Influence of obesity on the clinical improvement of tracheal and bronchial collapse in dogs: a case report

Abstract

Tracheal collapse is the most common progressive affection of the anterior pathways in small animals. The most common clinical symptom is a “goose honk” cough in cases of tracheal collapse and inspiratory discomfort in cases of cervical collapse. The diagnosis is based on the history, physical examination, and imaging tests, notably chest radiography and endoscopic examination. Treatment can be clinical or surgical depending on the degree of collapse. Obesity currently affects several domestic animals and predisposes them to respiratory disorders. The overlapping adipose tissue presses on the muscles of the trachea, aggravating the collapse and influencing the lung compliance and expansion. The present report describes the clinical improvement in an obese canine with tracheal and bronchial collapse after clinical management and therapeutic ration.