Severely affected dogs require hospitalization for cage rest, medication administration, and oxygen supplementation. Once the animal is stable, it can be sent home with drugs that can help alleviate the symptoms of tracheal collapse.
Common treatments include medications that suppress excessive coughing, open up the airways, reduce inflammation, fight off infection, and eliminate overabundant airway secretions. Obese dogs should be placed on an appropriate weight-reduction diet. Until the dog is stable, exercise should be very limited; afterwards, light activity can be resumed.
For those animals that fail to respond to medical treatment, there are surgical techniques that provide structural support for the trachea. It is possible to construct a prosthesis that wraps around the exterior of the trachea and holds the trachea open when it is sutured in place. Possible complications of this procedure include infection and necrosis (or death) of the trachea, which can lead to serious consequences. Consequently, an experienced veterinary surgeon should perform this highly specialized surgery.
