Tracheitis in Dogs

Tracheitis is inflammation of the trachea that our dogs can suffer from due to different causes. This condition produces a series of symptoms worth learning to identify so we can see the vet as soon as possible.

An early diagnosis will let us tackle this condition in time, avoiding complications that could worsen the picture and make recovery harder. Below, we'll also find out which treatment is most recommended.

What Causes Tracheitis in Dogs?

Tracheitis involves inflammation of the trachea, the tube leading to the lungs after the pharynx and larynx. This inflammation can have both infectious and non-infectious causes. Among the first, we can find viruses such as herpes or bacteria such as Bordetella.

Non-infectious causes are quite varied, ranging from irritation to allergies, as well as coughing, eating a bone or any object with sharp edges, or getting chilled, etc. If our dog has just had surgery and been intubated for anesthesia, it can develop tracheitis from the effect of the tube on its throat.

The trachea is a very sensitive area of the dog. We can confirm this by running our hand along it. The dog, bothered, will swallow. That's why rubbing the trachea helps when giving it a pill. So, if it pulls hard when we walk it with a collar and leash, or barks a lot, the trachea will end up affected. Excessive pulling and barking are other causes of tracheitis.

What Are the Symptoms of Canine Tracheitis?

The characteristic sign of tracheitis is, without a doubt, coughing. In addition, the typical tracheitis cough is dry. In some cases, the mechanism producing this cough can even cause nausea and vomiting. This could confuse us into thinking the dog is having some kind of digestive system disorder.

In some dogs with tracheitis, we may notice they're more tired but, at the same time, seem restless, as if bothered. In those with complications, we may see other symptoms, since the lungs could be affected.

How Is Tracheitis Treated in a Dog?

If the tracheitis is due to a non-infectious cause, it may resolve on its own once the dog stops having contact with the trigger, which may also need to be identified. On the other hand, an infectious cause will require veterinary treatment, since it could become complicated to the point of causing pneumonia.

Treatment, if needed, focuses on preventing coughing. Tracheitis causes coughing due to the inflamed trachea, and at the same time, the coughing irritates the trachea further. So, breaking this cycle will be essential for recovery. For this, the vet will prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or cough suppressants, depending on the case.

Treatment at Home

Besides the medications the vet has prescribed, it's possible to put measures in place to complement treatment. We can follow all of these at home to support recovery and improve the dog's condition. We'd highlight the following:

• Since it's uncomfortable in the trachea and coughs often, the dog may have trouble eating, even if it's hungry and approaches its bowl normally. We can help by offering wet or soft food. We can buy this or make it ourselves at home.
• It's better to use a harness instead of a collar during walks to prevent friction on the inflamed area, at least while the cough continues.
• It's not recommended to offer bones or hard food during the recovery process. They could damage a trachea that's already weakened.
• We need to avoid any kind of chill as much as possible, since cold dries out the mucous membranes, and this triggers more coughing.
• If we live in a dry environment, it would be a good idea to use humidifiers precisely to prevent it from drying out further, for the reason mentioned in the previous point.
• We also need to be careful about potential tracheal irritants such as smoke, dust, or perfumes. We should prevent the dog from coming into contact with any of these.

What Does Tracheitis Have to Do With the Heart?

Dogs can suffer from heart diseases that include coughing among their symptoms. This usually happens because failures in this organ's function affect blood circulation and eventually cause fluid to build up in the lungs. This makes the dog cough.

Since these diseases affect older dogs more, if this is the case for ours and we hear it coughing, the recommendation is to see the vet as soon as possible. If we let a cough go by thinking it's mild tracheitis, we could be leaving a heart condition untreated.

With just a listen through a stethoscope, the vet will be able to assess the heart's condition, although, if in doubt, X-rays or ultrasounds will be needed. These tests will let us find out where the cough is coming from and, that way, tailor treatment accordingly.

Bibliography

Carlson and Giffin (2002): Manual práctico de veterinaria canina. Madrid: Editorial el Drac.