Collapsed Trachea in Pugs or small dogs..

[STLDisney_Freak]

I am writing to see if anyone on the board has experience with a small dog with a collapsed trachea. Our 12 year old Pug, Precious, was diagnosed with a collapsed trachea earlier this week. We originally took her in for excessive coughing and after the vet keep her overnight to check her heart and monitor her we got our diagnoses. Precious is currently on a cough tablet twice a day unless needed more and some clavamox just to rule out any lingering infection if she had one. I was told to keep her cool, limit exercise, try to get her to lose weight, and purchase her a harness. I didn't ask the vet if this is a promised death sentence or if she could live a few more years, but I have to say I am worried about her. Yeah I know she is getting old and she will go eventually, but her and my other pug, Blackheart (He's 14 years old), have been my babies for a long time even before I had kids. My husband purchased them for me. Anyway, before I get off track, I just wanted to see if anyone has experienced with it in a small dog or a pug. I'd like to hear your story.

 

[erincon23]

We have a miniature poodle with this condition. We've had her since she was six, she's 12 now, and she's had it at least the entire time she's been with us. All of a sudden she'll start to wheeze, and try to catch her breath. It seems to help her when we pet her while this happens, and it goes away a minute later. She also coughs a tremendous amount, but she has congestive heart failure. The vets seems to take the trachea thing pretty likely, like it's no big deal, something that just happens in some breeds of dogs. Sorry, can't tell you any more!

Erin

 

[CDoobee]

We have 12 year old part yorkie/part chihuahua/part ?? sisters (same litter).

One of them, Daisy, was diagnosed with this condition several years ago....maybe 4 or 5. She is also overweight, but her sister, Buttercup, is fatter and hasn't had the problem.

We were also told to keep her calm (yeah, right!) and to use a harness not a collar. She took Theophylline twice a day until maybe a year ago or less. We just ran out and never got it refilled and she's been fine. If she should start coughing again we'll put her right back on it!

Good luck with Precious! Hopefully she'll do as good as Daisy has!

 

[chisnpeke]

Our 8 year old chihuahua had this happen two years ago. He is overweight and got into our other dog's food and had food bloat which caused his trachea to collapse. He's doing fine now and just can't get overheated and to help him stay calm.

I hope your Precious will be ok. It is scary.

 

[MinnieFan]

We had an adorable little pug back when I was in high school, and he suffered from this condition. He unfortunately eventually died from it - he was only 4 years old. We later learned that pugs should always use a harness, never a traditional collar and leash, to avoid putting pressure on the trachea as these dogs are extremely susceptible to this condition. Too bad our vet at the time never thought to tell us this. Hopefully your little dog will be OK, it sounds as if your vet is doing everything possible to treat him. Good luck!

 

[PghLybrt]

We have 2 pugs, Aunt and Nephew. When we got the nephew we did notice he had problems breathing. We chalked that up to him being a pug (because they do breathe funny). We are avid Vet takers however. What I mean is that if they get a scratch i rush to the vets (i know I am awful). When we took him in our vet looked at him and wanted to see how he was in a couple of weeks. Things did not improve. We took him back and then she recomemded a specialist. We took him there. 1st thing the specialist said " I can't believe he is alive". Seriously.
He had a paraylyzed larynx. She had to open him up and sew it open. For a while she thought he would have to have a perm trach. She looked at us and told us that 99% of people would have him put down.

He is now 2. Wears no collar ever, has a cool mat outside with an awning over the porch and full house ac. I am glad we were the family he was ment to be with.

 

[minkydog]

I have a 75-lb standard poodle who has a collapsing trachea. It started when he was less than 3 months old after a severe bout of pnemonia. With good nursing care we pulled him through, but his lungs are pretty damaged. He wears a collar but we don't walk him with it. Minky is 10yo now and he has limited breath, but he can still scare the squirrels out of the yard and he can bark when a stranger comes up on the porch. His collapsing trachea has really been a none issue other than he wheezes like a freight train and any activity will make him cough & hack & wheeze.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Thank You everyone for your stories. It seems as some of you have had pretty okay experiences and some have not had good experiences. Precious seems to be doing okay except when she gets all excited which I'm trying to limit, but you know a crazy pug and their bones. She is just so possesive over them and it gets her all in a tizzy when someone tries to steal it.