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Pomeranians And Tracheal Collapse

Pomeranians are big personalities in very small bodies, and a honking cough can stop any Pom owner cold. Pomeranians show up near the top of the breed lists in several studies of tracheal collapse. Here is what the studies found, why the location of the collapse matters, and how you can help your dog breathe easier.

How Often Pomeranians Are Affected

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons lists Pomeranians among the breeds most commonly affected. In a 2024 Seoul National University study of 110 small dogs with tracheal collapse, Pomeranians were the second most common breed, 25 dogs or about 23 percent. In an earlier Seoul National University review of 99 dogs from 2002 and 2003, Pomeranians were also second, with 10 dogs, about 10 percent. And in a study of 329 dogs with a long-lasting cough at an English specialty hospital, Pomeranians were one of three breeds over-represented among dogs whose cough turned out to be airway collapse.

Where The Collapse Tends To Be

The windpipe runs from the throat, through the neck, and into the chest, where it splits into the two main bronchi. Collapse can happen in any part. The 110-dog study used fluoroscopy, a live X-ray video, to look at each section while dogs breathed. In all 25 Pomeranians, collapse showed up where the trachea enters the chest, inside the chest, and at the point where it divides. About half (13 dogs) also had collapse in the neck. The authors noted that Pomeranians had more severe collapse at the entrance to the chest and inside the chest than the other breeds in the study.

19 of the 25 Pomeranians, 76 percent, also had collapse of a main bronchus, the larger airways past the windpipe. That matters because University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center explains that when the bronchi are also flattened, it can change the treatment and how well a dog responds to it.

Why Location Matters For Treatment

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons explains that collapse in the neck can be treated by a surgeon placing rings around the outside of the trachea, while a stent placed inside the airway can treat collapse in the neck or in the chest without an incision. ACVS also notes that dogs with bronchial collapse are much more likely to have problems after a stent or rings, and many keep coughing. None of this means a Pomeranian needs a procedure. Many dogs are managed with medicine and home care alone. It does mean good imaging is worth asking about if your dog is not improving. See How Tracheal Collapse Is Diagnosed.

Signs Pom Owners Often Notice

• A goose-honk cough when excited, pulling on the leash, or after a drink (VCA Animal Hospitals)
• Coughing when picked up or when something presses on the neck (University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center)
• Gagging after meals, noisy breathing, and tiring quickly (Embrace Pet Insurance)

Day To Day Help

• Harness, not collar. Pressure on the neck can set off a coughing fit. A well-fitted harness moves that pressure to the chest.
• Keep them lean. In the 110-dog study, a higher body condition score was linked to more severe collapse. A fluffy coat can hide extra weight, so ask your vet to check your Pom's body condition with their hands, not just the scale. See Weight And Tracheal Collapse.
• Calm routines. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine lists stress, excitement, heat and humidity, smoke, and pressure on the neck as things that can make coughing worse.
• Clean air. No smoking or vaping near your dog, and go easy on sprays and scented products.

What Treatment Usually Looks Like

Most dogs are managed with medicine and changes at home. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine describes cough suppressants, sedatives or anti-anxiety medicine, corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and antibiotics when infection is present as the main options. Your vet chooses which, if any, fit your dog. Read more in Cough Medicine And Steroids. If your vet mentions a stent or rings, Find A Practice shows listed practices near you that say they offer them.