15 Ways to Keep your Dog Healthy in the fall

Fall is coming fast. 

The days are getting shorter and the weather is starting to get cooler. Leaves are starting to change color and kids are heading back to school. It’s a great time of year to get outside with your dog and enjoy the cooler temperatures and gorgeous scenery.

Hiking and long walks are a lot more fun for you and your dog in the fall without those hot summer temperatures. But whenever the seasons change there are some things that you should do to make sure that both you and your dog are ready for the next season.

15 Ways to Keep Your Dog Healthy in the Fall

1. Buy Some New Dog Beds

The temperature is going to start dropping. That means that your house will be chilly and your dog is going to want to snuggle up in some soft and thick bedding. When was the last time you replaced your dog’s beds and blankets?

Fall is the perfect time to stock up on new warm and cozy dog beds for your dog. Place them in your dog’s favorite spots around the house. If you have a dog that is a short haired breed you might want to consider getting a heated bed for your dog so that your dog will be nice and warm when sleeping.

2. Stock Your Winter Weather Pet Emergency Kit

Fall is also a great time to overhaul your pet emergency first aid kit. Restock any supplies that are out of date or that you have used but not replaced. Also add some cold weather specific first aid items like a heating pack, a bottle of water, and wipes that will get salt and de-icer off of your dog’s paw fast.

You also might want to put some paw balm in there to soothe your dog’s paws. Walking on ice, salt, and other materials that are commonly found on the ground during colder weather can really irritate your dog’s paw pads. If they are not kept healthy and hydrated they could dry and crack.

3. Buy Some Cold Weather Doggy Clothes

Dog clothes are more than just fashion accessories. Dogs that have short, fine, or thin coats can get chilled very easily once the colder weather starts to arrive.

Doggie sweaters, dog coats, and socks are all necessary if you live in a climate where the weather starts getting cold in early fall. So now that summer is over it’s time revamp your dog’s wardrobe and start adding some warm winter gear.

RELATED: 19 Health Tips for Picking the Best Dog Clothes and Footwear

4. Get Your Dog Some Boots

Dog socks and boots are a must have for the rainy cold weather of fall. They will keep your dog’s legs warm and they will also protect the dog’s paws from the cold ground, ice, salt and other irritants.

Putting waterproof dog boots or waterproof dog socks on your dog also keeps his paws warm, clean and dry during rain season, prevents muddy paws from tracking dirt and mud all over your house when you get back from a walk or a visit to the dog park.

5. Get Paw Hair And Nails Trimmed

You should already be getting your dog’s nails trimmed on a regular basis. But especially in the fall it’s important that your dog’s nails are trimmed and tidy.

Their paw hair and leg hair should clipped too. That will prevent snow, water, mud, and other things from getting trapped in that fur and making your dog really uncomfortable and dirty. Proper dog paw care is particularly important during cold winter months.

6. Get A Vet Checkup

When was your dog’s last checkup? If it’s been awhile, the fall is the perfect time to visit the vet and get a checkup. Get your dog’s annual vaccinations done too.

Regular vet checkups should already be a regular occurrence in your household each year  but in the fall it's particularly important as you're preparing for the cold weather season.

7. Don’t Stop Flea And Tick Preventative

This is extremely important. Many dog owners think that after the summer is over they can stop using flea and tick preventative because the weather is getting colder and making it harder for fleas to survive. But, the fall is prime tick season and ticks can carry diseases that can be deadly to your dog.  You should really be using flea and tick preventative all year long. But you definitely need to be using it in the fall, especially if you are taking your dog on hikes or camping to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery.

8. Brush Out That Summer Coat

When the seasons change your dog will start to shed. A lot. You can make the process easier and faster by grooming your dog regularly to brush out that summer coat and let the dog’s thicker and warmer fall coat come in.

If you don’t want to invest in the time in daily brushing take your dog to a professional groomer and ask them to prepare your dog for the upcoming season. They'll know what to do.

