Collapsed Trachea in Pomeranians
Collapsed trachea is a fairly common health issue for toy breeds, including the Pom, but most noted in Poodles.
What is it?
Trachea collapse is a condition where the supporting ligaments that hold the trachea open weaken and collapse. A normal trachea is shaped like a long round tube, with rings of ligament along the tube that help support it and keep the airway open. When these ligaments become weak, the trachea begins to collapse upon itself, narrowing the airway.
Symptoms
Symptoms include difficulty breathing (especially during exercise), shortness of breath, and coughing (sometimes sounding like the honking of a goose). In severe cases, there may be a blue discoloration of the gums and tongue, as breathing is impaired.
Treatment / Management
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Poms with this condition are discouraged from strenuous activity. Weight management becomes very important! Although they may now be limited in activity, their weight needs to be kept down to avoid unnecessary stress on the heart and lungs, as the body works harder just to breathe. Using a harness, instead of a collar is preferred. This helps to keep pressure off the neck area.
Diagnosis will be confirmed with a physical exam by veterinarian, along with x-rays. Medications may be prescribed to open up the airways and/or suppress coughing. In the most extreme cases, surgery may be done to open the airway, but the majority of cases are controlled (not cured) with medication.
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What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
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