various reasons can contribute to a tracheal collapse in your dog, and while the exact causes are unknown, it can be congenital. When your dog suffers from a tracheal collapse, some symptoms can make you aware of the same.

Symptoms of Tracheal Collapse In Dogs

When your dog begins to suffer from tracheal collapse, these are some of the symptoms they will start to display:

• Honking sound: When air is being forcibly pushed through the collapsed tracheal rings, a sound similar to honking will come from your dog
• Breathing difficulties: When your dog’s tracheal rings begin to collapse, you can visibly see them having a hard time breathing. They will start panting or take gasping breaths
• Coughing: You can only notice significant coughing from your dog when you pick them up or apply pressure towards their neck
• Vomiting: Due to breathing difficulties, your dog may also end up vomiting or gagging.

Treating a Collapsed Trachea

Antibiotics

While antibiotics are not meant to treat the tracheal collapse itself, they can help treat any resulting infections or ailments your dog may be suffering from. Due to the tracheal collapse, your dog can be at risk of various secondary diseases.

Depending on what kind of infections your dog has, the antibiotics may be given in regular doses or just for one use. While this is not a solution for collapsed trachea, it can help alleviate any additional suffering your dog is going through.

Surgery

When steroids, antibiotics, and other prescribed medical management isn’t working on your dog, the vet may suggest a minimally invasive procedure for your dog instead. Depending on the severity of the situation, they can put in a stent or consider an extrathoracic collapse.

A stent can help maintain the integrity of your dog’s tracheal rings and enable them to breathe easily without any difficulties. However, when a stent is used, your dog might need to be on anti-inflammatory medication and cough suppressants for the rest of their lives. They could also suffer from side effects when their body has difficulty adjusting to the stent insertion.

CBD

When you’re considering alternative remedies for a dog with a collapsed trachea, it’s crucial to consider CBD as well. CBD has been known for its anti-inflammatory effects and is excellent at reducing the pressure that can further degrade the tracheal rings.

Stress and anxiety can also increase in your dog when facing an ailment like this. To ensure that they are relaxed and responding well to the prescribed treatment, you might want to consider adding a dose of CBD to their daily diet. CBD is the best way to relax your dog without giving them a sedative.

Preventative Care

There are specific dog breeds that are more prone to tracheal collapse than other breeds. Lifestyle factors such as obesity can also negatively impact your dog. When you want to ensure that your dog lives a healthy life for a long time, you need to take preventive measures to avoid tracheal collapse, obesity, and other health issues.