9. Stock Up On Doggy Treats

Colder weather may prevent many dogs from exercise and become more lazy, but for others, keeping up body temperature in cold weather means that your dog will be burning extra calories which need to be replenished.

If that's your dog, then that makes it the perfect time to start giving your dog more dog treats. Everyone likes to snack more during the fall and winter so go ahead and give your dog some extra treats once the weather starts to cool down.

10. Add Canned Food To Your Dog’s Diet

If you only feed dry kibble you should consider adding some canned food to your dog’s diet in the cold weather. Canned food is rich in moisture which will help your dog stay hydrated in the cold and dry weather. And, the extra calories will help keep your dog at a healthy weight and give your dog calories to burn staying warm.

11. Consider Buying A Pet Stroller

Going on walks with your dog in the fall is always fun. But fall weather can be unpredictable and storms can come up fast. The cold pavement can also start to your dog’s feet after awhile.

Consider buying a pet stroller that your dog can ride in during bad weather or when the sidewalks and roads are cold, slipper, or covered in salt. That way you and your dog can both enjoy the outdoors without the risk of your dog getting sick or hurting its paws.

READ THIS: Why You Should Be Proud of Your Dog Stroller

12. Humidify The House

Once the days get cool and the nights get chilly it will be time to turn the heat on again in the house. That can make the house a really uncomfortable and dry atmosphere for your dog.

Respiratory problems in dogs are very common during cold months because of that hot and dry air in the house, according to MerckVetManual. Your dog may start coughing or wheezing because of the air quality. Start running a cool mist humidifier to add moisture back into the air and help your dog breathe more comfortably. It will also help you and the other residents of the house.

13. Start Giving Skin And Coat Supplements

That hot and dry air doesn’t just affect your dog’s respiratory system. It can also affect your dog’s skin and coat. You should talk to your vet about adding fish oil or other skin and coat supplements to your dog’s diet during the fall and winter.

The supplements will help keep your dog’s skin from becoming dry and itchy and keep your dog’s coat in good condition. You also may want to consider taking your dog to a groomer during the winter to make sure that their skin is healthy and to make sure that no salt, burrs, or mud gets lodged in their paws or tangled in their coat.

14. Beware Of Antifreeze

Antifreeze kills thousands of dogs annually, and news about dogs being poisoned by antifreeze keep popping up.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste so if dogs find any of it in the driveway, in the road, in a parking lot or on the pavement they will lap antifreeze up. But it’s poisonous to dogs. And, many people will start to use it once the weather gets cool.

Always be on the lookout for small dark puddles when you have your dog out for a walk and make sure that you don’t spill any if you’re using it in your vehicle. Clean up any spills immediately. If you let your dog outside alone regularly check the area to be sure there are no antifreeze puddles or spills anywhere that your dog has access to.

15. Choose Dog-Safe Decorations

Fall means Halloween and Halloween decorating! Decorating for Halloween is something that many people take very seriously. But when you are decorating your home and your yard for the holiday be sure that your decorations are dog safe.

Also, make sure that any decorations that your dog could eat or injure themselves on are up high or in a place that your dog can’t at. Dogs who eat Halloween decorations could end up with obstructions in their stomach or throat that require surgery. And the paint and coatings on other decorations could be toxic. So have fun decorating but just be sure that your dog is safe too.

Source: Topdogtips.com

How to cut dog's nails

If you decide to cut your dog's nails yourself, 

you should know a few tips! 

This video from www.topdogtips.com is a great resource. 

Check it out! 

Dog Coughing After Eating? Here’s What’s Going On

Dog Coughing After Eating? Here’s What’s Going On

Is your dog coughing after eating? The reasons range from eating too fast to serious health concerns. Here's how to know the difference.

