Collapsed Trachea in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Veterinary and home care can ease breathing struggles and boost canine well-being.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 19, 2025

Veterinary and home care can ease breathing struggles and boost canine well-being.

Collapsed trachea in dogs is a progressive and potentially distressing airway disorder, most commonly affecting small breed dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, and Toy Poodles. Recognizing symptoms early and seeking prompt veterinary care can significantly improve a dog’s quality of life. This article covers the anatomy of the canine trachea, major symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis methods, available treatments, long-term management, and preventive strategies.

What Is the Trachea and How Does It Work?

The trachea, often called the windpipe, is a flexible tube made of C-shaped rings of cartilage and connective tissue. It serves as the main airway passage, carrying air from the nose and mouth down the neck and into the lungs. Cartilage rings provide structure, while a thin membrane seals the top of the rings to complete the tube. This design keeps the trachea open during normal breathing and flexes slightly with movement.

What Is a Collapsed Trachea?

A collapsed trachea occurs when the cartilage rings weaken, and/or the membrane at the top becomes lax. This causes the tracheal tube to flatten or collapse, especially during respiration. Airflow restriction creates difficulty breathing and often triggers a characteristic harsh, honking cough. Over time, tracheal collapse tends to worsen, causing more severe symptoms and potential distress to the dog.

Stages of Tracheal Collapse

Mild collapse: The trachea slightly flattens, often producing only a mild cough or intermittent symptoms.
Moderate collapse: The airway becomes more constricted, leading to frequent coughing and some difficulty breathing, particularly during excitement or exercise.
Severe collapse: The trachea is extensively flattened, causing frequent coughing, distress, labored breathing, gagging spells, or even respiratory emergencies.

Symptoms of Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

The most recognizable sign of tracheal collapse in dogs is a persistent, dry, “goose-honk” cough. Symptoms usually develop gradually but may worsen during excitement, exercise, exposure to irritants, or pressure on the neck.

Dry, honking coughâoften likened to the sound of a goose honking
Exercise intoleranceâtiring quickly and reluctance to walk or play
Gagging or retchingâespecially when drinking or eating
Labored or noisy breathing, particularly during activity or while pulling on a collar
Worsening symptoms during excitement, stress, or high temperatures
Blue-tinged gums (cyanosis) or episodes of faintingâindicative of severe airway compromise (a medical emergency)

Some dogs may also display signs such as wheezing, difficulty swallowing, or audible difficulty during inhalation (stridor).

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

Tracheal collapse can affect any breed, but it is far more common among small and toy breeds, particularly those that are middle-aged or older. Genetic and environmental factors both play a role.

Breed predisposition: Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Toy Poodles, and other small breeds
Age: Typically seen in middle-aged to older dogs (5-7 years and up)
Obesity: Overweight dogs are at higher risk due to increased airway pressure
Concurrent respiratory conditions: Issues like elongated soft palate or chronic bronchitis increase susceptibility

What Causes Tracheal Collapse?

The cause of tracheal collapse is multifactorial and often involves a combination of genetics, aging, and environmental factors.

Weak cartilage: Congenital deficiency in the strength or integrity of tracheal cartilage rings
Chronic airway inflammation: Repeated exposure to irritants (smoke, dust, perfume, allergens) accelerates tissue weakening
Obesity: Added body weight increases airway pressure, exacerbating tracheal collapse
Collar pressure: Chronic pulling on a collar can contribute to or worsen tracheal damage
Secondary infections: Dogs with recurrent respiratory infections or elongated soft palate are predisposed

Diagnosing Collapsed Trachea

To confirm a diagnosis and rule out other causes of coughing (such as heart disease or infection), veterinarians rely on a thorough medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging.

Physical examination: Listening for a honking cough and palpating the neck for tracheal sensitivity
X-rays (radiographs): May reveal a narrowed tracheal space, though collapse is not always visible
Fluoroscopy: Real-time moving X-rays to observe tracheal collapse during breathing
Endoscopy: Direct visualization with a small camera to assess severity and detect related conditions
Other tests: Bloodwork, analysis of airway secretions, and sometimes ultrasound or cardiac testing to rule out concurrent diseases

Accurate diagnosis is crucial to develop an effective treatment and management plan tailored to the individual dog.

Emergency Management: When Is Tracheal Collapse Life-Threatening?

Although many dogs with mild tracheal collapse can be managed successfully at home, severe or acute episodesâespecially when accompanied by blue gums, open-mouth breathing, or faintingâconstitute a medical emergency. Immediate veterinary care is required. Initial treatment includes supplemental oxygen, sedation, and rapid stabilization.

