Benadryl for Tracheal Collapse?

While Benadryl may help to reduce your dog’s cough in the short term, it is not a solution for dogs with tracheal collapse. Giving a dog Benadryl for an extended period is not recommended. There are better canine cough medicines that would better manage a cough caused by a collapsing trachea.

What is Benadryl used for in dogs?

Benadryl is a common short-term medication for both dogs and cats. This medication is for human use, however, in small doses, it is safe for dogs. Benadryl is an antihistamine, meaning it targets inflammation caused by irritants or allergic reactions.

How does a collapsed trachea affect my dog?

In addition to cough and respiratory distress, dogs with tracheal collapse may have episodes of fainting (syncope) due to a temporary lack of oxygen. Repeated episodes of fainting can lead to permanent brain damage.

Does honey help dogs with collapsed trachea?

You can give your dog a tsp of honey per day (1tbsp for larger dogs). Licking straight off the spoon is fine or you can pour it over their normal food.

Honey has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for all kinds of illnesses. It has lots of beneficial properties such as antioxidants to boost the immune system. The thickness of the honey helps to coat the throat, forming a protective barrier and soothing the mucous membranes that have become irritated.

Is a humidifier good for dogs with collapsed trachea?

Yes, a humidifier is good for dogs with collapsed trachea. A humidifier will help to keep the dog’s throat moist, which can make breathing easier. A humidifier can also help to prevent inflammation of the trachea and larynx.

What can be done for a collapsing trachea in dogs?

Depending on the severity of the collapse, a tracheal collapse will most commonly be treated with a cough suppressant. Your dog will get a prescription for a corticosteroid or a bronchodilator that will help ease the pressure in your dog’s airway. These can help ease the irritation in your dog’s throat and will help prevent any future damage to your dog’s trachea.

If these treatments do not work or your dog’s tracheal collapse is more severe, your veterinarian may suggest surgery for your dog. This surgery places prosthetic rings around your dog’s trachea that are meant to help support the airway and keep it open for easy breathing.

The surgery has around a 75% success rate in previously healthy dogs. If your dog is over six years old, it may have a much lower success rate in surgery. This is a highly specialized surgery that will not be done everywhere and may be costly.

In most cases, tracheal collapse can not be prevented. The ailment is based on poor genetics that results in weak cartilage around the trachea. In these situations, the trachea will collapse on its own without much excessive external force.

You can lower the risk of tracheal collapse in your dog by using a body harness instead of a traditional collar. Collars can put excessive pressure on a dog’s neck that could result in damage to the trachea. If you frequently take your dog on walks, a harness will keep them secured to the leash and distribute the pressure through the dog’s abdomen rather than its neck.

If you have smaller dogs, it is also important to supervise them when around bigger dogs or children. The slightest force from a bigger animal can cause an already comprised trachea to collapse.

How can I treat my dog’s collapsed trachea at home?

Treating a collapsed trachea in a dog is often done by the veterinarian and depends upon how severe the condition is. Some dogs will require surgery, while others may be treated without it. There are things that can be done at home to treat a dog’s collapsed trachea, but they should only be done under the guidance of a vet.

The first thing that should be done when a dog has been diagnosed with a collapsed trachea is to make sure that the dog does not gain any more weight. However, if the dog is already overweight, then he should lose some weight to take some strain off of his trachea. The vet can recommend an appropriate diet for the dog to follow and should do regular weigh-ins to make sure that the dog is losing weight in a healthy way.

Another way to help treat a collapsed trachea at home is by giving your dog cough suppressants. These medications work by suppressing your pet’s cough reflex so that he will not continue to cough as much. Coughing makes the trachea collapse even more which can lead to more coughing. It is a vicious cycle and giving your pet cough suppressants can help.

Prevent overexcitement. Excitement puts dogs into an increased respiratory state and makes them more prone to coughing and other symptoms of the condition. It’s important to eliminate situations that could cause excitement, such as playing fetch or letting another aggressive dog come too close.