Will a breathing tube kill my dog with a collapsing trachea?

Collapsing trachea is not usually a huge issue with anesthesia. While under anesthesia, Bella will have an endotracheal tube in her airway which will keep her trachea open, preventing collapse. The only potential issues associated with this condition come during recovery if Bella becomes overexcited as she wakes up from anesthesia. Her vet will be able to monitor her and give mild sedatives during recovery if needed. Personally, I do not worry extensively about anesthetizing dogs with known collapsing tracheas provided that they have no other systemic diseases or cardiovascular problems. I hope that all goes well for Bella!

You are correct that intubation can exacerbate (but not cause) tracheal collapse. However, we frequently see tracheal irritation after intubation which commonly causes coughing and slowly improves after 24-48 hours. We do sometimes recommend a cough suppressant for dogs if they are having excessive coughing after intubation. I have included a link below to tracheal collapse. If Dougie is having trouble breathing, please seek medical attention immediately. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1527 Please let me know if that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Rusty has an elongated soft palate, the surgery will definitely help him breathe easier. I would have the surgery done if this is the recommendation so that the flap does not obstruct the airway. The anesthesia is typically not the problem it is the recovery period when the tube is removed from the airway that the breathing problems can occur. Once the tube is in place for Rusty to attach the anesthesia to, it will probably be the best that he has ever been able to breathe if he has been dealing with an elongated soft palate. Typically with these cases, I will leave the airway tube in place until the patient is wide awake and can hold the head up. Once the patient is awake and able to swallow, I then pull the tube. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry to hear that your little girl isn't doing well. If she is urinating and defecating because she is losing consciousness because her airway is obstructing from the collapsing trachea, then yes, you might need to consider either a procedure where a stent is placed to keep the airway open (last resort procedure that has complications and is very expensive), or euthanasia. I would discuss with your vet about why she is urinating/defecating and if she is losing consciousness or not. Also, in the meantime, discuss with your vet about medications to try to decrease the coughing (codiene phosphate liquid, linctol, steroids possibly),but keep in mind this is not a cure, but might help slightly, but has side effects and might not help at all. Unfortunately, with severe collapsing trachea, sometimes euthanasia is the most humane thing to do. I am sorry she is so sick.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Scamp is super cute! I think his risks are small. I do not think his spinal deformity increases his risk at all. The collapsing trachea is a mild risk. Canine neuters are quick procedures. Most Veterinary hospitals do a wonderful job monitoring while your pet is under anesthesia and in recovery. The pets are intubated, on oxygen and inhaled gas, have EKG, blood pressure and pulse oximetry hooked up. They are also on IV fluids. Due to his collapsing trachea the recovery period is the most important part for him. Risks for Scamp would be coughing and inflammation of his airway in recovery and I think this is small. Other causes for anesthetic and surgical complications are VERY rare and unpredictable (bleeding, cardiac or respiratory arrest, drug reactions, death, etc). I hope this helps and I wish Scamp the very best!

Typically, medical management of collapsing trachea includes cough suppressants such as hydrocodone, tapering doses of prednisone or inhaled steroids such as fluticasone. If Chaisey has developed an acute worsening of symptoms, thoracic radiographs and an airway wash should be considered to rule out infection. Albuterol is typically not helpful in my experience.

Poor girl. Collapsing trachea is easily diagnosed with a chest radiograph (x-ray). I would request this test to be done. The vet can also assess Princess's heart to make sure she doesn't have underlying heart disease. If she does have collapsing trachea as the underlying cause, then she should be started on medicaitons (cough suppressants, potential steroids, bronchodilators, etc) to take at home to possibly help with this. However these will only provide some relief. The only way to provide a more effective treatment for this condition is surgical correction of the section of collapsed trachea. Here is more information on tracheal collapse in pets. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1527 I hope that you are able to get Princess some relief soon. Best wishes and take care.