Many people have had the not so pleasant experience of having the wind knocked out of them, which collapses the lungs. Although the air may have been knocked out for a moment, the outside force is gone, and soon the lungs recover and can take in air once again. But what happens when the problem is in the inside?

In many common dog breeds such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, terriers, and poodles the air can be prevented from entering the body due to a collapse of the trachea or wind pipe. The trachea has the common job of transporting oxygen from the mouth and nose to the bronchi located in the lungs. They also aid in the passageway to eliminate carbon dioxide from our bodies. When the trachea collapses the body is no longer able to take in air or release the carbon dioxide, leaving the dog in a suffocation state. A collapsed trachea can be caused by a nutritional imbalance, respiratory disease, deformity at birth, a disease of the airways, and obesity. Diagnositc imaging of the wind pipe is the most accurate test for detecting a collapsed wind pipe. X-rays of the chest, throat, and mouth will be first taken in order to find the problem. In some cases, these images may not show the abnormality; therefore, another tool becomes necessary. A small, tubular device with a camera called a bronchoscope is used to look at the inner portions of the throat and mouth. With it, the veterinarian can easily view the wind pipe without causing harm to the pet. Following the is likely to draw the blood of the pet for testing. In most respiratory complications, white blood cells will be elevated and tests must be conducted.Treatment of a collapsed windpipe primarily involves use of cough suppressants and muscle relaxers for the throat. The veterinarian will decide if further treatment options are necessary to reverse the problem. In some cases, a tube may be surgically placed to prevent further collapse of the throat.