What is Hole in the Trachea?
Tracheal perforation most often occurs due to external trauma or an internal injury and can range from a small tear to complete avulsion, in which case the trachea tears away.
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube made of cartilage that allows air to pass from the throat to the larynx to the bronchi in the lungs. When the trachea becomes perforated via a small hole or tear in the cartilage, the air that normally passes into the lungs goes into the surrounding tissues. This creates pockets of air under the skin, in the mediastinum (the area between the lungs), around the heart, in the chest cavity and in the posterior portion of the abdominal cavity.
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Symptoms of Hole in the Trachea in Cats
Symptoms typically appear immediately or within seven days of the injury or trauma. These symptoms include:
- Visible tissue damage to the neck and/or trachea
- Respiratory distress
- Breathing difficulties
- Rapid breathing
- Visible pockets of air under the skin
- "Crackling" sound when stroking cat's neck and back
- "Crowing" noise as the cat intakes air
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Aversion to exercise
- Gagging
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Excessive salivation
- Coughing
- Shock
Causes of Hole in the Trachea in Cats
Perforation of the trachea can either be caused by an internal injury or external trauma. Internal injuries most often happen during a separate medical procedure by the veterinarian (iatrogenic). These causes include:
- Accidental puncture while drawing blood
- Accidental puncture during neck surgery
- Traumatic intubation during use of a tracheostomy tube
- Administration of anesthesia
- During a transtracheal wash
External trauma to the trachea normally occurs as the result of an accident. These accidents include:
- Penetrating trauma from an arrow, gunshot
- Blunt trauma from a thrown rock or object
- Bite wounds
- Falling from a great height
- Vehicle accident
Diagnosis of Hole in the Trachea in Cats
The veterinarian will ask for the cat's health history, a list of noticeable symptoms, any recent accidents that occurred and a date when the symptoms first began. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat, feeling for air pockets and listening to the cat's breathing. Labs, which will include a complete blood count, a biochemical profile, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis, will be taken. These tests will help the veterinarian eliminate other conditions that could be causing the respiratory problems. An arterial blood gas analysis may also be performed. This test looks at the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. A pulse oximetry test will also be performed. Both tests will typically show low amounts of oxygen saturation.
Radiography is the best way to confirm a tracheal perforation. A side view X-ray of the chest and neck will show the air pockets and air collection under the skin, around the heart, in the chest cavity and in the mediastinum. An abdominal X-ray may show free air in the abdominal cavity. The trachea may appear narrowed and the site of the tear or hole may be visible.
A tracheoscopy may also be performed to visualize the trachea. During this procedure, the cat will be placed under general anesthesia while a small tube with an attached camera (endoscope) is placed into the cat's mouth and into the trachea. The tracheoscopy can help the veterinarian determine the extent of damage and the best course of treatment. As this procedure does carry the risk of furthering injuring the trachea, however, it is only recommended in some cases.
Treatment of Hole in the Trachea in Cats
Oxygen Therapy
The cat will need to be hospitalized and given oxygen via a nasal cannula or a face mask to increase its oxygen saturation levels. Oxygen therapy will be continued while other medical therapies are provided to the cat until the cat can get enough oxygen through its own breathing.
Fluid Therapy
Cats who are dehydrated will need to receive fluids intravenously in the hospital. The veterinarian will monitor the cat's fluid levels and its effects on the cat's heart to ensure it isn't being overly taxed.
Medication
The veterinarian will prescribe pain medications to keep the cat comfortable while it heals. An antibiotic may also be prescribed if a traumatic injury poses the risk of infection or as a preventive measure if surgery occurred.
Surgery
For external trauma or tracheal avulsion, surgery may need to occur. This is normally indicated if the cat's heart isn't able to maintain adequate circulation or if the cat isn't stabilized. During the surgery, part of the trachea will be removed and the trachea will be resected. The surgery poses the risk of infection. Because tracheal avulsion is a medical emergency that could result in sudden death, surgery must be done as soon as possible after the injury has occurred.
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Recovery of Hole in the Trachea in Cats
With prompt diagnosis and treatment, most cats recover completely after a minor tracheal perforation. Tracheal avulsions have a guarded prognosis. The cat will need to remain in a quiet, stress-free environment without young children or other animals while it recovers. The cat will need to follow up with the veterinarian to monitor healing with X-ray and physical exams.
Hole in the Trachea Average Cost
From 558 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,000
Average Cost
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Hole in the Trachea Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Kitten
6 weeks old
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
My two kittens or attacked by my pitbull gold double robotics road with medication for pain and want to use it last night and I said no can I sue him
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my response, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Since I cannot see your pet, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be causing this, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 13, 2020
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tabby
Toby
2 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Puncture
My cat got attacked by another cat a few hours ago. He has a small puncture wound on the underside of his jaw/neck area, I have seen one small bubble come out of it as well as a moderate amount of fluid. He is still eating and drinking but seems timid. We can’t take him to the vet as there is none where we are located. He is dirty so my mother wanted to try and wash him then wrap him in a towel and flush the wound with sterile salt water. We are not sure if the wound has penetrated the trachea. What would you suggest we do? Thank you for your time.
June 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
If he is eating and drinking and breathing normally, it isn't likely that the wound has punctured his trachea. If you notice that he is having any problems breathing, you will need to find a veterinarian, whether it is near to you or if you have to drive to get there. If you are able to keep the area clean and monitor it for infection, he may recover normally. If he stops eating and drinking, becomes lethargic, or is having trouble breathing, he will need to see a veterinarian.
June 12, 2018
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Orange tabby
Tiny
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Breathing Difficulty
Wheezing
Suffocation
Very Sudden Pain
Would there ever be a situation where the hole in the trachea could lead to very sudden suffocation to the point where the heart stops? The vet was really unsure as to what happened and they assumed it was something with the trachea after sending it to a radiologist, but they had only ever seen one case that was anything like it. They said it was best to put it down even though they were able to get his heart restarted, but reading this made me more confused. Most of this seems as though it would be a gradual change, nothing that would happen immediately like it did with my cat. He was playing minutes before everything happened and then suddenly couldn't breathe properly. Any thoughts? This has really been tearing me up because I feel like the vet gave us wrong advice.
Siamese
Nami
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
Subcutaneous Emphysema
I adopted my 10 year old female cat a weekish ago and she’s an absolute sweetheart, but it was soon apparent that during anesthesia the shelter provided to check to see if she was spayed, they nicked her trachea and a couple days later she developed subcutaneous emphysema. I’ve taken her to the vet and gotten X-rays done, and that seems to be the only major problem, but her front half is puffed up like a balloon. She’s still drinking and eating, and is still very affectionate, if a little wary of head pats. I was wondering where do I go from here? It doesn’t look comfortable to have that much air under her skin but is there anything other than oxygen therapy I can do other than keep her stress levels low and wait it out? At what point do I NEED to turn to oxygen therapy? I would like to avoid it if possible because I am quite low on funds because I wasn’t expecting this much problems. (Although I absolutely will do what’s necessary if it comes down to it)
Hole in the Trachea Average Cost
From 558 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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