Tracheal collapse

Re: Tracheal collapse

Tim Charlesworth — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 17:03:08 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

[quote user="Tim Charlesworth"]respond well to Lomotil [/quote]

Is this still on manufacturing outage?

[/quote]

I think that there are still probs getting hold of it which is a shame because it works when you can get it!

Re: Tracheal collapse

Rob Loxley — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:22:08 GMT

[quote user="Tim Charlesworth"]respond well to Lomotil [/quote]

Is this still on manufacturing outage?

Re: Tracheal collapse

John Flynn — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:07:39 GMT

[quote user="Tim Charlesworth"]I spoke to the manufacturers about this a while ago and they were very much of the opinion that this would not work (no oral absorption etc).[/quote]

They're wrong.

Trust me - you won't go back to crumbs of tablets if you try it.

I tend to recommend dose with food (eg 0.1ml as required); owners that have squirted straight into mouth say that works but sometimes go a bit wobbly which would lead me to suspect that there may be some oromucosal absorption if given via this route.

Re: Tracheal collapse

Tim Charlesworth — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:00:58 GMT

[quote user="John Flynn"]

[quote user="Tim Charlesworth"] I tend to use torbutrol tablets as an antitussive which you can get from the USA under a special import permit (production probs in the UK at the moment) but these can sedate dogs so not ideal long term and the tablet size means that YT's are often on 1/8 tablet (ie bit of dust) as needed.[/quote]

I use the liquid (injectable) version orally and find that much more convenient, also can adjust dose more accurately. Dose at same dose rate as tablets initially and then titrate down to lowest effective dose.

[/quote]

I spoke to the manufacturers about this a while ago and they were very much of the opinion that this would not work (no oral absorption etc). Not saying it doesn't work but just that the manufacturer's won't support you...

Re: Tracheal collapse

John Flynn — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:55:54 GMT

Re: Tracheal collapse

Tim Charlesworth — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:51:55 GMT

HI there, most dogs can and do respond to medical tx. Preds can be used as anti-inflammatory but are not ideal long term as will cause tachypnoea. Some dogs will respond well to Lomotil and this can help reduce mucus production. I tend to use torbutrol tablets as an antitussive which you can get from the USA under a special import permit (production probs in the UK at the moment) but these can sedate dogs so not ideal long term and the tablet size means that YT's are often on 1/8 tablet (ie bit of dust) as needed.

Inhaled steroids are good, inhaler bronchodilators can help if there is bronchial collapse but be careful as increasing airflow velocities can exacerbate the tracheal collapse and some dogs will decompensate with these (though stopping the ventolin should help).

Don't forget lifestyle management - the dog needs to be in a smoke-free household (and the owner smoking outside is not enough as residual smoke on clothes will cause a big problem). Dog's need to be lean/good body condition so diet if possible. Important to also rule out concurrent CHF.

Re Stenting - we do quite a few of these now. Most dogs do very well with approx 90% having "excellent outcomes" but this goes down to 70% if there is sig bronchial collapse. Stents are expensive but offer long term support and dogs often have an instant and sustained imrovement to their quality of life. We always exhaust medical options first but there is a growing argument for stenting earlier than they used to be (basically the longer you leave it the more tracheal metaplasia will develop which leads to long term loss of mucociliary function and predisposition to infection).

Tim

Re: Tracheal collapse

Andrew Kent — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 10:04:38 GMT

Which cough suppressants and which bronchodilators have you used?

Re: Tracheal collapse

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:42:47 GMT

Diazepam may help

Wynne

Re: Tracheal collapse

Aurelijus vet — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 08:25:06 GMT

cough suppressants, bronchodilators, corticosteroids (to control inflammation), and antibiotics.

Re: Tracheal collapse

Andrew Kent — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 07:43:19 GMT

Probably nothing very new unless stenting is an option?

What have you tried so far?

Andy