Stent Surgery for a Collapsed Trachea
 

I just joined YorkieTalk today and am hoping to get some help, feedback, on a surgery that has been recommeded for our 8 year old Yorkie, Tuffy. Tuffy had surgery 2 years ago for a collapsed trachea in his throat area after medication failed to help. Rings were put around his trachea, the surgery went fine and he has been great for the last 2 years. However, a couple of weeks ago, he began "honking" and choaking for breath like he had done in 2006. We went back to the surgeon who had done the 2006 surgery and had a florascope done which showed that his trachea is collapsed again. The ring surgery is still doing fine but the collapse now is in the chest area of the trachea where another ring surgery is not an option. She put him on allergy, cough, and antiboitic medication which is working as long as he doesn't get excited at all which is hard to do with an active little guy. His breathing is labored but no coughing or honking. She told us that there is a new surgery that is being done at a couple of universities in the US (U of Penn and Texas A&M) that can be done in the chest area of the trachea where stents are inserted to hold the trachea open. I have read what I can find on the internet about this surgery and would like to have any help you can give me if any of you have had personal experience with this kind of stent surgery. This is so scary and we want to make sure we do the right thing.

Prayers for you and your baby. I hope others on here have advice or experiences to share with you.

Hi there and welcome to YT.. I am sorry your little one has to go through all of this. Hopefully someone on here can help you. :aimeeyork

My sweeheart has the same condition
 

I just posted about my Oliver having trachea problems as well. he is at the Univ. of Penn hospital this wkend for observation and treatment. We will find out if stent surgery is an option on Monday.

I will let you know any info that we receive. It's a nightmare, isn't it?

Praying for your baby, Oliver
 

Nightmare? Yes, and we're living with it everyday since we haven't decided to get the surgery yet. Tuffy was on medication -- alergy meds and antibiotics to start which helped and we have cough suppresent if he gets "honking" again. He has done very well for the last couple of months but when he gets excited, he chokes for air. It breaks my heart to see him hurting.
Please let me know what you learn at U of Penn and how your baby does.

I haven't personally had experience with this surgery. However, stents are used in many places with great success. This is what they use for cardiac vessels, peripheral vessels - and even to repair the ureter - so stents really are used every where with great reliability. :)

I lost my 6 1.2 year old Gracie 12 years ago from CT complications. At the time I researched Texas A& M as my vet said they had done a study on CT in small animals. AFter consulting with them and getting their opinions we opted not to do surgery as hers was collapsed in the thoracic area and they did not atthat time recommend she have the surgery. I am glad they have made advances in the surgery and can now help the collapse in that area. I will keep both your babies in my prayers. I know the nightmare you are going through.

What a tough decision. My thoughts are with both of you and your furbabies.

Hi,

I did write a response on the sick pet forum but I tell you also. Oliver did well with the procedure and came home the same day. He was in the ICU for the wkend and that was scary for us. On Sunday evening they said that an x ray showed some mass in his airway and gave us all these options. It turned out to be built up cartilage where his collapse was. close to his throat. We heard there would be more problems if the collapse was at the lower end. He was fortunate in that respect.
I know it's way too early to recommend the procedure since there are risks like dislodgement or infection but at this early stage I 'm glad we did it. He gives him a chance.
I wish we had done the floroscopy sooner. With that procedure your sweety needs to be sedated but at least you know exactly what is going on.
Just research carefully the doctor you choose. They say its so important.
I'll keep in touch. Best wishes.