i think my little girl has a collapsing trachea : (

Question
hi trish.  have always loved your advice on here.  

i am going to take my pom into the vet soon because of her symptoms.  i only write to you because every yet i go to can't tell me much about pomeranians specifically.  for a long time she has made these strange "gagging" sounds.  the crazy thing is that i mentioned this to my ex vet and they didn't have much to say about it!
she is going to turn a year old next month...so she is very young.  very sad to think she has this problem! : (
it's not all the time.  i notice it happens mostly when she gets very excited.  sometimes when i come home and she greets me, she will make a gagging/snorting sound a few times then stops.

are these signs of a collapsing trachea?  what exactly do you look for, and what is the best way to treat it?  also, if it's not too much to ask - what causes it?

thank you trish! : )  

Answer
You didn't mention her age.

Your description sounds like collapsing trach... but I can't be sure without hearing it.  It is genetic and usually passed down from a parent or grandparent.

Here is a link with more information-
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dtrachea.html#Tracheal%20Collapse

and a link to other canine diseases-
http://www.nzymes.com/Articles/hereditary_congenital_diseases_in_dogs.htm

It is cuased by the cartiledge in the throat isn't firm enough so (just like sucking a milkshake through a straw) the harder they try to breath the more closed it gets-I have a guy with this condition-he is a neutered pet.  And the more exctied he gets the more he "honks" But if you learn how to calm your pup and try not to get them too excited or worked up some are ok.  Others are so severe they require surgery.  The strain in trying to breath during an episode can cause heart conditions so that is always something to be concerned with.

Best of luck.
Hope you find a vet able to help you out.  

xxoo
-Trish
www.geminipoms.com