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Bronchial Collapse With Tracheal Collapse

Most owners learn about the windpipe, the trachea. Fewer hear about the bronchi, the two tubes that branch off the bottom of the trachea and carry air into the lungs. Yet a dog's vet may mention them, especially before a procedure. This page explains what bronchial collapse is, how often one study found it, and why vets ask about it.

What It Is

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons describes tracheal collapse as a disease of the windpipe and lower airways, and says the collapse can extend into the bronchi, resulting in severe airway compromise. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says that in severe cases the collapse can extend into the bronchi. University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center says that in many dogs with tracheal collapse the smaller breathing tubes in the lungs are also flattened, which can affect treatment and response to treatment.

a 2024 Seoul National University study of 110 small dogs defines mainstem bronchial collapse as static or dynamic collapse of the main bronchus on the left or right side, and says its cause is unknown. The authors write that it has been proposed that the cartilage defect in dogs with tracheal collapse may extend further down to affect the bronchi in some cases.

How Common It Was In One Study

In that study of 110 small dogs, all diagnosed with fluoroscopy, bronchial collapse was seen in 75 dogs, or 68.1 percent. By breed it was seen in 27 of 34 Maltese (79.4 percent), 19 of 25 Pomeranians (76 percent), 9 of 17 Poodles (52.9 percent), and 2 of 8 Chihuahuas (25 percent). The numbers for single breeds are small, and every dog was seen at Seoul National University, so they say more about those dogs than about every dog. See also Maltese, Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, and Chihuahuas.

How It Is Found

The Seoul study found bronchial collapse on fluoroscopy, the live X-ray video of the airway. Mizzou says a scope passed through the mouth into the trachea and bronchi allows the most complete evaluation of the airways. Cornell describes a scope as letting the clinician see the airway directly while the dog breathes. For what each test shows, see Diagnosis.

Why It Matters For Treatment

• Coughing may continue. The ACVS says control of coughing is important for a good outcome, and that dogs with bronchial collapse, and so continued coughing, are much more likely to have problems after stent or ring placement.
• Stents. Mizzou lists severe collapse of the bronchi among the situations where a tracheal stent is not always a good option. It also lists collapse of the main-stem bronchi or of non-stented regions of the trachea among possible complications.
• Medicine. VCA says bronchodilators, medicines that widen airways, such as theophylline, may be helpful if the collapse occurs in the lower trachea. It does not say they treat the bronchi specifically.
• Outlook. The ACVS says dogs with laryngeal or bronchial disease have more complications and a poorer long-term outcome after a procedure.

What The Sources Do Not Say

None of these pages gives a rule such as "bronchial collapse means no stent." Mizzou says severe collapse of the bronchi, not any collapse. The Seoul study found that the location and grade of collapse on fluoroscopy did not correlate with cough severity, and that bronchial collapse was not significantly associated with the cough score before treatment. So the picture for any one dog depends on the imaging and the team reading it.

Questions To Ask

• Are the bronchi involved in my dog, and how was that seen?
• How does that change the medicine plan?
• If a stent or rings come up, how does it change the risks you see for my dog?
• What would a repeat scope or imaging tell us?

More questions are at Questions To Ask Your Vet.

To see listed practices near you that say they treat tracheal collapse, use Find A Practice. We show every listed practice that serves your area, and you choose who, if anyone, to contact.