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A tear or hole in the trachea is known more commonly as tracheal perforation or tracheal tear. This condition, at its worst, allows for air to get trapped in pockets under the skin, in the chest cavity and abdominal cavity, between the lungs, and in the sac around the heart. In those instances, surgery is more likely to occur. In more benign cases, small punctures and tears require very little attention from your dog’s medical staff, though it’s always a good idea to have your animal companion checked by a medical profession.
A hole in the trachea in dogs is a condition caused by trauma or injury. It is, in some cases, self-healing. More serious cases may require surgical intervention.
Tracheal Perforation Average Cost
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Average Cost
$3,500
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Since tracheal perforation is caused by injury, any of the following symptoms may become apparent immediately following trauma and up to 14 days later:
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There are a number of things that can cause a hole in the trachea in dogs, including:
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The path to diagnosis begins with a physical examination during which your veterinarian will look for tenderness in the neck region of your dog and any visible wounds. Your doctor will also listen to your dog’s lungs and heart, and check for air pockets under your dog’s coat if a hole in the trachea is suspected.
A variety of medical tests are used to confirm diagnosis, such as:
A positive diagnosis is generally confirmed with a combination of X-rays and, if needed, tracheoscopy, though the latter is less common as it can cause further injury and inflammation to the trachea.
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Treatment varies widely, of course, depending on the extent of the injury and general health of the dog. Possible treatments include:
Most dogs will be given a prescription strength pain medication and, if an infection is present, a course of antibiotics. Most trapped air under the skin will be reabsorbed without intervention though large pockets of air or those that do not heal on their own may require a tubal drain system to be implanted under the skin.
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Follow-up appointments are a requirement for this type of injury if your dog has had a surgical procedure performed. Your doctor will want to see your dog several times post-surgery to watch for signs of infection and monitor healing.
Dogs with minor injuries that heal on their own may require one follow-up visit though your veterinarian will decide that your dog’s course of treatment.
Dogs should be prohibited from exercising for at least 7 to 10 days following treatment.
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Since the severity of this condition varies widely and, in many cases, spontaneously heals on its own, the costs associated with treatment vary widely. Average costs run from $78 to $3,880, including office visits, medications, and surgery.
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Tracheal Perforation Average Cost
From 5 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $8,000
Average Cost
$3,500
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Ask a Vet
German Shepard Rott mix
Two Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog is coughing and hacking like she has a fur ball in her throat but nothing comes up , when she eats it sounds like she’s straining to breathe and chokes constantly . This started about 2 days ago .
Aug. 28, 2020
Owner
Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello- Thank you for your question. It would be best to have her evaluated by your veterinarian if she is coughing frequently. It could be something very simple such as an upper respiratory tract infection, but there are more serious causes of coughing including heart disease, heartworms, pneumonia, or foreign bodies in the respiratory tract. Your veterinarian will be able to evaluate her and decide if x-rays are needed to rule out a more serious cause. Your veterinarian can then provide appropriate treatment. I hope she recovers quickly.
Aug. 28, 2020
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Chihuahua
1 1/2
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
See above
Aug. 8, 2020
Owner
Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
So sorry to hear about your dog. This can be many different things. Without being able to examine your dog it is very hard to tell. There are many respiratory and neurological issues that chihuahuas can have that would cause these issues. Your vet would be able to examine your dog and figure out exactly what is causing her issues. I hope your dog starts to improve soon.
Aug. 11, 2020
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miniature collie
6 months
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog was chewing on a stick and got it stuck in his throat a second and my vet said he thinks it could be a trachea tear and to continue to monitor him and it should heal on its own but he coughs and spits up phlegm when he tries to drink and won’t eat all of which I told my vet does this sound like a trachea issue? how long will it take to heal?
July 8, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
I'm sorry that happened to your dog. It is possible that there was a tear in the trachea or the esophagus. It can take some time for those tissues to heal. It may help in the meantime to feed soft food, and if he actually isn't on any medications, pain medications and antibiotics might help. Those are things that you can talk to your veterinarian about. They also can give you a better idea of the time frame to expect for healing, as they are able to see your dog. I hope that all goes well.
July 9, 2020
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teacup collie
5 months
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My puppy got ahold of a stick and lodged it in his throat my vet said it may be a tracheal problem and to just monitor him he doesn’t eat and barely drinks because he spits up phlegm and coughs when he tries and lays around and isn’t active all of which i told my vet is it likely he damaged his trachea? How long does a trachea wound take to heal?
July 8, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
I'm sorry that happened to your dog. It is possible that there was a tear in the trachea or the esophagus. It can take some time for those tissues to heal. It may help in the meantime to feed soft food, and if he actually isn't on any medications, pain medications and antibiotics might help. Those are things that you can talk to your veterinarian about. They also can give you a better idea of the time frame to expect for healing, as they are able to see your dog. I hope that all goes well.
July 9, 2020
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Roo
Chihuahua Terrier mix
15 Weeks
Serious severity
2 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
My 7lb puppy was bitten by our old grumpy dog and now she is quite literally "full of air" from her head to the middle of her torso. The vet sent her home with some antibiotics and said that the air under her skin will go away, but, since we saw him, its gotten a lot worse. I don't know what to do😭
Aug. 1, 2018
Roo's Owner
2 Recommendations
Air will keep accumulating under the skin whilst the defect in the trachea is present, small injuries may be left to heal on their own; larger injuries may require surgical intervention. It can looks scary but with time the air under the skin will disappear but you should return to your Veterinarian if the swelling from the air is causing an issue especially with breathing. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 1, 2018
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Panda
Pit bull
3 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
My three month puppy took a spill down the steps of my apartment. I didn’t see how it happen but I think she took a blow to her throat. She was walking with a limp for a couple of days. Now she’s fine doing everything a puppy her age does. She’s a quiet dog so I didn’t know if something was off with her voice box. This is my first dog. That was I think four weeks ago. She doesn’t seem to be in any kind of pain but sometimes she breathes more heavily and kind of pause when chewing on her toys. Plus before that happened she pulls a lot on her leash.
Orson
Border Collie
3 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My 3 year old border collie had tplo surgery 3 days ago and since the surgery he’s been huffing, swallowing a lot, having a hard time drinking water with out coughing, there’s a gurgling in his throat area that sounds like gas, he’s drooling and can’t get comfortable. I suspect a tracheal perforation from the intubation during the surgery. Does this sound accurate? And if so, what is the best course of action going forward. He’s still eating and going to the bathroom normally but I’m still worried. How long does a perforation mormally take to heal?
Nella
Dachshund
3 Years
Fair severity
1 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
My 3 yr old dachshund was frightened by a bigger dog and pulled so hard on her lead running away that she broke it. Since then she has been gagging often and regurgitating her food hours after eating. Could she have damaged her trachea?
Tracheal Perforation Average Cost
From 5 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $8,000
Average Cost
$3,500
Protect yourself and your pet. Compare top pet insurance plans.
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