What You Need to Know About Using CBD for Dogs with Collapsed Trachea
Are you afraid and don’t know what to do when dealing with a collapsed trachea in your dog?
Millions of dog parents like you are fearful every day, worry about their dogs, and wonder how they can treat and alleviate this condition.
But what if I told you it’s time to try an alternative product that may help your canine companion? That is the usage of CBD for dogs with collapsed trachea.
In this post, we’ll explore what a collapsed trachea is. Its causes and symptoms, and how CBD might help dogs with this condition.
What Is a Collapsed Trachea?
It is a progressive respiratory condition where tracheal rings, made of cartilage (softer tissue), become weakened and flattened. A weak trachea (windpipe) leads to difficulty breathing and airway narrowing. It can affect all dogs regardless of breed and size. But it is common mostly in small and toy-breed dogs such as Yorkshire terriers, Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians.
Causes of Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
The exact cause of a collapsed trachea is unknown, but multiple factors contribute to its development. Furthermore, this condition may be inherited and can worsen by several factors that dog owners may be unaware of, such as:
- Genetic predisposition, therefore, before getting a puppy, educate yourself about their genetics
- Obesity
- Exposure to irritants and pollutants
- Heart disease
- Cushing disease, which weakens bones and tissues, including tracheal cartilage
- Respiratory diseases
- Wear and tear
Symptoms of Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
This condition is prevalent in small-breed dogs but typically appears in middle-aged or older dogs. The first symptom you’ll observe in dogs with collapsed trachea is persistent coughing, described as sounding like a goose honk. The other symptoms to look out for include:
- Difficulty Breathing
- A persistent honking cough that worsens due to using leashes or collars. Therefore, a harness for dogs with this condition is preferred. Also, exercise, eating, and excitement can trigger the cough too.
- Gagging or retching
- Bluish tinge to the gum or tongue due to insufficient oxygen
- Possible fainting or passing out
- Noisy breathing
- Exercise intolerance due to low energy
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Signs of pain and discomfort
How CBD for Dogs With Collapsed Trachea Might Help
There is no cure for this condition. However, what dog parents can do is utilize products like CBD to help in managing this condition. But what benefits will CBD offer in managing collapsed trachea in dogs?
1. Alleviating Pain
A collapsed trachea can cause your dog to experience pain and discomfort, especially during episodes of severe coughing. Therefore, CBD has proven analgesic effects and effective pain relief, so it’s an effective ally in addressing this condition.
A 2020 study on osteoarthritis in dogs found that this condition, which causes chronic pain due to ongoing inflammation, significantly affects their quality of life.
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that happens when the cartilage that lines your joints wears down over time. The study found a significant decrease in pain and a notable improvement in dogs’ quality of life. Also, more dogs in the CBD group achieved treatment success compared to those other groups using the placebo.
2. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Collapsed trachea is a respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and irritation in the trachea. Therefore, utilizing CBD for dogs with a collapsed trachea can help reduce inflammation. One of the most recognized benefits of CBD is its anti-inflammatory.
A 2019 study on animal models investigated if CBD could mitigate lung inflammation in asthma. Asthma is a condition characterized by chronic lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness leading to airway obstruction/narrowing.
The results of the study demonstrated that treatment with CBD was effective in minimizing the inflammatory response. Therefore, CBD treatment was a reduction in airway hyperresponsiveness. Also, these effects appear to be mediated by an interaction involving CB1 and CB2 receptor activation. So, CB1 receptor activation inhibited airway contraction in normal and inflamed tracheas.
Hence, dogs with this condition will experience reduced inflammation and alleviate symptoms such as breathing difficulties.
3. Anxiety and Stress Reduction
If your dog experiences stress and anxiety, it can trigger the honking cough associated with this condition.
A Cornell study had dogs given CBD before a stressful event, and 83% showed stress or anxiety-related behaviors decreased.
Therefore, when dogs experience heightened anxiety or panic, which can sometimes lead to dog aggression, CBD may be an ideal solution to help calm your canine friend.
4. Bronchodilator Effects
CBD may help to widen the airways. Therefore, for dogs suffering from tracheal collapse, CBD has the potential to relax the muscles surrounding the bronchial passages. It will facilitate improved airflow and easier respiration for affected canines.
A 2012 study examined the role of cannabinoids such as CBD in respiratory disorders. The results revealed that the activation of CB1 receptors on bronchial nerve endings has bronchodilator effects by acting on the airway smooth muscle and may be beneficial in airway hyperreactivity.
5. As an Antispasmodic
Muscle spasms or muscle cramps are involuntary and uncontrollable contractions of muscles that can’t relax. It usually happens when your dog has coughing fits and their necks extend as they try to get a breath of fresh air.
These spasms make breathing difficult for your dog, but CBD can relax the muscles in the airway and reduce the spasms.
A 2021 study investigated if CBD reduces rat diaphragm muscle contraction. It revealed that CBD reduces muscular contraction and may be a possible use for CBD in myotonia. Myotonia is a rare condition that impacts your muscles, where they can’t relax after contracting.
Therefore, the study results suggest that CBD may alleviate myotonia and help reduce muscle contraction. This will lead to improved airflow due to the relaxed muscles and reduced coughing episodes, commonly in dogs with collapsed trachea.
Conclusion
There is no cure for collapsed trachea, and CBD doesn’t act as a cure. But what it does is aid in managing this condition. As a dog owner, you use CBD for dogs with collapsed trachea to alleviate pain, inflammation, stress, anxiety, and muscle spasms and to relax bronchial muscles, providing bronchodilator effects.
However, dog parents must be alert that obesity, allergens, smoke, and airway irritants can aggravate this condition.
Although CBD can help manage collapsed trachea in dogs, when choosing these products, be aware that fake CBD products have infiltrated the pet CBD industry.
Therefore, always consult your veterinarian CBD consultant to ensure the best approach for your canine’s needs and to help you choose high-quality pet CBD products.
REFERENCES
Teixeira, L.R., Luna, S.P., Matsubara, L.M., Cápua, M.L., Santos, B.P., Mesquita, L.R., Faria, L.G., Agostinho, F.S., & Hielm-Björkman, A. (2020). “Oral Transmucosal Cannabidiol Oil Formulation as Part of a Multimodal Analgesic Regimen: Effects on Pain Relief and Quality of Life Improvement in Dogs Affected by Spontaneous Osteoarthritis.”
European Journal of Pharmacology (2019). “Cannabidiol reduces airway inflammation and fibrosis in experimental allergic asthma.” Available at
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (n.d.). “CBD: What you need to know about its uses and efficacy.”
Alessandro Pini, Guido Mannaioni, Domenico Pellegrini-Giampietro, Maria Beatrice Passani, Rosanna Mastroianni, Daniele Bani, Emanuela Masini (2012). “The role of cannabinoids in inflammatory modulation of allergic respiratory disorders, inflammatory pain and ischemic stroke.”
Ghovanloo, M. R., & Ruben, P. C. (2021).“Cannabidiol inhibits the skeletal muscle Nav1.4 by blocking its pore and by altering membrane elasticity.” Journal of General Physiology.
