Long‐Term Outcome, Complications and Disease Progression in 23 Dogs After Placement of Tracheal Ring Prostheses for Treatment of Extrathoracic Tracheal Collapse

Objective To report complications, long‐term outcome, and disease progression in dogs with extrathoracic tracheal collapse treated by surgical placement of commercially available extraluminal rings. Study Design Retrospective case series. Animals Dogs (n = 23). Methods Medical records (2002–2011) of dogs treated with extraluminal rings for extrathoracic tracheal collapse were reviewed. Owner interviews, conducted at >10 months postoperatively, determined response to surgery, progression of clinical signs after surgery, and frequency of medication administration. Long‐term re‐evaluation (>10 months after surgery) was offered for surviving dogs, including radiographs and tracheoscopy if indicated. Results Of 23 dogs, 22 survived to discharge after surgery. Clinical signs improved in all dogs at 2 weeks after surgery and at long‐term re‐evaluation. Fourteen dogs (65%) required no medical management for respiratory signs after surgery. Four dogs (17%) were diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis at some point after surgery, but only 9% were diagnosed within 48 hours of the surgery. Additional rings were placed between previously placed rings in 2 dogs, and 1 dog was treated with an endoluminal stent for intrathoracic tracheal collapse. Three dogs had clinical signs consistent with progression of tracheal collapse. Based on owner questionnaire, all owners were satisfied with surgical outcome. Conclusions Treatment of severe cervical tracheal collapse with commercially‐available extraluminal ring placement leads to an overall improvement in quality of life and good long‐term results, with about one‐third of dogs requiring continued medical management. Most dogs do not have clinical signs consistent with disease progression after surgery.