Most dogs eat so fast they easily would be top dog in the July Fourth Coney Island hot dog eating competition. That’s enough to make anyone cough. But coughing sometimes happens even when dogs eat slowly. So is your dog coughing after eating? There can be several reasons — some benign, some worrisome.

A dog coughing after eating could be eating too fast

A dog coughing after eating or drinking is common. Not surprisingly, the cause usually is eating or drinking too quickly.

“Some dogs will drink or eat large amounts at once and then regurgitate,” says Laurie Bergman, VMD, a veterinarian with NorthStar VETS in Robbinsville, New Jersey. “This isn’t usually a concern unless it’s happening very frequently.”

Speed-eating and food-guarding can be instinctive holdovers from the dog’s wild canid ancestors, who often were ravenous after a hunt and needed to eat quickly to protect their food from other predators. Even in a home environment where dogs are handed meals at regular times, the phrase “wolf down food” can be apt.

And other factors could be at play. “Enthusiastic eating might be competitive eating behaviors that developed as puppies or related to other dogs in the household,” says Jillian Marie Haines, DVM, an assistant professor at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, Washington.

“The bigger concern is if we see this behavior as indicative of a dog who is anxious,” says Dr. Bergman. “If that is the reason why the dog is gulping down food, then there is a quality-of-life issue.”

Dr. Haines agrees. “Causes of eating or drinking too fast may include general anxiety disorders or resource-guarding behaviors,” says Dr. Haines. “These behaviors could therefore imply an underlying behavioral issue and could also be associated with aggressive behaviors.”

A behaviorist can help. “The dog can be re-trained to eat at a normal pace,” says Leticia Fanucchi, DVM, PhD, a behaviorist and clinical instructor at Washington State’s veterinary college. She notes that not all dogs who eat fast are anxious but advises to be aware of your dog’s eating habits. “Some behavior disorders can cause medical conditions,” Dr. Fanucchi says.

Indeed, if a dog gulps food, not only is he chewing improperly, he’s likely also swallowing large amounts of air (known as aerophagia). This can suck food into the lungs, which can cause coughing and lead to bacterial infection and pneumonia. Additionally, digestive problems, hiccups and burping can result.

“It can also cause flatulence, which can be unpleasant to those sharing the household,” Dr. Haines says.

Or a dog coughing after eating could signal a serious health issue

In some cases, the culprit could be an underlying health issue. “Medical reasons should be ruled out, especially if the dog is really gagging, losing weight or it’s more than an occasional cough,” says Dr. Bergman, an American College of Veterinary Behaviorists diplomate. “These can include neurological problems affecting the ability to swallow, anatomical problems and upper-respiratory infections.”

The most common medical reasons involve the esophagus, trachea and larynx. Diseases of the esophagus can slow the movement of food and water to the stomach or cause it to stay within the esophagus or be regurgitated. Tracheal collapse can cause coughing depending on the severity and location. And a malfunctioning larynx might not close as it should to protect the airways during eating and drinking, Dr. Haines says. Obstruction, throat irritation, allergies and heart disease also can cause coughing.

How to determine when a dog coughing after eating is a cause for concern

Every dog is different, and not all dogs eat quickly or cough after consumption. Still, it’s best to keep an eye on your dog while he eats and drinks. If coughing becomes frequent or comes on suddenly, visit your veterinarian.

“Depending on the cause, if a medical condition is found, treatment may include surgery, medications or lifestyle changes,” Dr. Haines says. “I have certainly seen dogs with a chronic cough that responded rapidly to medical treatment, and their cough completely resolved within a couple weeks.”

Dog coughing after eating because he eats too fast? Check out these simple solutions

There are ways to slow down a chow hound and a dog coughing after eating or drinking.

“The first step is to make sure that the dog isn’t feeling threatened during a meal,” Dr. Bergman says. “A good starting point is to feed the dog alone. Keep others (dogs, sometimes all other pets, sometimes people, as well) out of the area when the dog eats. For some dogs, this means going as far as feeding in a room by themselves with the door closed.”

