Collapsing Trachea

[PoodleMommy]

When I was at the vets office for Bella's first exam, she made a comment about her having a collapsing trachea, but said it was no big deal and moved on.

However, recently her coughing fits have gotten more frequent. I was researching online and it sounds like it is a VERY big deal. She is only 11 weeks old.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

Elissa

 

[bubbatd]

I thought this only happened with people not using choke chains properly ... which I know you would never use on a pup . Could this have happened at the breeder's ?

 

[dr2little]

2 of my dogs have collapsing tracheas to a minor degree. This is the cause of the reverse sneeze. Tinker is 9 years old now and is very small and while she snorts quite a bit, she is absolutely fine. It is fairly common in small breeds, more often flat faced breeds but I've seen many little dogs with it who are very healthy little creatures.

 

[PoodleMommy]

dr2little... do your dogs cough alot, like have little attacks where they sound like they are choking?

 

[dr2little]

I wouldn't call it a cought but rather a long drawnout snort where their chests look barreled and as if they're wheezing and struggling to breath. It sounds pretty awful and I remember when it first happened I rushed Tink into the Vet, but of course they reassured me that she was fine. Does your wee one sound like she's coughing (exhaled air) or is it more of a chocking (sucking air in)?

 

[PoodleMommy]

Yea she sounds like she is coughing almost like she is about to throw up, like when a cat is about to throw up a hairball... but then she makes one real cough and it is over for then.

Elissa

 

[dr2little]

Yea she sounds like she is coughing almost like she is about to throw up, like when a cat is about to throw up a hairball... but then she makes one real cough and it is over for then.

Elissa

That does sound different than what a reverse sneeze is like. What does your Vet say?

 

[PoodleMommy]

well the vet kind of shrugged it off as no big deal when she told us about it. But we didnt even realize the problem, but over the last few days we notice she does it more and more... so we are going for a second opinion next week when Bella gets her leg re examined. However, in the mean time I am worried about her everytime she does it.

 

[dr2little]

well the vet kind of shrugged it off as no big deal when she told us about it. But we didnt even realize the problem, but over the last few days we notice she does it more and more... so we are going for a second opinion next week when Bella gets her leg re examined. However, in the mean time I am worried about her everytime she does it.

You're wise to have her checked by another Vet, hopefully they'll just confirm the first Vets. lack of concern but it does sound different than what I know of a collapsing trachea. I'd keep a close eye on her, especially being such a young and tiny pup and run her in earlier if your worried. Good Luck.

 

[Cybill]

I, too, thought this only occurred in people. Good thing you're taking her in for a second opinion. Hopefully, a different opinion will give you better insight. Please let us know his/her diagnosis.

 

[SummerRiot]

I definately suggest a second opinion!!

Poor little Bella!

how is her leg doing?

 

[RD]

A reverse sneeze doesn't sound like coughing to me at all (it's more like a very sharp, wheezing breath being drawn in. Some little dogs make a honking noise when they do it but I haven't noticed the big dogs do this) dogs with a collapsing trachea tend to cough a lot when they get excited. I dog-sit several Yorkies with ct's that wriggle and cough like crazy when they see me walk in the door.

I agree with everyone else. I would get a second opinion.

 

[showpug]

You may find this information helpful. It states that this is a very common condition among toy poodles...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1611&articleid=410