Collapsing Trachea

Collapsed trachea (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)

Tracheal collapse (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)

Occurs principally in
- Horses - small ponies
- Dogs - miniature and toy breeds eg: miniature Yorkshire terriers
- Also cattle and goats
Degeneration of tracheal ring cartilage and replacement with fibrous tissue results in reduced tracheal ring stiffness
Flattening of the trachea dorsoventrally and widening of the dorsal membrane results in reduced airway diameter
Airway diameter is further reduced by thickening of the dorsal membrane
The dorsal membrane can become thickened with repeated low grade trauma/chronic tracheitis
Can be segmental and extrathoracic or intrathoracic
Extrathoracic collapse:
- Inspiratory dyspnoea
- Dorsal membrane prolapses into the lumen on inspiration, bulges out on expiration
Intrathoracic collapse
- Expiratory dyspnoea
- Dorsal membrane prolapses into the lumen on expiration, bulges out on inspiration
- Some dogs exhibit a characteristic "goose-honk" cough

Test yourself with the Trachea Pathology Flashcards