Collapsed Trachea and CBD for Dogs

In today’s world, a collapsed trachea is one of the most common canine respiratory problems. While there is currently no cure for a collapsed trachea in dogs, you can help your pet by reducing anxiety and treating inflammation-related symptoms. CBD is an all-natural therapy for dogs with collapsed trachea.

What is Collapsed Trachea in Dogs?

Tracheal collapse is a gradual, degenerative respiratory illness in dogs that is characterized by honking, goose-like coughing. Small and toy breed dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, and Mini-Schnauzers, are the most usually affected, but it can affect all dog breeds.

In dogs, collapsed trachea refers to the gradual collapse of the trachea, which connects the nasal passages to the lungs. The trachea, sometimes known as the “windpipe,” is a tube that connects the throat and lungs. It is maintained open by cartilage rings that help maintain its shape, similar to a vacuum cleaner hose. This permits air to flow freely from the mouth to the lungs—and back again.

Only roughly 83 percent of the circumference of the trachea is made up of flexible cartilage rings; the remainder is soft tissue. The structural rings of the trachea are U-shaped rather than perfect circles. A collapsed trachea occurs when the trachea’s rings weaken with time and are unable to maintain the airway’s open configuration. The soft tissue continues to sag, eventually blocking the tube and, with it, the free flow of air.

It would be nearly impossible to take a breath or expel without these rings. Imagine trying to drink a milkshake via a straw that has been flattened. Your dog is straining to breathe when they have a collapsed trachea.

Cause and Prevention of Collapsed Trachea in Dogs

The specific cause is often unknown, though it may be inherited. A lot of variables that pet parents may be unaware of might aggravate this condition, including:

• Genetics
• Obesity
• Respiratory disease
• Heart disease
• Cushing’s disease
• Environmental toxins

You should always use a harness rather than a leash to avoid a collapsed trachea, especially in small breeds. A harness will relieve pressure on your dog’s neck, regardless of its size or breed – especially when the dog is running faster than you can keep up. You must also keep track of your pet’s weight. Obesity can exacerbate tracheal collapse. The greatest diet for gut health and weight is a raw or freeze-dried diet. It’s also crucial to keep irritants like smoke, excessive hair, and dust out of the dog’s environment.

This disease is chronic, progressive, and irreversible, just like other degenerative diseases. It’s best to catch this condition before it’s too late because an episode can be excruciatingly painful and last for several minutes. When the trachea collapses over an extended period of time, oxygen levels can fall dangerously low, and in extreme situations, death can result.

Symptoms of Collapsed Trachea

It’s best to catch it early, like with any degenerative condition. There are various signs and symptoms to look out for if your trachea has collapsed. Make an appointment with your holistic veterinarian if your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below. A radiograph, echocardiography, or fluoroscopy may be required for a final diagnosis.

• Honking, goose-like cough
• Loud, abnormal, wheezy, or labored breathing
• Blue or purple gums
• Difficulty exercising
• Fainting
• Breathing changes when picked up

Conditions may worsen when:

• Excited or overactive
• After your dog eats or drinks
• When overheated
• In high humidity
• In the evenings

Treatment in Western Medicine

There isn’t a single treatment in the inventory of western pharmacological medications that can treat all of the symptoms of tracheal collapse. Instead, traditional veterinarians will prescribe a variety of medications to address all of the symptoms.

These pharmaceuticals have the potential to interact with each other as well as any other medications your pet may be on, in addition to their own side effects.

Common medications include:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Sedatives
• Antispasmodics
• Bronchodilators
• Analgesics

Are you looking for an alternative to the many combinations of pharmaceutical treatments that are currently being used to treat dogs with collapsed tracheas?

Each of the symptoms listed above has been demonstrated to be managed by a CBD-rich Full Spectrum Hemp extract, without the risk of side effects or dangerous interactions that medications bring.

