All dogs have a collapsing trachea, but the chihuahua breed is one of the most susceptible to it. This blog post will talk about all the different causes of a collapsing trachea in chihuahuas and what you can do if your dog begins showing signs of suffering from this ailment. Get to know more about Treating A Collapsing Trachea In Chihuahua!
Collapsing trachea in Chihuahuas can be caused by many things, including allergies, cancer, heart disease, or even old age. It’s important to recognize these symptoms early on so you can treat them before they progress too far. Please pay attention to your dog’s cough and breathing patterns because both could indicate something isn’t quite right with their airways. If you notice that your Chihuahua can no longer breathe through their nose, this could signify collapse. You’ll also want to watch for wheezing or gasping, as these symptoms indicate problems with the trachea.
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Recognizing the Signs of Tracheal Collapse
A Chihuahua’s trachea, or windpipe, can collapse from various causes. Most commonly, this occurs when the cartilage around the windpipe weakens and degenerates due to age.
The most common symptom is difficulty breathing with shortness of breath during exercise or excitement.
Other signs include coughing, shaking off water after swimming (or drinking), and excessive drooling because they cannot swallow properly. Depending on your veterinarian’s diagnosis, there are different treatments. However, you may need to undertake them for your Chihuahua to live comfortably with its collapsing trachea.
Listen To Your Chihuahua’s Cough
One of the easiest ways to tell if your dog is having trouble with its trachea is by listening to the sound of its cough.
A healthy dog will make a typical coughing noise when it clears its throat, but a Chihuahua with a collapsing trachea may produce a honking or gurgling noise. If you hear this type of noise from your pup, it’s time to take them in for a check-up.
Observe Your Chihuahua’s Breathing
In addition to listening for unusual noises when your Chihuahua coughs, you should also be aware of how they breathe.
Normally dogs will breathe in and out through their nose. But if your pup’s trachea is collapsing, then they may start to breathe through their mouth instead. So keep an eye out for any labored breathing. This could signify that your dog has trouble getting enough air into its lungs.
Monitor Your Chihuahua’s Activity
As with many other health conditions in dogs, the amount of activity your Chihuahua gets can affect how severe their collapsing trachea becomes.
Dogs who are constantly active and running around are more likely to experience problems with their airways.
If you have noticed that your pup has been panting more than usual or seems to be tiring easily, it might be time to limit their exercise until you can get them checked out.
Take Your Chihuahua To Your Veterinarian
One of the most important things you can do if your Chihuahua begins showing signs of suffering from a collapsing trachea is to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
If left unchecked, this problem will only worsen over time and could eventually cause serious health issues for your pet. However, by getting medical treatment early on, you may be able to prevent more severe problems down the road, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today!
Treating A Collapsing Trachea Without Surgery
If there isn’t enough damage done already, then treating a Chihuahua’s collapsing trachea without surgery is a possibility.
This usually means that your veterinarian will put your pup on a course of corticosteroids. It reduces the inflammation in the trachea and helps it stay open.
In some cases, antibiotics may also be prescribed if the cause of the collapse is determined to be an infection. Cough suppressants can also help ease any symptoms your Chihuahua might be experiencing.
Discuss Medical Treatment Options With Your Veterinarian
If you are unsure how best to treat your Chihuahua’s collapsing trachea, don’t hesitate to discuss your options with your veterinarian.
They will be able to give you more information about each possible treatment. It will also let you know how likely it is to be effective.
If surgery becomes necessary, your vet will help make the right choices for your pup. Then, they can get back out and about as quickly as possible!
Hospitalize Your Chihuahua, If Necessary
If there are complications or other problems with their health, then sometimes hospitalizing a Chihuahua may become necessary.
During this time, your pet will need round-the-clock monitoring by trained professionals. Those who can keep an eye on them while trying different treatment options until something starts working again.
Treat Your Chihuahua’s Airways
In some cases, medical intervention isn’t enough to fix the problem of collapsing trachea. Then surgery may become the only option.