Dr. Haines also suggests raising dishes off the floor. “Some medical issues, such as esophageal disease, may improve with offering food or water from an elevated bowl,” she says.

Bowls designed to spread out food or scatter it around obstacles discourage devouring, as do puzzle toys that slowly dispense kibble in response to something the dog does, such as rolling the toy or pushing a button. Stuffing wet food in a hollow toy and freezing it also makes the meal last longer.

“These have the added advantage of being enrichment for the dog,” Dr. Bergman says. “Feeding in ways that make the dogs work, we’re not just slowing down how they eat, but we’re giving them some mental and physical exercise.”

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What dogs are most susceptible to coughing after eating?

Any dog can experience coughing (or making honking, wheezing or gagging sounds) during or after eating or drinking. However, that behavior can be a sign of conditions or diseases to which some dogs are more prone.

1. Puppies: prone to obstruction, throat irritation, bacterial and viral infections, digestive issues
2. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs: prone to gastrointestinal disease, esophageal inflammation,respiratory problems, aerophagia (swallowing large amounts of air)
3. Older or overweight small/toy dogs: prone to tracheal collapse
4. Older large dogs: prone to laryngeal paralysis, particularly Labrador Retrievers, but also Siberian Huskies, Dalmatians and Bouvier des Flandres
5. Large and giant dogs: prone to bloat

Source: Dogster 

Is Your Dog Restless at Night? Here’s What’s Going On

Is Your Dog Restless at Night? Here’s What’s Going On

Is your dog restless at night? Aging, anxiety and lack of exercise are some of the common causes. Here’s some help in getting him to rest (so you can, too). 

After a long day at work, you look forward to a restful night of sleep (with or without your dogs in the bed!). But your dog may have different ideas. Is your dog restless at night? While sleepless nights can be common for new puppies or even some younger dogs, the restlessness will usually die down once the dog matures.

However, if you notice that your dog is no longer sleeping through the night, is constantly changing positions, or pacing around the room or throughout the house, there may be a more serious underlying issue that needs to be addressed. A dog who’s restless at night may signify different age or behavior issues that require some gentle intervention.

Is Your Dog Restless at Night? Dog Restlessness and Activity During the Day

If you don’t provide your dog with the daily exercise he requires, it could result in behavioral issues. Simply put, puppies and dogs need to move and expend their energy. They need to play and run to burn off energy — plus it’s a perfect way to work on your bond, including the practice of some important training cues.

It could be as easy as a walk or a game of fetch. If you have an older, calm dog, he may simply need a short stroll down the block to burn some energy. If you have a young and/or excitable dog, you may need a daily play session in the backyard to adequately tire him out. Remember: A tired dog is a happy dog!

“Because exercise decreases anxiety overall, lack of exercise can contribute to anxiety-based conditions. More specifically, lack of exercise and mental stimulation can lead to attention-seeking and destructive behaviors,” says Stephanie-Borns-Weil, DVM, DACVB, head of the behavior clinic at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. “Ideally, a young, healthy dog should have a minimum of 20-30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise. Some ways to get your dog’s heart rate elevated include long walks, running, fly ball, games of Frisbee or fetch, and swimming. Swimming is especially great for older dogs as it is not as demanding and puts less stress on their joints than other kinds of aerobic exercise.”

Suffering from interrupted sleep yourself? Here are some natural restless leg syndrome treatments >>

Anxiety Can Cause Dogs to Get Restless at Night

Is your dog restless at night even though he’s getting enough exercise during the day? While activity can definitely help, canine anxiety can have many causes and may be subtle enough that some dog owners won’t necessarily notice. This can affect a dog’s sleep schedule and result in a dog who’s restless at night.

Talk to your dog’s veterinarian if medication is warranted, or even an appointment with a board-certified animal behaviorist. Also, there are calming supplements on the market that can be beneficial, but be sure to check with your vet first before you purchase anything to be sure if it’s safe and appropriate for your particular pet. 