Treatment Options for Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

The main goals of treatment are to minimize coughing, reduce airway irritation, and maximize the dogâs overall quality of life. Management involves a combination of medications, environmental changes, dietary adjustments, and potentially surgery.

Medical Management

For most dogs, especially those with mild to moderate symptoms, medical treatment is the first line of defense. This is typically lifelong, even if surgery is later performed.

Cough suppressants (e.g., butorphanol, hydrocodone): Help break the cough-irritation cycle by soothing airways and reducing irritation-induced coughing.
Anti-inflammatories (e.g., prednisone, fluticasone): Corticosteroids lower airway swelling. Inhaled steroids offer direct effect and fewer side effects than oral forms.
Bronchodilators (e.g., theophylline, terbutaline, albuterol): Widen small airways, promoting easier airflow and reducing resistance.
Sedatives (e.g., acepromazine, butorphanol): Used to control symptoms worsened by anxiety or excitement.
Antibiotics: Prescribed when respiratory infections or aspiration pneumonia are present or suspected.
Weight management: Reducing excess weight alleviates pressure on the airway and improves breathing efficiency.

Lifestyle and Environmental Adjustments

Use a harness instead of a collar: Reduces pressure on the neck and trachea
Avoid airway irritants: Keep your dog away from smoke, dust, strong cleaning products, perfumes, and other airborne irritants
Limit excitement and strenuous exercise: Prevents episodes of respiratory distress
Keep home humidified: Moist air soothes airway tissues and helps ease breathing
Maintain a healthy weight: Manage obesity through portion control and appropriate exercise

Surgical Options

Surgery is considered only when medical management no longer provides adequate relief or in dogs with severe, life-limiting symptoms. Two primary surgical approaches exist:

Surgical Option	Details
Tracheal rings/ring prosthesis	Plastic rings are placed around the trachea externally, providing structural support; most effective for cervical tracheal (neck region) collapse.
Intraluminal stent placement	A self-expanding metal stent is placed inside the trachea to prop it open; especially reserved for collapse in the chest portion or entire airway.

Surgical procedures carry risks (such as infection, stent migration, granulation tissue formation), so careful case selection is crucial. Postoperative care and lifelong management are always required.

Long-Term Outlook and Daily Management

Collapsed trachea is a chronic condition; most dogs require ongoing medical and lifestyle adjustments. With prompt intervention and consistent management, many dogs can lead happy, active lives.

Consistent medicationâas prescribed by your veterinarian
Routine veterinary checkupsâto monitor disease progression, adjust treatment, and detect complications early
Weight and diet managementâkeeping your dog lean significantly reduces symptom severity
Minimize stressâavoid chaotic environments and carefully manage situations that cause excitement, barking, or anxiety

Commonly Associated Conditions

Elongated soft palate
Obesity
Chronic bronchitis
Heart disease
Respiratory infections

These conditions can exacerbate symptoms, so they must be addressed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Tips for Preventing Tracheal Collapse or Symptom Worsening

Always use a harness for walking your dogâavoid collars around the neck
Eliminate household smoke and aerosol sprays
Keep your dog at a healthy weight
Limit barking and excitement
Regular veterinary wellness exams
Promptly treat any respiratory infections

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What breeds are most commonly affected by collapsed trachea?

Small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Toy Poodles, and Lhasa Apsos are most prone, especially as they age.

Can you prevent a dog from developing a collapsed trachea?

While you can’t entirely prevent it, maintaining a healthy weight, never using neck collars, avoiding airborne irritants, and minimizing barking or throat stress are helpful preventive steps.

Is a collapsed trachea in dogs curable?

No, there is no cure. However, effective medical management and lifestyle changes can greatly improve quality of life and minimize progression.

What should I do if my dog is having trouble breathing?

Seek immediate veterinary attention, especially if your dog is struggling to breathe, has blue gums, is drooling excessively, or collapses. These signs may indicate life-threatening distress.

How is tracheal collapse distinguished from other causes of cough?

Veterinarians use clinical signs, response to gentle neck pressure, and imaging (such as X-rays or fluoroscopy) to differentiate tracheal collapse from heart disease, reverse sneezing, or respiratory infections.

Summary

Tracheal collapse is a common cause of chronic cough and respiratory distress in small breed dogs. Early recognition of the “goose-honk” cough, appropriate diagnosis, and effective, ongoing management help most dogs with collapsed tracheas lead active, enjoyable lives. Consult your veterinarian at the first signs of respiratory trouble, and work closely with your care team for the best long-term outcomes.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete