Tracheal collapse is a progressive weakening of the tracheal cartilage rings that lets the airway flatten from top to bottom, most often in toy and miniature breed dogs. It causes the classic "goose honk" cough and, in severe cases, cyanosis and collapse. It cannot be cured, but most dogs can be kept comfortable with weight control, cough suppression and anti-inflammatory therapy, with rings or a stent reserved for dogs that fail medical treatment.
Key facts
Collapsing trachea at a glance- Species and system: dog (rare in cats); respiratory system, trachea and often the mainstem bronchi.
- Typical patient: middle-aged or older toy or small breed, especially Yorkshire terrier, Pomeranian, toy poodle and Chihuahua; often overweight.
- Cause: chondromalacia, meaning soft, hypocellular cartilage with less chondroitin sulfate, plus a stretched dorsal tracheal membrane. The primary cause is unknown.
- Classic presentation: dry, honking, paroxysmal cough set off by excitement, heat, eating or drinking, or pressure from a collar, easily induced by tracheal palpation.
- Key test: fluoroscopy shows dynamic collapse without anaesthesia; bronchoscopy grades it and samples the airway.
- Zoonotic or reportable: neither.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and client advice
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 21 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.