Aging and Dogs Who Are Restless at Night

Still looking to find out why your dog is restless at night? As dogs get older, they can easily become restless at night — and the reason why is pretty common. Age typically brings on joint and muscle pain, which can make sleeping more difficult due to discomfort. The onset of dementia can also cause sleep disturbances in dogs. It is important to try and help the quality of life for a senior dog. Again, a consultation with your veterinarian is helpful in a case like this.

For an older dog with typical aches and pains, you might want to consider providing an orthopedic dog bed (younger animals may benefit from this, as well).

Source: Dogster  

Can You Give a Dog Aspirin? Are Human Pain Meds Safe for Dogs?

Can You Give a Dog Aspirin? Are Human Pain Meds Safe for Dogs?

Can you give a dog aspirin or ibuprofen? The answers aren't clear cut when it comes to human medications for dogs — and you should always consult a vet.

My excellent nine-year-old dog took ill recently. She seemed to be walking gingerly, as though in some discomfort, if not explicitly in pain. My dad announced that he was just going to crush up an Advil and toss it in the bowl along with her food. I thought I should consult with some reputable and reliable sources first. I was certain that we weren’t the first dog owners to wonder: Are human pain meds safe for dogs? Can you give a dog aspirin? Can you give a dog ibuprofen?

As dog owners, naturally, when our pets appear to be suffering, we want to do anything and everything in our power to help. In the case of aspirin and ibuprofen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs) for humans may be easily attainable and ready to hand, but they are almost universally toxic to dogs. There are veterinarian-approved and prescribed NSAIDs specifically formulated for dogs — always consult with a veterinary health care professional before attempting to treat your dog at home. So, can you give a dog aspirin? And can you give a dog ibuprofen? Let’s take a peek.

Can you give a dog aspirin?

As far as your dog’s health goes, regardless of whether you have a very large dog or a very small one, the immediate answer to “Can you give a dog aspirin?” is no. The simple fact about normal, over-the-counter aspirin is that it can cause ulcers to form in a dog’s stomach, disrupting the normal operation of a dog’s digestive system. Aside from wreaking havoc on a dog’s stomach, repeated exposure to aspirin can also cause damage to a dog’s kidneys. In a large enough single dose or over time, aspirin can impair kidney function — a condition called analgesic nephropathy — or even cause kidney failure. If you want to relieve your dog’s pain, taking the simplest route by going to your medicine chest and pulling out the aspirin may end up doing just the opposite.

But can you give a dog aspirin if you consult your vet first? If you speak with your vet and consider your dog’s physique, height, weight and general health history, aspirin with a coating, also called buffered aspirin, or even baby aspirin, can be administered to dogs in carefully measured doses and over a short period of time only. We will not recommend an aspirin dosage for dogs here, simply because there are so many types, breeds, and sizes of dogs out there and too many factors to take into account before proceeding.

Can you give a dog ibuprofen?

Now that we’ve answered, “Can you give a dog aspirin?” … Can you give a dog ibuprofen? When it comes to ibuprofen for dogs, all of the same terms and conditions for over-the-counter NSAIDs like aspirin apply. While buffered aspirin and buffered baby aspirin may be given to dogs — only with great care, and preferably after a veterinary consultation — ibuprofen has an even narrower margin of safety.

In fact, ibuprofen for dogs is even worse and more dangerous than aspirin, and should be avoided at all costs. The same issues caused by aspirin can be caused by ibuprofen, including stomach ulcers and kidney failure. If a possible side effect of a medication is death, it’s probably not worth the risk when there are canine-specific NSAIDs that your vet can prescribe.