While this might seem a drastic step, it can be life-saving for dogs with serious trouble breathing.
Treat Other Diseases Your Chihuahua May Have
If your Chihuahua is suffering from a collapsing trachea, then there is a good chance that they are also dealing with other health problems.
Dogs with this condition often have weaker immune systems and are more prone to getting sick.
Make sure you watch your pet for any signs of sickness. Then, get them to the vet as soon as possible if something seems off.
Limit Your Chihuahua’s Activity
As we mentioned before, one of the best things you can do to help your Chihuahua with their collapsing trachea is to limit their activity.
This means that for the time being, they should only be allowed out for short potty breaks and nothing more.
Reducing their physical exertion will help keep them from tiring out too quickly. In addition, you will make it easier for them to breathe.
Reduce Your Chihuahua’s Anxiety
Anxiety can also affect how severely a dog’s collapsing trachea becomes.
If your Chihuahua is feeling stressed or anxious, it can put a lot of added strain on its respiratory system.
You can do a few things to help reduce your pup’s anxiety and make them feel more comfortable.
Some ideas include:
- using calming essential oils,
- providing plenty of toys and
- chews to keep them occupied, and
- training them in basic obedience commands.
Corticosteroids Which Reduce The Inflammation
If your veterinarian diagnoses your Chihuahua with collapsing trachea, then there is a good chance they will prescribe corticosteroids as part of the treatment plan.
This medication helps to reduce the inflammation that is causing the trachea to collapse in the first place.
Antibiotics Depending On The Cause Of The Disease
If the cause of your Chihuahua’s collapsing trachea is determined to be an infection, antibiotics may also be prescribed.
This will help clear up the infection and allow the trachea to heal properly.
Cough Suppressants
Sometimes, a dog might experience symptoms like coughing even after treatment has started.
In these cases, cough suppressants can be given to help ease their discomfort.
Manage Your Chihuahua’s Weight
One of the best things you can do to help prevent your Chihuahua from developing a collapsing trachea is to keep an eye on their weight.
Overweight dogs are far more likely to develop this condition than those at a healthy weight.
Ensure you provide your pup with a balanced diet and plenty of exercises, so they stay trim and fit.
Treating A Collapsing Trachea With Surgery
If medical intervention and lifestyle changes aredon’t helping, surgery may become the next step.
This involves a procedure where the surgeon will make an incision in your pup’s throat. Then tighten up the muscles around the trachea to keep it from collapsing.
While this might seem a drastic step, it can be life-saving for dogs with serious trouble breathing.
Find A Veterinary Surgeon
Finding a qualified veterinary surgeon is the first step in getting your Chihuahua surgery for their collapsing trachea.
Not all vets have the experience or training to perform this surgery.
Make sure you research and find a vet with a lot of experience with this particular procedure.
Learn About Surgical Treatment Options
Once you have found a veterinarian that you feel comfortable with, it’s time to learn about the surgical treatment options available.
Different types of surgeries can be performed. This depends on the severity of the condition and the individual dog.
Discuss The Risks Of Surgery
Before deciding to go ahead with surgery, discussing the risks with your veterinarian is important.
Any surgery comes with a certain amount of risk. This is especially true for dogs already dealing with a health issue like collapsing trachea.
Ensure you understand what could happen if your pup goes under the knife. Whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks.
Perform At-Home Care After Surgery
Once your Chihuahua has undergone surgery for its collapsing trachea, it’s important to perform at-home care until they fully recover.
This includes keeping an eye on their wound, providing plenty of fluids, and ensuring they don’t overexert themselves.
With a little TLC, your pup will return to its old self in no time!
Conclusion:
If your Chihuahua is having trouble breathing, it’s important to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. You can do a few things to help reduce your pup’s anxiety. First, make them feel more comfortable until you can get them the help they need.
If the cause of your Chihuahua’s collapsing trachea becomes an infection, antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Thank you for reading! We hope this article helped educate you, on the causes, and treatment options for collapsed tracheas. For more information, consult with your veterinarian.
