Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
The majority of the dogs I’ve cared for with tracheal collapse have mild to moderate symptoms. They do well with symptomatic treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
But some dogs have severe symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life. Deciding when to euthanize a dog with tracheal collapse is really tough even in the best of situations.
This article guides you through assessing your dog’s overall quality of life and managing the emotional journey, with insights into the medical aspects of tracheal collapse. You should also talk to your veterinarian for advice tailored to your dog’s unique situation.
KEY POINTS
- Tracheal collapse is common in dogs with most having mild cases throughout their lives.
- Medical and surgical therapy for tracheal collapse can improve some dogs’ quality of life significantly.
- Severe tracheal collapse leads to poor quality of life, making euthanasia the best option when they can no longer breathe well.
The Case of a Dog Named Rabbit 2
I once treated a dog with a collapsing trachea named Rabbit 2. This pup with a funny name lived with people who loved dogs so much they had 6 of them! They regularly brought this sweet girl to the vet clinic for her chronic cough.
After X-rays and blood tests, we determined she had a collapsing trachea. Rabbit 2 faced several challenges: she was an obese 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier and lived in a house with cigarette smokers. Unfortunately, surgery wasn’t an option and weight loss proved to be nearly impossible.
Despite taking cough suppressants, she spent her remaining years struggling with her condition. Eventually, her quality of life deteriorated so much that her family decided euthanasia was the kindest option.
Euthanasia for Dogs with Tracheal Collapse
For most people, it’s never easy deciding to end the life of a pet. It’s right to take this difficult decision very seriously. It’s helpful to have some practical, objective measures to evaluate how much your dog is suffering.
Below is a Quality of Life Scale inspired by Dr. Alice Villalobos. The scale considers both physical and emotional aspects. (Villalobos) A more objective picture may emerge after scoring each item and considering the total.
Quality of Life Scale for Dogs with Collapsing Trachea
| Quality of Life Factor | Considerations for Dogs with Collapsing Trachea |
|---|---|
| HURT 1-10 | Is your dog in pain, especially from respiratory discomfort? Can they breathe without difficulty most of the time? |
| HUNGER 1-10 | Is your dog eating enough? Do they require special feeding assistance or a feeding tube due to respiratory symptoms? |
| HYDRATION 1-10 | Is your dog dehydrated from not drinking and eating? Are subcutaneous fluids needed to maintain hydration? |
| HYGIENE 1-10 | Can you maintain your dog’s cleanliness, especially if respiratory trouble prevents them from going outside to eliminate? |
| HAPPINESS 1-10 | Does your dog still show interest and joy, or are they mostly lethargic and unresponsive due to their condition? |
| MOBILITY 1-10 | Is your dog able to move without assistance, or are they immobilized due to weakness from tracheal collapse? |
| MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD 1-10 | Consider if your dog has more bad days than good. Are the symptoms of collapsing trachea leading to more discomfort and less enjoyment of life? |
Using the Scale:
Rate each factor listed in the first column on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 represents the best quality of life. A total score above 35 indicates a satisfactory quality of life.
Lower scores, especially in pain management, overall happiness, and mobility, are a stronger reason to consider euthanasia.
Dogs with chronic disease often have some good days interspersed with not-so-good ones. Consider the average of their condition over the last 10-14 days, rather than focusing on a single day.
In my work as a vet, I find many pet owners later say they waited too long to put their pet to sleep. Rarely do they feel the decision was made prematurely.
More from NPHQ Veterinarian
Understanding Tracheal Collapse
Collapsing trachea is most common in small dog breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Maltese. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve abnormalities in cartilage production or its structural components.
- Anatomy of the trachea: The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube connecting the mouth and nose to the lungs. It is supported by stiff, C-shaped cartilage rings that cover about 80% of the trachea’s circumference. The remaining top part, the tracheal membrane, lacks this cartilage support.
- Development of the condition: Tracheal collapse occurs when these cartilage rings are not rigid enough to keep the trachea open, causing the normal, soft membrane to sag inward. Some dogs also have excessive tracheal membrane tissue that intrudes into the airway.
- Disease progression: Typically starting in dogs older than 2.6 years, collapsing trachea worsens over time. About 25% of affected dogs show symptoms before six months of age. (Done, Ing).
