I think my dog has a tracheal collapse. He (pic related) is a 13yo Pomeranian X unknown (pound pup). He has had for a while but as he has gotten older I think it's gotten a little bit worse. It usually only occurs when he gets excited or when he gets up from lying down for a while, akin to an old man's cough. But in recent weeks sometimes he'll be trotting around and have to take a moment to cough like there's something caught in his throat.
Is there anything specific I can do to help him? I would rather not put him through surgery as he is older but are there dietary things or something else that can help him out?
Though a vet should be able to tell you what's wrong with him, chances are they'll just tell you they need to open him up for ten minutes so they can charge you $7,000.
It's a pomeranian genetic trait. If he's overweight, that'll make it more severe. Good exercise also helps, but generally nothing will actually solve it.
13 is about the point where shit goes south for poms. Mine got hit by hip dysplasia, collapsing throat, and enlarged heart all at once. It was stupid expense keeping him alive, but we did it for a few years longer.
>>2151860
> Think
Stop playing Dr google, take your dog to a vets. A cough could be anything from an infection to heart failure.
>>2151860
Looks like old woof woof is gonna get the needle ;_;
>>2151895
he was at the vet last week and is in relatively good health. He gets a bit arthritic in the back during cold weather so he gets a cartrophen injection every few months. Other than that vet says his heart rate is surprisingly slow for a little dog, weight is perfect and vision is great. He still goes on daily walks without any trouble and I would say this is his only obvious health problem.
>>2151920
He wasn't coughing at the vet but they had suggested it could be tracheal collapse and said it was genetic like >>2151895 said. Didn't really offer any advice about it though or seem to be worried, but I wanted a second opinion.
>>2151860
I'm sorry I can't give you any advice, OP, but I'm sending hugs your way. Hope your pup gets better soon. He looks like a tough little guy.
