Small Tracheas?

N

Noneeds4me

Forums Enthusiast
This topic came up underneath a different thread (Grooming), and I thought I'd post the question here to get more feedback. Are shelties commonly known for having small tracheas?
 
In my experience they don't. I have intubated quite a few shelties over the years and they generally have a trachea on avg. with others dogs their size and weight. We like to put in the biggest tube that will comfortablely fit and rarely I need to grab a smaller size. A size 7 to 8. Unlike say a bulldog and other mushed faced breeds that are known for having hypoplastic or small tracheas. Small tracheas tend to be part of the brachycephalic sydrome seen in push in faced breeds which causes the breathing issues in those breeds. I routinely put size 4 or 5 tubes in those guys

Just for comparsion most cats are size 4.

I have however, seen collapsing tracheas in shelties. Collaping trachea can be genetic or acquired due to some other condition such as trauma.
 
Justicemom said:
I have however, seen collapsing tracheas in shelties. Collaping trachea can be genetic or acquired due to some other condition such as trauma.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's scary, I wouldn't have thought that would be a problem that shelties had. A relative's young pug had to be put down last year because his trachea collapsed. Understandably, she was devastated. I was glad that wasn't a problem I'd ever have to deal with. I guess there's always that possibility!
 
dawns2shelties said:
What tests are done to diagnose a collapsed trachea?
Click to expand...


You can get a idea that they had it with physical exam but radiographs confirm it if you can see it.

The following site was actul radiographs of collapsing tracheas.

***WARNING***There are actual sx pictures at the bottom of the page so if you don't like seeing those type of things don't scroll down to the bottom of the page. The radiographs are on the top.

http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/TrachealCollapse/.
 
Justicemom said:
You can get a idea that they had it with physical exam but radiographs confirm it if you can see it.

The following site was actul radiographs of collapsing tracheas.

***WARNING***There are actual sx pictures at the bottom of the page so if you don't like seeing those type of things don't scroll down to the bottom of the page. The radiographs are on the top.

http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/TrachealCollapse/.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dr. Shelli that was very informative. I have brought this up in the past with my vet about Gypsy. She has always had that hacking cough,has it sometimes after drinking water and also if she pulls on her leash. I have just been told it isn't common in Shelties it's a toy breed thing. She also has some wheezing when breathing. I'm going to address it again with him.
 
dawns2shelties said:
Thanks Dr. Shelli that was very informative. I have brought this up in the past with my vet about Gypsy. She has always had that hacking cough,has it sometimes after drinking water and also if she pulls on her leash. I have just been told it isn't common in Shelties it's a toy breed thing. She also has some wheezing when breathing. I'm going to address it again with him.
Click to expand...

One must remember that Poms are behind the foundation of our breed. There is a Pom Subtype of sheltie. Incorrect by breed standards but we have it especially in the smaller shelties.
 
Dawn, Lady has had a strange cough every since we adopted her. Our first vet thought it might be a collapsing trachea, but our new vet could hear some fluid in her lungs and showed some on an x-ray too, so Lady's could be a result of either or both, I guess. Possibly congestive heart failure, although they want to do an echocardiograph before deciding for sure and treating her. The vet didn't catch anything with her trachea on the x-ray, but it won't show up unless it's actually in a collapsing state at the exact moment the x-ray is taken. She did try rubbing her throat though, and that didn't make her cough. She also wheezes when she walks around, and always seems to be panting, so that combined with the fluid and slightly enlarged heart, makes me lean towards a heart issue.

Still trying to save up some money for further tests, but it's breaking my heart in the meantime....I also really want to do a full blood panel because she shows so many signs of low thyroid....and she could really used a good dental too. I've been trying some creative options to try and get everything done that she needs, but all my ideas seem to be falling through.

Then again, she's my dog, and my responsibility. I just have such guilt over thinking there might be more I could do for her if I could afford it. Adopting a rescue is rewarding, but I've learned a really hard lesson about making sure you're financially prepared for the problems that come along with old mill dogs!

Happy Birthday, by the way!!! You're the best doggie mom ever!!!

-Chris
 
Talked to vet today

Yalls dogs seem to have the same symptoms as Lucy does the coughing weezing so on, one vet at the emergency clinic told me she may have to have surgery to insert plastic rings in her trechea because the cartilage is not strong enough to stay open on its own. I keep her out of the heat to avoid trauma and she has been a harness not leash dog since she was a puppy...but as many of you know shelties LOVE playing hard i feel horrible for keeping her in the house all day and just taking her on walks when i know she wants to run and herd all the squirrels in the neighborhood. how do you guys find i happy healthy medium of letting them play hard like they want but not letting them OVERdo it?
 
Justicemom said:
You can get a idea that they had it with physical exam but radiographs confirm it if you can see it.

The following site was actul radiographs of collapsing tracheas.

***WARNING***There are actual sx pictures at the bottom of the page so if you don't like seeing those type of things don't scroll down to the bottom of the page. The radiographs are on the top.

http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/TrachealCollapse/.
Click to expand...

That was a great link. Thanks for sharing it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top