Left untreated, the problem will only get worse.Ĭollapsing trachea doesn’t usually become a problem until the dog reaches middle age. At its most extreme, collapsing trachea makes breathing very difficult, resulting in severe distress and even fainting from lack of oxygen. The first symptom is typically a honking cough caused by restricted air flow, increased mucus, and inflammation in the trachea. The collapse may be on either end of the trachea, but is most common right where the trachea enters the chest. In some toy-breed dogs (especially Poodles, Pomeranians, Yorkies, and Chihuahuas), a hereditary structural defect can allow the trachea to collapse during panting or rapid breathing. Question: What product would you recommend for my small dog with a collapsed trachea?Īnswer: The trachea, or windpipe, carries air from the outside to the lungs.