Pug with tracheal collapse: Can I give two meds or try swimming?

Some dogs with tracheal collapse need to stay on hydrocodone long term and also a bronchodilator. You should call your vet and give him/her an update and maybe your vet can just prescribe additional medications without having to take him back to the vet.

Poor guy. If the Temaril alone is not helping him I would highly recommend telling your vet so that they can also prescribe additional medications. Tracheal collapse is often treated with several medications in more severe cases. Cough tabs or Torbutrol tabs are given to help reduce the cough. Also a bronchodilator is helpful in some pets to open up the airway just before the thoracic inlet. For now you can mix a small amount of honey mixed with water and offer that to Ferris until you an get him seen again by your vet. Honey has anti-inflammatory proerties that may be somewhat helpful. Also make sure not to place a collar on him, harness only, and try your best to keep him in a quite room with limited stimulus. I hope that Ferris feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

Tussigon (hydrocodone bitartrate) is good for collapsing trachea along with using a harness instead of a collar, as well as keeping Kasey as calm as possible. Daily VetriScience Composure chews (available on chewy.com and petco.com) are highly effective in many dogs to ‘take the edge off’ their excitability in a natural way. Tussigon contains a narcotic with potential sedative effects so not exceeding your veterinarian’s prescribed dose is important. In severe cases of tracheal collapse, surgical correction is an option. Good luck!

Typically, medical management of collapsing trachea includes cough suppressants such as hydrocodone, tapering doses of prednisone or inhaled steroids such as fluticasone. If Chaisey has developed an acute worsening of symptoms, thoracic radiographs and an airway wash should be considered to rule out infection. Albuterol is typically not helpful in my experience.

Unfortunately medication won't improve this sort of cough because it is due to a functional problem not irriation. She is coughing because her trachea is collapsing. I would not recommend over the counter human medicine as sone cough bottles have ingredients toxic to dogs, and it wouldn't help anyway.

Prevent aspiration of food or water by using an elevated feeder. Avoid using collars or leashes around the neck. Discuss cough medications and bronchodilators with your veterinarian. Keep your dog lean. Obese dogs have more complications related to tracheal collapse than slim dogs.

It all depends on how she responds to treatment. Temaril P is basically a steroid, so your vet is aiming to decrease acute airway inflammation right now. It's possible she'll able to come of medication entirely, or she may need a low dose of steroid long term. She could also need a couch medication long term.