Symptoms of accidental aspirin or ibuprofen ingestion in dogs

What if the circumstances are different? What if you’re not wondering can you give a dog aspirin or ibuprofen but wondering what to do if your dog ate ibuprofen or aspirin? How do you spot accidental ingestion of these NSAIDs? Since the primary ill-effects dogs suffer from these medications are related to digestion and filtration, the symptoms of poisoning are reliably related to those systems. Things to look out for if you suspect your dog has gotten hold of human pain meds include vomiting. If the dog has enough aspirin or ibuprofen in its system, that vomit may contain blood, as may the dog’s feces, which may express itself as bloody diarrhea.

Seemingly innocuous symptoms include lack or loss of appetite, which can lead to fatigue and lethargy. In large enough amounts or given enough time, the dog may experience abdominal pain, which can lead the dog to hunch over or struggle to find a comfortable resting position. The dog may also seem confused or disoriented. In more advanced cases, a dog who has ingested aspirin or ibuprofen not meant for them can have seizures and even lapse into a coma. Basically, it’s bad news all the way around.

Is your dog in pain? Consult a vet!

Can you give a dog aspirin? Technically yes, but only under certain conditions and doses. Can you give a dog ibuprofen? Best not to. The rule of thumb to follow is that if it’s human pain medication, don’t offer it to your dog, even with the purest motives and the best of intentions. After you think twice, put the bottle of ibuprofen or aspirin back in the medicine cabinet. If you cannot get to a vet, then at least give one a call — in the long run, it’s possible you’ll spare your dog further and completely unnecessary pain.

If you have dogs, especially if they have free reign of the house, make certain that all human medications are safely and securely bottled. Then see to it that your cache of aspirin, ibuprofen and all your other medications for that matter, are stored in cabinets, boxes, cupboards or other home-storage facilities well out of reach. As we all know, dogs can get into mischief around the house; knock the wrong thing over, or the wrong thing open, and trouble can follow.

Source: Dogster 

What to Do About a Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

What to Do About a Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

When a dog has weak cartilage in her windpipe, it can collapse. Here's what you need to know about a collapsed trachea in dogs. 

Recently my inbox has been inundated with questions from dog owners from around the world. That, in and of itself, is not unusual. However, lately I have noticed a marked uptick in questions about what to do about a collapsed trachea in dogs.

First, what is a trachea?

Before we discuss a collapsed trachea in dogs, let’s first define what a trachea is. In medicine, every structure and condition has a fancy name. Freckles are called lentigo simplex. A mole is a nevus. A wart is a papilloma. Eyes with more than one color are said to exhibit heterochromia iridis. The word trachea refers to the windpipe.

The windpipe, as you no doubt know, transmits air from the nose and mouth to the lungs. It sounds like a simple structure, but of course like everything in the body, it is more complex than it sounds.

The windpipe is a tube made out of tissue membranes. Those of you who have studied physics know that when air moves, its pressure goes down. This reduction in pressure, called Bernoulli’s principle, can generate strong forces. It is what allows jumbo jets weighing over a million pounds to climb into the sky. When a dog breathes, air moves rapidly through the trachea, causing the pressure inside of it to go down. This creates a tendency for a collapsed trachea in dogs.

Evolution solved this problem by adding firm structures, made of cartilage, to the trachea. A series of cartilaginous rings holds the trachea open when dogs breathe.

So, what is a collapsed trachea in dogs and why do dogs’ tracheas collapse?

Unfortunately for some dogs, humans have meddled with their evolution. The natural size for a dog is 40 to 50 pounds. When we created smaller breeds of dogs through inbreeding, we inadvertently created a tendency for them to have weak cartilage in their windpipe.

A collapsed trachea in dogs, therefore, occurs almost exclusively in small dogs. Chihuahuas, Miniature and Teacup Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers are especially predisposed to the condition.

Most small dogs are born with cartilage that is sufficiently strong to hold the trachea open. However, age takes its toll on cartilage, as it does on so many things. As cartilage ages, it becomes weaker. Symptoms of a collapsed trachea in dogs thus occur most commonly in older dogs.