CBD for Dogs with Collapsed Trachea: Anti-Inflammatory

This is one of the most well-known properties of cannabis. Inflammation-fighting compounds in cannabis are plentiful and diverse. THC and CBD, the two most prevalent phytocannabinoids in cannabis, are both anti-inflammatory, and CBC, CBG, and THCV have also been shown to be anti-inflammatory.

Researchers from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology discovered that activating cannabinoid receptors had a significant impact on inflammatory conditions in their test participants. Several studies demonstrate that cannabis reduces inflammatory responses by down-regulating cytokine and chemokine production and, in some models, up-regulating T-regulatory cells, according to research.

CBD has the ability to relieve irritation and pressure in the pulmonary system, as well as prevent future deterioration of the trachea and support cartilage, by avoiding and counteracting chronic inflammation.

CBD to Handle the Anxiety from Collapsed Trachea

The honking cough associated with a collapsed trachea can be triggered and exacerbated by stress, anxiety, and panic. Fortunately, CBD is a wonderful, natural approach to prevent fear and anxiety without drowsiness, like medicines like Trazodone does.

In addition to influencing baseline anxiety levels, current studies reveal an important function for the endocannabinoid and glucocorticoid systems in the modulation of emotional states and extinction of painful memories in animals, according to a 2013 paper published in Neuropharmacology.

In other words, CBD can aid in the extinction of negative emotions associated with triggers, as well as the management of anxiety and panic disorders in humans and animals. Perfect for preventing the anxiety that occurs with tracheal collapse episodes, for example.

CBD as a Bronchodilator: Help Your Dog Breathe

CBD not only helps to relieve inflammation and anxiety in pets, but it also has the ability to serve as a bronchodilator, widening the airways and allowing more air to enter. The last thing you want during a collapsed trachea episode is for the bronchioles to get constricted as a result of the attack.

The activation of CB1 receptors on bronchial nerve terminals has bronchodilator effects via acting on the airway smooth muscle and may be useful in airway hyperreactivity, according to a study from the University of Florence in Italy.

CBD as an Antispasmodic: Handling Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms, both locally and across our dogs’ bodies, are one of the side effects of a collapsed trachea episode. As our dogs attempt desperately to get a breath of fresh air, coughing bouts trigger involuntary convulsions and muscle spasms.

Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are known to have hazardous interactions with other medicines and to be profoundly sedative. CBD from a full-spectrum hemp extract, on the other hand, is incredibly safe and has no detrimental effects on our pets’ quality of life.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine reported that individuals who took cannabis had a one-third lower level of spasticity than those who were given a placebo in a 2012 trial. Furthermore, cannabis lowered the patients’ sense of pain by 50 percent.

Dosage Recommendations from CBD Dog Health

Contrary to popular belief, the size and weight of your dog have very little bearing on CBD dosage. Sensitivity varies significantly among dogs, and it might even vary over time as a result of age or chronic illness. As a result, the most effective dosage is calculated by taking into account each animal’s individual physiological condition.

The Ease tincture, a Full Spectrum extract containing 550mg of CBD and prepared with frankincense and turmeric to address inflammation, is recommended for collapsed trachea. A  daily dosage of between 9-18mg is generally recommended for collapsed trachea. The Ease tincture is designed such that one full dropper (1mL) is equivalent to one normal dose (9mg of CBD). Applying the tincture directly to the gums in two to three successive applications throughout the day is the best approach to ensure regular use.

Pet owners are frequently concerned that giving their pets too much CBD would harm them. When a pet doesn’t have the expected reaction, it’s usually because they aren’t getting the dosage they require for their disease.

If you are concerned about experimenting to determine their sensitivity’s upper limit, rest assured that it has been found to be completely safe.

Read More:

Preliminary Investigation of the Safety of Escalating Cannabinoid Doses in Healthy Dogs

Medical Marijuana: Clearing Away the Smoke

The role of cannabinoids in inflammatory modulation of allergic respiratory disorders, inflammatory pain and ischemic stroke

Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs

A current overview of cannabinoids and glucocorticoids in facilitating extinction of aversive memories: Potential extinction enhancers