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Australian Shepherd With Collapsed Trachea

by Mary
(Cypress, TX)

Does anyone have an Aussie diagnosed with a collapsed trachea? My Aussie is only 1 1/2 and was just diagnosed. If so, how old is your dog? How are you treating this condition? I thought this was only common in small breed dogs however this could be congenital.

Comments for Australian Shepherd With Collapsed Trachea

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Trachea collapse
by: Renee van der KnaapAnonymous

My aussie has this condition. In the beginning it was acceptable but now he is almost 13 years and this last year is hard for him. There is not much you can do. He gets some medication for his coughing but than he gets constipated so he needs fibres in his food. It is hard to see when it looks like he has something in his throat but cant get it out, It is hard for him. But as long as he eats, wants to go for a walk etc I will keep him. When I think : this is no quality for life anymore I will let him go. But he has had it his whole life and only the last 2 years it is worse.
Good luck with your aussie.
Renee van der Knaap (HOLLAND)

Going strong at 7-1/2
by: Anonymous

My Aussie was diagnosed with this since she was a year old, she is now 7-1/2. She can go days without coughing and then it seems something triggers it. She is extremely active. Runs daily with my other Aussie age 6-1/2 and her cousin Aussie, nearly 3. It has not slowed her a bit. She is tiny, only 40 lbs but all muscle and energy. She has a great appetite.

Where did you get your dog?
by: Anonymous

Hi, I am just curious about where you got your dog? I also have a Mini Australian Shepard with tracheal collapse and she came from Stamford, TX.

potential collapsed trachea
by: Adrienne

I have a 4-month-old Mini Aussie that has had a hacking cough since the day I got her. She now has about 10-15 episodes a day. She has been checked for everything and no other diagnosis. The breeder said that two other puppies from the same litter had a cough as well but with a combination of meds, the hacking subsided.

I am sick that this puppy will have to live with this. I am going to do everything I can to resolve/treat it but as you know, Aussie's just want to have fun. I am insisting that the vet do a scope of some sort to formally diagnose.

Mad and sad.

Aussie Shepherd With Trachea Problems
by: Heather

I have two Mini Aussie's from two different provinces in British Columbia. Both have this problem. I have tried everything, except the stint surgery, with no luck. Sounds like this is a breed issue.

Bella at 15+
by: Paul

Our red merle female named Bella has this problem. She is now 15 and she has about that number okd coughing episodes a day. She is fit and has no other problems. We are trying slippery elm in her food but otherwise we don't really know what to do for her without the invasive surgery. I think she could live forever if it were not for this trachea problem. It is obviously inherited from seeing so many posts about Aussies all over the internet. I just want her quality of life to improve and she then can get the enjoyment without a cough. She still loves walks and will play fetch with a ball. Bella is incredible! Paul, Savannah, GA.

2 year old aussie
by: Anonymous

My dog started coughing a lot and we took him to urgent care and based on x ray they believe it is Tracheal collapse. But they said to get more tests because it is hard to know just based on x ray but they are positive. They say it is common in toy breeds like yorkie and others but I’m not sure how the mini aussie can have it then. Did it become hard everyday one diagnosed for your dog? As in did they live easily for years? What are things you did to help them if any?

Collapsed trachea
by: Anonymous

My mini Aussie is almost 2 and was diagnosed with a collapsed trachea he would constantly cough and choke until he threw up it’s scary he never had symptoms until he was a year. vet said it was congenital. he was the runt of his litter so I guess he was prone to it. I recommend minimal exercise like a small walk to keep him from over exerting himself and keep him calm. mine gets so excited to see people that he makes himself choke. and use a harness when walking him. don’t attach a leash to his collar.

Full size common Aussie with suspected Collapsed Trachea
by: Anonymously m

I see here most of these are "Mini" Aussies. I can see how they may possibly have this genetic condition having been breed down for size and some lines using the Australian terrier. I don’t see any here with a large full size Aussie. We have a full size Aussie approaching a 1 1/2 and she just developed this what they think it is. So sweet a girl we find ourselves asking why our girl if it’s mostly specific to small toy breeds. Sing

Recent diagnosis
by: Anonymous

My Mini Aussie was diagnosed yesterday at the age of 9, however he has had these horrible coughing spells for his whole life very intermittent (maybe once every 3-4 months) and lasting about 3-4 days, then back to normal. This time the spell had gone for over a week so I decided to take him in to get to the root of what is happening. My dog is a trail dog and will run 10-12 miles on trail 3-4 times a week. I’m worried about taking him on trail now as he ages. He really loves to go!

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