Symptoms & Stages of Tracheal Collapse in Dogs
Collapsing trachea in dogs occurs across a spectrum of severity. The problem can be categorized into three stages based on severity (Williams):
Mild
- What it means: The top part of the windpipe slightly sags, but its shape is mostly normal, with slightly reduced airflow.
- Triggers: Occasional coughing, often triggered by excitement or leash pulling.
- How to help: Generally manageable with minimal intervention.
Moderate
- What it means: More pronounced sagging of the windpipe, reducing airflow to about 50% its normal size.
- Triggers: Increased irritation from factors like barking and poor air quality.
- How to help: Lifestyle adjustments and medication often required.
Severe
- What it means: The windpipe is about 75% narrower than normal, significantly hindering breathing.
- Triggers: Activity severely limited; frequent coughing and difficulty breathing with exertion.
- How to help: Weight loss, medication, and potentially surgery needed to improve quality of life.
Critical
- What it means: The windpipe is almost completely closed, making breathing extremely difficult.
- Triggers: Respiratory distress, labored breathing, and potential fainting from lack of oxygen.
- How to help: Immediate veterinary intervention required, including possible oxygen therapy and medication.
Recognizing these stages helps in making informed decisions about care and quality of life as the disease advances.
Treatment Options
Treating mild to moderate tracheal collapse in dogs usually involves medications to ease coughing and inflammation. Corticosteroids, either oral or inhaled, reduce airway inflammation. Cough suppressants are also used, and antibiotics may be needed for dogs prone to infections. Bronchodilators are sometimes prescribed.
In critical cases, surgery, such as placing stents or external rings in the trachea, may be necessary. This procedure, usually done by specialists, helps keep the airway open.
Surgery isn’t a complete cure and has risks, but it can significantly improve quality of life. (De Madron, Durant, Weisse) Costs vary, but stent placement typically starts around $3000.
Your veterinarian is your best resource for figuring out which treatment will help your dog the most. Make sure you give them an honest assessment of your expectations and budget so they can point you in the right direction.
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Management and Home Care
Caring for a dog with tracheal collapse at home requires attention to their daily environment and routine to manage symptoms effectively. Every dog responds to different things, but some of the most common things my clients focus on include:
1. Weight management: Keeping your dog slim is important. Excess weight puts pressure on the windpipe, worsening symptoms. Aim for a weight where you can feel your dog’s ribs and see their waist.
2. Clean air: Use an air purifier and monitor indoor humidity. Avoid smoking indoors and limit exposure to outdoor pollutants and extreme temperatures.
3. Harness instead of collar: Use a soft, vest-style harness for walks to avoid pressure on the neck.
4. Manage Excitement and Stress: Reduce excitement that could trigger coughing. Consider in-home pet sitting over boarding.
5. Quiet and calm environment: Keep your dog calm during flare-ups to help recovery. Avoid strenuous activities and situations that might cause barking.
6. Over-the-counter remedies: Some remedies like honey (Oduwole), DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) (Mills), and possibly CBD oil may help with coughing and anxiety. (Gordon) The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric may helps some dogs. Always consult your vet before trying new treatments.
Emotional Challenges Before and After Pet Loss
Dealing with end-stage tracheal collapse involves significant emotional challenges, both before and after pet loss. Before the loss, you might experience anticipatory grief and the stress of making a decision. Knowing your dog depends on you to make the best decision can add to the anxiety.
After saying goodbye, feelings of sadness, loneliness, or guilt are common. It’s normal to feel these and many other intense emotions. Seek support from friends, family, or professional counselors to help you cope.
Remember that emotional healing takes time. Mourning the loss of your friend is a natural and necessary step.
Support Resources
It helps many people to talk to other dog lovers who understand exactly what you’re going through. I’ve shared some links below to resources specializing in pet-related grief.
- Pet Loss Resource Center: a non-profit group offering support resources for the times before and after saying goodbye to your pet.
- Pet Loss Support Hotline: based at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. You can call (anonymously, if you wish) and get support at 607-218-7457.
- Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet: a book by Gary Kowalski. (click for Amazon.com link)
- The Pet Loss Companion: a book written by family therapists Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez. (click for Amazon.com link)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
Deciding to put down a dog with tracheal collapse is hard. Knowing the stages of the disease and evaluating their quality of life objectively can help you decide.
In the end, it’s about helping your dog live well for as long as possible. When that time ends, euthanasia can prevent their prolonged suffering.
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