Surgical treatment of tracheal collapse in dogs: 90 cases (1983-1993).

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors associated with long-term outcome in dogs with tracheal collapse treated with extraluminal polypropylene C-shaped stents.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS

90 dogs.

PROCEDURE

Medical records of dogs with surgically treated tracheal collapse were reviewed. Follow-up was obtained either by recheck at the veterinary teaching hospital only (n = 10) or by telephone interviews with referring veterinarians and owners (n = 35), referring veterinarians alone (n = 23), or owners alone (n = 16). The chi 2 test was used to determine which factors were associated with long-term outcome.

RESULTS

11 breeds were represented. Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, and Pomeranians were most common. Median age at the time of surgery was 6.8 years. Median weight was 2.9 kg. Severity of collapse ranged from grade II to grade IV. Dogs < 6 years old had more severe collapse than did dogs > or = 6 years old. Dogs > or = years old had more postoperative complications and a poorer longterm outcome than did dogs < 6 years old. 17 dogs required permanent tracheostomy, 10 within 24 hours after surgery.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Surgical placement of extraluminal polypropylene C-shaped stents was an effective method of attenuating clinical signs of tracheal collapse. Dogs < 6 years old had more severe tracheal collapse but did better after surgery than did dogs > or = 6 years old.