Is my dog's honking cough tracheal collapse? How is it treated?

He is adorable!! Sometimes Yorkies and other small breed dogs have a condition known as collapsing trachea, where the cartilage of the trachea is weak and results in the trachea temporarily narrowing (collapsing) which leads to a honking cough. If he recovers quickly and doesn’t become distressed, then at this time there’s no need for treatment if indeed that’s what’s going on. It may get worse with time, in which case cough suppressants can be tried. In severe cases, surgical stenting may be recommended. Ideally, take him to your vet so they can diagnose whether or not this is the problem and best advise you moving forward. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Usually dogs with collapsed trachea will show signs (honking cough, possible breathing problems, eating, drinking, tracheal irritants (smoke or dust), obesity, and hot and humid weather.) after exercise, or excitement or jumping up and down. Treatment consists of giving cough suppressants, bronchodilators, corticosteroids to control inflammation, and/or antibiotics. In obese patients, weight loss helps decrease respiratory effort. In severe cases surgery is needed.

Hi and thanks for your request. Goose honking cough/respiratory sound usually is due to a tracheal cough, often due to a tracheal collapse, even if uncommon in Staffies. These signs must be strictly monitored and if occur again they should be checked by your local veterinarian. Usually episodes of tracheal collapse are not fatal but if the anxiety and continued collapse or flattening of the trachea associated with an acute event of struggling to breath seems to increase the swelling around the trachea, and yes, these dogs can occasionally have their entire airway swell shut and be unable to breath. The important thing to remember if you have a dog with tracheal collapse is that you should take them in for treatment as soon as you notice distress - the longer the distress persists, the more difficult it is to reverse.

There are a few different reasons pets can make the sound. It could be related to a collapsing trachea, fluid in the lungs or laryngeal paralysis. Try to record a video of the coughing and then have your pup examined by the veterinarian. The doctor may recommend radiographs after the physical exam and watching the video. I hope this helps.

Hello! I hate to hear that Iggy has this happening to him. Coughing can have many causes. In general, the most common are all allergies, kennel cough, or poor air quality (and often it can be even a combination of these). A collapsing trachea can cause a deep cough. It is often described as a goose, honking cough. Some people will also describe a condition, known as a reverse sneeze as a cough. You likely could go online and find several videos of pets who have these conditions and could see what they sound like. YouTube has many videos of pets exhibiting the types of conditions. If this is infectious, in an otherwise healthy pet, they can often clear the infection without a vet visit. There are some things you can do at home to aid in the recovery: Avoid any strenuous activity and vocalization. Panting, barking, and vocalization will cause further irritation to the trachea, and this will cause more coughing…. Which will cause more irritation. Keep your pup indoors. Only go outside to potty and then back inside. Keep the air filters changed on the recommended routine schedules in your house, and you may consider adding an additional HEPA air filter. Make the drinking water and food room temperature. Retailers do sell herbal remedies that can help to soothe the cough for dogs. Honey can also help. Run a humidifier in the room Iggy hangs out in the most. Do not add any essential oils. Avoid contact with other dogs for one week after the coughing ends in case it’s contagious. Have Iggy examined if you see: A significant decrease in eating or drinking. Significant lethargy. Coughing to the point of vomiting. Coughing so frequently, it is not allowing proper rest or sleep. Discharge from the nose or eyes that is green or yellow and last three days or more. Coughing up blood or any pink tinged fluid. Worsening cough. A cough not improving after one week or lasting longer than two weeks. Any significant deviation from normal in any form. I hope this helps, and that Iggy recovers quickly! Sincerely, Dr. Elizabeth

Sorry to hear that Bruno's lost his bark. A change in barking sound or a loss of bark can be associated with a few different conditions. While a collapsing trachea or an upper respiratory infection are certain possibilities, they are not the most common cause for this symptom. There is a condition known as laryngeal paralysis that is known to cause this symptom quite frequently. Regardless of what the cause is, it is unlikely to resolve on its own without some treatment. You should take Bruno into the vet for a physical exam and some diagnostic imaging. They will be able to tell you whether or not one of the above mentioned conditions is causing Bruno's current issues. Hope this helps!

Yes, it could be tracheal collapse, although this condition is more common in smaller breeds, it could also be a chronic condition such as a heart disease or a lung disease, you should take her to the vet in order to get it checked.