CT is an anatomy problem, there is no cure. The windpipe actually is narrowed in an area. There is medicine to help control it and there is radical surgery that may help for when the condition is critical and depending on have far down the narrowing is in the neck/chest area. Weight is a huge issue in relieving the symptoms, if the dog is heavy, the fat pushes in on the windpipe. The CT is like a straw you suck one end and and stop the other end with your finger and the straw flattens and nothing passes. When this happens, the dog coughs and that can trigger more excitement which will perpetuate the episode--some may even pass out from lack of air. Also look for blue gums indicating lack of air in bad episodes. CT episodes usually come on when the dog is excited/breathing heavy or from drinking cold water causing a tickle that starts a cough and gets the pet anxious.
Usually their symptoms come on later in life, but my pup showed it at 3 years old.
Allergies can also bring on the CT cough more.
We are lucky, our friend is our vet and she takes wonderful care of our animals...
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Maureen
Long Island, NY & Davenport Fl (part-time) |