Collapsed Trachea

A collapsed trachea sounds much like something that might occur only when a dog has been in a dangerous fight or perhaps hit by a car. But collapsed tracheas can actually happen without any visible injury to the animal itself. At first, your dog may start to cough a little bit. The cough will then intensify and becomes almost incessant when he or she runs or even walks on a leash.

A collapsed trachea can be a serious threat to the happiness and health of your pet. If you believe that your dog may be suffering from a collapsed trachea, contact your Austin vet clinic today to find out more about this disorder and your various treatment options.

Detecting a Collapsed Trachea

There are a few things that are essential to look out for in terms of possible collapsed tracheas. These signs include:

• Incessant coughing (This cough sounds like a loud “honking” noise.)
• Difficulty breathing
• Lethargy (Your dog likely cannot run or walk as fast as he or she used to.)
• Blue gums and tongue (In the advanced stages, the reduced oxygen your pet is suffering from will show in this manner.)

Collapsed tracheas typically occur in small breeds, particularly toy breeds. Toy poodles are the breed most commonly affected. If you own a toy breed, it is important to always use a harness on the dog when walking him or her rather than attaching the leash to his or her collar.

Contact Us

If you suspect that your small dog may be suffering from a collapsed trachea, he or she needs emergency medical treatment. Contact your Austin vet clinic as soon as possible.