Out in the wilds that are the internet, there’s a buzzing concern around trachea when it comes to dog training. Online breed profiles will warn of the risk of collapsed trachea in specific breeds, amateur dog trainers will rant for hours about it, and strangers will warn how it’s dangerous to attach a leash to anything on a dog’s neck because of the risk of trachea collapse.
The truth is that the tools are rarely the cause of this condition. In actuality, a collapsed trachea in dogs is a medical disorder that is thought of to be genetic in nature, and more importantly, congenital (present from birth).
Collapsed trachea is, however, a dangerous and very real progressive disorder that can become life-threatening with the passage of time. Meaning, if you are concerned about your dog or see any indication of tracheal collapse, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.
The Trachea Anatomy of a Dog
When we use the word “trachea,” understand that that is simply not interchangeable with the word “throat.”
Similarly, the term “Collapsed Trachea” does not mean that there is something wrong with the throat. So before jumping to the main point, it really is kind of essential to understand the anatomy of the respiratory system of dogs.
The respiratory system of a dog consists of the following organs:
- Nose: the external part that most people are familiar with
- Pharynx: Present just behind the tongue and nose and connects the nose with the larynx.
- Larynx: Just behind the tongue and soft palate, and it connects with the pharynx from one side and the trachea from the other side. It is also called a voice box. It also prevents the food particles from entering into the trachea while eating.
- Trachea: Also called the windpipe. It is a long tube-like structure that goes deep in the chest, starting from the larynx. It has C-shaped cartilage rings throughout its length that help maintain its shape and keep it turgid during respiration. The open end of cartilage rings is faced upward and covered by a thick membrane that connects the free ends of the ring.
- Bronchi: Just before entering the lungs, the trachea splits into two tubes, termed as right and left bronchi, which each enter in their respective lungs.
- Alveoli: The bronchi enter the lungs and end up in a very small structure called alveoli, where actual gaseous exchange occurs.
As you can see from the included list, the respiratory structure of a dog’s neck and chest is a lot more complex than the trachea. What’s more is that, when it comes right down to anatomy, only the pharynx and larynx are actually located in the dog’s throat.
The trachea itself actually starts from the base of the throat. About half of the trachea is located in the neck, while the other half of the trachea is in the chest.
Can A Collar Damage a Dog’s Throat?
From this explanation, it’s very easy to see that the myths around training tools like flat collars, slip leads, martingale collars, and prong collars and their association with tracheal collapse is largely just fearmongering. Even moreso is the fear around the “high and tight” collar position common in slip leads and prong collars, as keeping the tool high actually prevents any pressure at all from coming in contact with the treachea.
There is no reason that use of well-fitted tools like flat collars, slip leads, and prong collars should pose any additional risk of tracheal collapse to an already healthy dog. This is especially true of use of these tools in pressure-and-release type training, as this type of training inevitably results in less pressure on the dog over time.
In fact, based on the actual anatomy of the canine respiratory system, there is more harm to be done with some types of harnesses (specifically, those that strap and put pressure in the front of the dog’s chest or very low on the neck) than a well-fitted training collar.
While no training tool on its own can cause the collapsed trachea condition, it can still be helpful to be cautious if your dog does show signs of a collapsed trachea or tracheal weakness, like signs of discomfort or a honking cough. If you’re suspicious that your dog may be predisposed for tracheal issues, see your veterinarian immediately.
Understand, however, that tools that sit high up on the dog’s neck, like a prong collar or a slip lead, pose virtually no risk to damaging the dog’s trachea at all, as these tools specifically will not even make contact with the general area.
“High and tight” training tools, especially tools that help you put less pressure on the dog over time and train them effectively to pull less (or not at all), are actually among the safest tools for dogs when it comes to the risk of collapsed trachea.
That said, understanding what a collapsed trachea is is just as important as understanding what it isn’t. While you can rest assured that your slip lead is not the culprit if you’re concerned about your dog’s respiratory health, there are things you can look out for if collapsed trachea is at all a concern.
What Is Collapsed Trachea?
From the above explanation, we know that the cartilage rings in the trachea absorb the air pressure during inspiration and expiration. It’s also these rings that serve to maintain the shape of the trachea.
If these cartilage rings become weak and lose their strength and rigidity, or if the membrane loses its elasticity, the rings will become flat during the process of respiration, making it difficult for air to travel (inward or outward), leading to the cough or respiratory distress.
This is what is referred to as “Collapsed Trachea” or “Tracheal Collapse.”
In short, collapsed trachea is a weakening and softening of the cartilage in the trachea, which causes restrictions in the airway.
Levels or Grades of Tracheal Collapse in Dogs
According to the severity of the condition, it is divided into four levels.
• Level 1: 25 % decrease in the lumen (internal diameter) of the trachea.
• Level 2: 50% decrease in the lumen (internal diameter) of the trachea.
• Level 3: 75% decrease in the lumen (internal diameter) of the trachea.
• Level 4: complete obstruction of the tracheal duct.
What Causes Collapsed Trachea in dogs?
The exact cause of collapsed trachea in dogs is actually unknown; however, experts believe it is a congenital condition, which means dogs that develop this condition are born with weak cartilage rings or fewer rings. Meaning, this is not an issue of tools damaging healthy dogs, but a genetic condition that worsens with time.
Although all dogs can develop this condition, some breeds (especially toy breeds) have more chance to develop this condition. Dog breeds that experience tracheal collapse more frequently include:
• Pugs
• Yorkshire terriers
• Toy poodles
• Shih Tzu’s
• Pomeranians
• Lhasa Apsos
• Chihuahuas
Other Risk Factors for Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
We have discussed the major factors above. However, there are some other factors that can increase the chances of the onset of this issue if present.
Other risk factors include:
• Obesity
• Heart diseases
• Cushing’s disease
• Exposure to cigarette smoke
• Chronic respiratory diseases
Dogs of all age groups can develop this condition, however, the collapsed trachea is mostly seen in middle-aged and senior dogs (age between 4-14 years).
The most evident indication of a collapsed trachea would be the honking cough; however, your doctor will have to conduct a thorough physical exam and specific tests to rule out any other underlying issues. When evaluating, your veterinarian may ask for:
• Chest x-rays
• Fluoroscopy (a moving x-ray that is taken while the dog breathes)
• Bronchoscopy (inserting tubes with camera in the airway)
• Blood tests
The prognosis is medium. It is vital to understand that a collapsed trachea is an incurable and ongoing condition since the cartilage in the trachea will deteriorate continuously over time, regardless of treatment. Even dogs that undergo surgery to treat the condition usually require medication for the rest of their lives.
When it comes to training tools for dogs that are actually diagnosed with this condition, going with the advice of your veterinarian is also going to be the best course of action.
