Dogs who have a dry cough that sounds like a goose when excited, bark a lot, or are tired may be a sign of bronchial stenosis that dog owners should not ignore.
Bronchiectasis is a common disease in small breed dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Poodles, and Maltese. It mostly occurs in dogs that are overweight or, in simple terms, obese. However, large breed dogs are also at risk of bronchial stenosis. Dogs with this disease will have difficulty breathing, dry coughing that sounds like a goose quack when excited, barking excessively, or tired from various activities. The symptoms will become more obvious as the dog grows older.
Causes of Bronchial Stenosis in Dogs
The cause of tracheal stenosis in dogs is still unknown, but doctors have found that the cartilage in the trachea of dogs with tracheal stenosis has fewer cells than normal, causing the cartilage in the trachea to be weak and weakened. The upper and lower bronchial tubes become flattened and press down, causing a blockage in the respiratory tract. Or it may be from other causes, such as: There is a mass outside the trachea that compresses and causes the trachea to become narrow or the tracheal muscles to become paralyzed, etc.
Treatment of bronchial stenosis in dogs
Treatment for tracheal stenosis often depends on the symptoms and severity of the disease, but medication cannot cure a dog. In some cases, medical treatment may be combined with surgery if the dog shows acute symptoms.
Medical treatment
Acute
Dogs with tracheal insufficiency may show signs of acute respiratory distress. The best thing to do is to keep the dog in a well-ventilated, oxygenated environment and minimize stress. Then, steroids can be used to reduce laryngeal edema and tracheal irritation, and cough suppressants can be used to suppress the cough and calm the dog.
Chronic
For dogs with severe bronchospasm, your veterinarian will prescribe bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics. It is also important to keep your dog away from irritants such as cigarette smoke, dust, etc., and to give your dog some light exercise to help him lose weight.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment for tracheal stenosis is recommended by a veterinarian if the dog has not responded to medication for at least two weeks or if the dog's symptoms are severe. There are several surgical methods for treating tracheal stenosis, such as:
- Tracheostomy
- Upper tracheal fold
- Insertion of a solid C-shaped prosthetic organ
- Tracheal prosthesis placement
Tracheal stenosis is a common respiratory problem in obese small dogs. Taking your dog to exercise and keeping him in a well-ventilated area can help reduce the risk of developing tracheal stenosis. However, if your dog shows clear symptoms of this disease, you should take him to see a veterinarian for the correct treatment before his symptoms become severe and life-threatening.
References
Dr. Oraya Prapanphot (Dr. Nun), veterinarian at Talingchan Animal Hospital
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