Small dog breeds are now very common. We are so used to these four-legged friends that some simply cannot imagine themselves without them. For many people, especially single people, a pet replaces a family, and is not a simple decoration of the interior, so to speak.
It is important to remember that dogs can hurt just like humans. Moreover, their diseases are similar and in most cases have the same manifestations. Small breeds of dogs, such as Spitz, York and Chihuahua, are especially susceptible to pathological processes in the body.
And, perhaps, one of the most complex diseases can be called tracheal collapse. What is this disease?
Tracheal collapse is a chronic disease. It is characterized by an inherited deformation of the named organ, leading to its narrowing. As mentioned above, in most cases small pedigree dogs suffer from this.
Why does trachea collapse in dogs?
The pathological process in question is characterized by the fact that the lumen of the trachea undergoes a narrowing due to loss of elasticity of the cartilage rings. They become similar in appearance to the letter "C". Therefore, their rigidity disappears, of course, there is a narrowing. While air passes through the trachea, its membrane acquires pathological mobility. That is, when your dog collapses in the trachea in its thoracic region, then when you inhale the membrane protrudes. And during exhalation, it is drawn in, closing the space of the trachea. It is because of this that its obstruction is obtained.
If the collapse of the trachea in dogs begins in the cervical region, then the picture is reversed: when you inhale, the membrane retracts, and when you exhale, it bulges out.
What happens when an elastic membrane touches the mucous membrane? The dog has a cough. If the lumen narrows so much that the dog ceases to have enough air, then it becomes anxious, cannot find a place for a quiet lying. Due to shortness of breath and frequent breathing, the animal feels even worse. During this period, the dog can be restless. The frequency of respiratory movements increases, then a closed cycle comes out.
With the development of the inflammatory process, the dog’s health is aggravated. When the trachea collapses in dogs, a lot of mucous secretion is produced, a cough begins, and deformations arise in the tissues. All of the above leads to problems in the work of the trachea.
Which dogs get sick and why
For what reason this disease develops, it has not been studied enough. But it is known for certain that it can be primary - appears in young dogs and is considered genetically determined, and secondary - arises as a complication in diseases of the respiratory system and circulatory system. Pathology always develops rapidly.
The collapse of the trachea in York and other small dogs can occur in any of the departments, and can also move to the bronchial tree.
In any case, the dorsal cartilaginous membrane and its rings are involved in the pathological process. When it loses elasticity, and the rings are in normal condition, the doctor makes a diagnosis - 1 and 2 degree of collapse. If the latter are affected, then everything is much more serious. The doctor diagnoses a disease of grade 3 and 4.
The collapse of the trachea in the Spitz can be determined by a significant thickening of the cartilage rings, which leads to the loss of their inherent appearance. This is thought to be due to a lack of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans in the tissues.
Gradual thickening of the cartilage leads to a decrease in size. Consequently, the lumen of the trachea becomes much narrower. The most basic cause of pathology is considered to be a genetically inherited deformation of the cartilage. It is because of her that the tracheal rings soften.
Often, the collapse of the trachea does not have visible manifestations. This condition remains until another problem appears.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Almost always, the course of the disease remains asymptomatic until specific factors lead to the development of a clinical syndrome.
Let us consider in more detail what constitutes the collapse of the trachea. Symptoms of it will be as follows:
- Suddenly tearing cough appears, aggravated by leash tension, tension, tracheal irritation.
- With the progression of the disease, the cough intensifies, additional symptoms are added (they can be read about below).
- Shortness of breath, the dog suffocates when exerted.
- Lethargy.
- Cyanosis of the mucous membranes.
- Fainting conditions are possible.
Some concomitant diseases:
- Overweight animal.
- Heart failure.
- Inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.
Over time, the disease progresses, especially if there are its manifestations.
Who is more likely to collapse
It mainly occurs in small dogs. In second place are dogs of medium size, such as pugs. Moreover, the frequency of diseases does not depend on the age of the animal. But a strong influence is exerted by various provocative factors and secondary diseases.
But still, since the disease develops for a long time, at a young age in dogs coughing is extremely rare, and with age it is observed more often.
What systems are affected by the disease
Signs of tracheal collapse in lesions of certain systems:
- Breathing The infection affects the upper respiratory tract and lengthening of the soft palate is observed. Also there is a "fading" of breathing. Due to problems with cleaning the trachea, an inflammatory process occurs.
- Cardiovascular. For major breathing problems, pulmonary hypertension is added.
- Nervous system. Due to a lack of oxygen and vasovagal reflexes, coughing develops syncope.
Diagnostics
The collapse of the trachea in dogs, namely its cervical part, can be detected when feeling with fingers. Defining this disease is difficult.
The following studies are used for diagnosis:
- X-ray diagnostics. It makes it possible to recognize the collapse of the trachea, but in this method there is one difficulty. It consists in the fact that in order to recognize this pathology, a photograph in a certain projection is often required, for example, when inhaling or exhaling. Explain this point to the animal is quite difficult.
- Ultrasound Using this method, tracheal collapse in a dog in the cervical region can be determined. For this, a special high-frequency sensor is used. The method is used extremely rarely.
- Tracheoscopy This method is considered the most informative. Its essence lies in the fact that an animal called an endoscope is injected into the animal under general anesthesia. It gives the doctor the opportunity to view the trachea along its entire length, as well as evaluate the mucous membrane. It happens that in this study, a small piece of tissue is removed for research to determine cellular changes, the causative agent of the disease, and sensitivity to antibiotics.
Degrees
After conducting research, it is possible to determine the degree of collapse:
- Normally, the trachea has an elongated rounded shape.
- First degree. With it, sagging of the dorsal membrane occurs, and the lumen of the trachea becomes less by a quarter. The rings are normal.
- Second degree. The shell sags strongly, the rings flatten a little. The vascular space is reduced by half.
- Third degree. The shell sags right up to the cartilaginous rings. The rings are flat. The vascular space is narrowed.
- Fourth degree. The dorsal membrane is located on the cartilage rings, which become flat and inverted, there is almost no lumen.
How to treat tracheal collapse in dogs
Treatment with medicines of the aforementioned disease is selected strictly by the doctor, depending on the individual characteristics of the animal. With a mild form of the disease, before prescribing drugs, veterinarians recommend specific measures: combating excess weight, using a harness instead of a collar, and treating a secondary inflammatory focus in the airways.
Sometimes an animal needs to take medication to suppress breathing. And in some situations, it is necessary to treat the collapse of the trachea with hormonal drugs.
If the dog's mucous membranes turn blue and she is breathing heavily, it is urgent to take her to the veterinarian, because in this case it is urgent to conduct an operation to save the life of the pet.
Surgery
Sometimes, when a dog has tracheal collapse, an operation is necessary for the animal. But they do it only when drug therapy does not give a result, and the animal’s life is in danger.
There are several surgical options for collapse. Their meaning is that instead of the damaged area of the trachea, an implant is inserted, which has all the necessary properties to ensure normal breathing of the dog.
On the one hand, this method is considered effective, and on the other, it can lead to various complications, such as implant rejection, infection, laryngeal paralysis and tracheal necrosis. If pathology is not treated, then serious respiratory failure occurs.
Another option for surgery is stenting. This is the installation of a self-expanding stent, which is a mesh made of netting with gaps. It is inserted into the trachea where there is a pathological narrowing. Thanks to him, maneuverability for air is maintained. To date, this option is considered the most effective.
If there is a collapse of the trachea in a Chihuahua, then antitussive drugs, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics and sedatives are used for treatment. The task that doctors are pursuing, first of all, is to cure the disease completely or at least slow down the development of the disease in order to help the animal live a familiar life.
Medicinal therapy: bronchodilators, hormonal and antitussive drugs
Drug therapy is prescribed depending on the symptomatic manifestations, and bronchodilators are considered the main drugs in the treatment of these diseases, as they reduce spasm and intrathoracic pressure, increase the lumen of small vessels and give rest to the diaphragm. To drugs of this series include: "Aminophylline", "Terbutaline", "Albuterol", "Theophylline".
Narcotic analgesics, which also have a sedative effect , are referred to antitussive. Due to this, they help control the cough center. Butorphanol is one of these drugs. The concentration of the drug is selected individually, depending on the course of the disease. Instead of “Butorphanol”, the drug “Hydrocadone” is sometimes prescribed. But there is a significant drawback of these drugs - their turnover in Russia is very limited.
Hormone therapy is used if the cough is very strong. She well removes edema from the trachea and stops the signs of the disease. With prolonged use, secondary infection is possible.
If this happens, then antibiotic therapy is an ideal treatment option. Drugs are selected after analysis of swabs from the surface of the trachea.
Soothing medications are given to highly excitable dogs to reduce coughing attacks. Usually, veterinarians prescribe Diazepam and Acepromazine.
If the animal has a cough distress, then it is urgently necessary to place it in a clinic where emergency measures will be taken.
To improve the condition of the dog, you also need to properly think out a diet to reduce body weight. It is also necessary to improve the properties of the ambient air (try not to smoke nearby, ventilate the room, use a humidifier) and use a light helmet instead of a collar.
What will happen to the dog after surgery
Usually, when tracheal collapse is detected in dogs, treatment is prescribed immediately. Often the only correct solution to this problem is surgery.
After it, rehabilitation treatment by a doctor is required. A prerequisite is also the implementation of the prevention of infections and chronic diseases.
Periodically, a stent check is required. For this, radiography and endoscopy are performed.
The owner of the pet should be aware that stent placement does not cure the disease, it just helps to establish normal breathing. But the cough will remain, and the mucus will still accumulate, and the dog will cough it.
It is especially important to establish normal breathing during the third or fourth stage of the pathological process. Otherwise, it will be impossible to do anything with collapse.
Complications after stent placement
Complications after the named procedure can be the following:
- Allergy to metal.
- Fracture of the stent.
- Change in his position.
- Persistent cough.
- The growth of the mucous membrane of the trachea.
To avoid complications, you can not skip periodic examinations. They will be able to help timely identify complications and take measures to eliminate them.
So we figured out what constitutes a collapse of the trachea. Treatment for this disease should begin as soon as possible after determining the diagnosis. It is very important to help your pet in time.
Prognosis after treatment
Standard therapy promises a favorable prognosis after a course of drugs and a normal quality of life for your pet.
In the surgical option, the effectiveness of the method is 81-91%. Better, of course, it is suitable for the treatment of young dogs. If the dog is elderly, then the effectiveness is reduced, albeit slightly.
The severity of the disease itself does not affect the prognosis. Since in the fourth stage, in the case of proper treatment, doctors very often get a positive effect.