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Maltese Dogs And Tracheal Collapse

Maltese are gentle, devoted little dogs, and like other toy breeds they can develop a weak, floppy windpipe as they age. If your Maltese has a honking cough, you are not alone. In one recent study, Maltese were the single most common breed among dogs diagnosed with tracheal collapse.

What The Research Found

Researchers behind a 2024 Seoul National University study of 110 small dogs looked at dogs diagnosed with tracheal collapse by fluoroscopy, a live X-ray video of the airway. Of the 110 dogs, 34 were Maltese, about 31 percent, more than any other breed. In an earlier Seoul National University review of 99 dogs from 20 years earlier, Maltese were a smaller share, 4 dogs out of 99. Both studies come from the same university in Korea, so they say more about the dogs seen there than about every country.

Where The Collapse Was Found

All 34 Maltese had collapse where the trachea enters the chest and where it divides into the two main bronchi. 33 had collapse inside the chest, and 19, a little over half, had collapse in the neck. Across every breed in the study, collapse was mildest in the neck and most severe near the bottom of the trachea.

The Bronchi Matter Too

The bronchi are the airways that branch off the bottom of the windpipe into the lungs. In the 110-dog study, 27 of the 34 Maltese, about 79 percent, had collapse of a main bronchus. That was the highest rate of any breed in the study.

Why it matters: University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center explains that when the bronchi are also flattened, it can affect treatment and how well a dog responds. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons adds that dogs with bronchial collapse keep coughing more often and are much more likely to have problems after a stent or ring placement. If your Maltese is diagnosed, it is fair to ask your vet whether the bronchi were checked and what that means for the plan.

A Cough Score Is Not A Grade

One surprising finding from the study: the grade and location of collapse seen on fluoroscopy did not line up with how bad the cough was. A dog with a mild-looking airway can cough a lot, and the reverse can be true. It is a reminder that the grade is only one part of the picture, alongside weight, other airway disease, and the heart. See Tracheal Collapse Grades.

Weight And Your Maltese

In the same study, a higher body condition score was linked to more severe collapse inside the chest, at the entrance to the chest, and where the trachea divides. A full white coat can hide a lot. Feel for the ribs rather than relying on looks, and ask your vet for a target weight. See Weight And Tracheal Collapse.

Signs To Watch For

• A dry, goose-honk cough, often with excitement or after drinking (VCA Animal Hospitals)
• Coughing when picked up or with pressure on the neck (University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center)
• Wheezing, fast breathing, or tiring on walks (Embrace Pet Insurance)

Day To Day Help

• Walk on a harness, never a collar leash.
• No smoking or vaping around your dog, and go easy on sprays and scented products.
• Walk in the cooler parts of the day. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine lists heat and humidity as triggers.
• Keep greetings and play calm when the cough is active.
• Ask your groomer to avoid slip leads and neck restraint.

Treatment

In the 110-dog study, signs improved in about 87 percent of dogs after weight loss, changes at home, and medicine. Many dogs with tracheal collapse are managed this way. For dogs that keep struggling, a stent may be discussed. Find A Practice shows listed practices near you that say they offer tracheal stents or ring surgery.