What are the symptoms of a collapsed trachea in dogs?

The first symptom of a collapsed trachea in dogs is usually coughing. As the windpipe narrows during breathing, dogs appear to feel a tickle in their throat. The symptoms of a collapsed trachea in dogs tend to be most prominent when air is moving faster and the forces leading to collapse of the structure are stronger. Therefore, the symptoms of a collapsed trachea in dogs are more likely to occur when dogs breathe harder. They often cough when they are excited or when they engage in strenuous exercise.

The coughing caused by a collapsed trachea in dogs generally is dry and often sounds like a goose honking. The coughs may come in clusters, or they may be solitary. They may be triggered by pressure on the windpipe such as occurs when a dog who is leashed to a collar pulls hard. Vets sometimes can trigger coughing in dogs with the syndrome by gently stimulating the windpipe.

The symptoms of a collapsed trachea in dogs can be identical to those of canine infectious respiratory disease, also known as CIRD, and known colloquially as kennel cough. In its early stages, the condition is sometimes mistaken for kennel cough (and the two conditions are not mutually exclusive). However, kennel cough is self limiting. Its symptoms generally resolve within a week. A collapsed trachea in dogs is a lifelong, progressive syndrome.

How is a collapsed trachea in dogs diagnosed?

A collapsed trachea in dogs can be diagnosed in two ways. Radiographs (X-rays) are the most common method. The trachea is visible on chest radiographs. The diagnosis is made if it is seen to narrow on the images. However, a collapsed trachea in dogs is a dynamic phenomenon. The windpipe narrows when the dog inhales, and then snaps back to its normal shape. If the image is acquired when air is not moving, the trachea will appear normal.

A collapsed trachea in dogs can also be diagnosed with endoscopy. An endoscope is a medical instrument with a camera on its end. It can be inserted into the trachea, and the windpipe can be observed visually for evidence of collapse.

What is the prognosis for a collapsed trachea in dogs?

I am sorry to say that severe cases of a collapsed trachea in dogs can have fatal consequences. The narrowing of a collapsed trachea in dogs can become so severe that sufficient air cannot make it into the lungs, and affected dogs may die of respiratory distress.

The news, however, is not all bad. Life-threatening cases of a collapsed trachea in dogs are rare in my experience. Most dogs with the condition experience coughing but do not progress to respiratory distress.

How do you treat a collapsed trachea in dogs?

Treatment for a collapsed trachea in dogs starts with basic lifestyle changes. Leashes should be attached to harnesses rather than collars in order to avoid pressure on the windpipe. (In fact, I recommend harnesses for all dogs, not just small ones.) Obesity exacerbates the syndrome, so special attention should be paid to the weight of dogs with collapsing trachea. Dogs need to move more air through the trachea when they pant on hot days and when they exercise. Therefore, a collapsed trachea in dogs means that dogs should avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day.

Cough suppressants sometimes are prescribed to treat collapsed trachea in dogs. As the syndrome progresses, some dogs benefit from treatment with so-called bronchodilating medications, which open airways and facilitate breathing.

Dogs with crises of respiratory distress due to collapsing trachea may be treated with sedation, supplemental oxygen, and steroids to reduce inflammation and swelling of the trachea. In severe cases, dogs may be anesthetized so that a breathing tube can be placed in order to provide ventilation.

Is there a cure for a collapsed trachea in dogs? What can you do about it?

There is no cure for a collapsed trachea in dogs, but dogs who suffer from advanced forms of the condition sometimes benefit from a procedure called tracheal stenting. Tracheal stenting involves permanent placement of a rigid structure inside (or in some cases, outside) of the windpipe to hold it open.

I recommend that owners of small dogs who frequently cough discuss collapsing trachea with their veterinarians. A good vet should be able to help come up with a comprehensive treatment plan to keep dogs breathing well.

Source: Dogster