tracheal collapse- Case Study SUGAR
Helping Sugar Breathe Easier
Meet Sugar, a 4-year-old Pomeranian who came to Hong Kong Veterinary Specialty Services suffering from severe, debilitating tracheal collapse.
Tracheal collapse is a progressive condition in which weakening of the cartilage that normally holds the airway open causes the trachea to flatten and narrow. In advanced cases, this dynamic obstruction can severely restrict airflow, leading to persistent coughing, respiratory distress, exercise intolerance and a significantly reduced quality of life.
Using CT imaging, we were able to assess the extent and anatomy of Sugar’s airway disease in detail. Real-time fluoroscopy then allowed us to evaluate the dynamic nature of the collapse and precisely guide treatment to restore a more patent airway using a tracheal stent.
For Sugar, the goal was simple but life-changing: to breathe more freely.
With his airway supported, Sugar now has the opportunity to move beyond the constant struggle for breath—and get back to enjoying the things a happy 4-year-old Pomeranian should.
At Hong Kong Veterinary Specialty Services, advanced imaging and minimally invasive interventional techniques allow us to provide new options for patients with complex airway disease.
CT scan: sagittal view
There is a focal narrowing of the trachea (windpipe) despite a positive pressure being applied on the airways. A precise measurement can be acquired to select the best size of stent.
CT scan transverse.
See how the severe tracheal collapse limits the arrival of air through the trachea and to the lungs. The longer the signs of coughing last and often the more diffuse the disease will be.
C-arm view (fluoroscopy)
The darker "tube" is the trachea (windpipe). We can see the tube disappear at the entry of the thorax where the collapse is the worst.
C-arm (fluoroscopy) after stent
The fluoroscopy confirms optimal positioning of the stent
Has your pet experienced chronic coughing, goose honking for several months with a gradual loss in exercise tolerance?
Contact Hong Kong Veterinary Specialty Services for an initial assessment. The initial consultation does not require any specific equipment and can be organised at your family veterinarian, anywhere in Hong Kong.
