Collapsing trachea in a Pomeranian

Squeek, a 3 year-old intact male Pomeranian, presented to the Soft Tissue Surgery Service at Cornell for evaluation of a collapsing trachea. He had thoracic radiographs performed at his referring veterinarian (rDVM) diagnosing a collapsing trachea. Attempts at medical management had failed resulting in an acute worsening of signs. He had a chronic loud honking cough as well as exhibited exercise intolerance and wheezing while sleeping. Over the past three weeks prior to presentation his condition had began to negatively affect his quality of life. Upon presentation the diagnoses of a collapsing trachea was confirmed with fluoroscopy and localized to the segment of trachea extending from the mid-cervical region to the first intercostal space. Concurrent disease was ruled out with thoracic radiographs and direct visualization of the trachea with tracheoscopy. Surgical correction was performed by application of prosthetic trachea rings. Squeek developed several post-surgical complications including bilateral laryngeal paralysis and aspiration pneumonia, which were successfully treated prior to discharge