Your dog’s trachea – the tube through which she breathes – is surrounded by thick rings of cartilage that help it stay open and functional. Some dogs have weakened rings that allow the tube to collapse, causing a honking cough and making it difficult to breathe.
In minor cases, veterinarians recommend weight loss and walking the dog on a harness. In more serious cases, medications for cough and inflammation may help.
And in the most extreme cases, a procedure called tracheal stenting is performed. In this surgery, a rigid stent is placed inside the windpipe to hold it open.
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