Tracheal Hypoplasia in Dogs

Category: Airway & Lung
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 3

Overview

An underdeveloped windpipe has a smaller internal opening along its length, leaving less room for air to pass. This narrowing is present from birth and is called tracheal hypoplasia. Unlike a collapsing airway, the narrow tube does not change size as the dog breathes. Some dogs show no signs, while others have breathing problems, often alongside other airway abnormalities.

Signs to watch for

Breathing that looks difficult or sounds unusually harsh
Coughing
Gagging or choking episodes
Struggling to keep up during activity
Fainting

Present from birth, although some dogs with a narrow windpipe show no obvious signs.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog has severe breathing difficulty.

Diagnosis and tests

Neck and chest X-rays allow a vet to assess the windpipe's width. Measurements can be compared with nearby body structures to help identify an unusually narrow airway. These measurements have limitations, so an X-ray ratio should not be treated as a perfect screening result.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Medium

BulldogMedium · Non-Sporting Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.