The trachea is a tube that carries air from the back of the throat to the lungs. The trachea is held open by cartilage rings. The rings don’t go completely around the tube, but about 80 % around. The little portion of the trachea that is not supported by cartilage can collapse into the trachea. Over time, the collapsing tissue stretches so far it reaches the other side of the tracheal wall. This process is called tracheal collapse.
When anything, including the body’s own tracheal membrane, touches the inside of the trachea, the body responds by coughing. If the material touching the trachea is dust or debris, the cough expells the material and clears the airway.
With tracheal collapse, the membrane of the trachea touches the inside and no amount of coughing gets it out of the way. Once the membrane has stretched far enough that it sags against the inside of the airway, the pet is cursed with a chronic, explosive, harsh cough.
Breeds predisposed to develop tracheal collapse
Pets most disposed to develop collapsing trachea are those with tiny throats: Maltese, Poodles, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, & Silky Terriers, for example. We try to protect these little ones throughout life, but if they develop a chronic cough from tracheal collapse, they need medications.
Medications that help treat tracheal collapse
These meds help treat cough of collapsing trachea:
Tessalon + hydrocodone +/- promethazine + Cerenia.
Tessalon helps because it contains lidocaine and anesthetizes the stretch receptors.
Cerenia helps with cough by affecting the brain.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas for collapsing trachea
Two TCM formulas help with collapsing trachea:
Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Xue Fu Zhu Ye Tang. Xiao Chai Hu Tang is present in multiple formulations. If the pet has knee and back problems in addition to tracheal collapse, Then Kan Herb formula Benefit Hips & Knees is helpful. If the pet has liver problems in addition to tracheal collapse, then Open the Liver Channels is helpful. For pets that may have cancer, heart or lung problems in addition to tracheal collapse, Xue Fu Zhu Ye Tang is helpful.
If your pet has an explosive cough that occurs with excitement, it may have tracheal collapse.Use holistic veterinary care to help your pet be as comfortable as it can be.
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