What is Hole in the Trachea in Cats?
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube made of cartilage that allows air to pass from the throat to the larynx to the bronchi in the lungs. When the trachea becomes perforated via a small hole or tear in the cartilage, the air that normally passes into the lungs goes into the surrounding tissues. This creates pockets of air under the skin, in the mediastinum (the area in-between the lungs), around the heart, in the chest cavity and in the posterior portion of the abdominal cavity.
Tracheal perforation most often occurs due to external trauma or an internal injury and can range from a small tear to complete avulsion, where the trachea tears away.
Symptoms of Hole in the Trachea in Cats
Symptoms typically appear immediately or within seven days of the injury or trauma. These symptoms include:
Visible tissue damage to neck and/or trachea Respiratory distress Breathing difficulties Rapid breathing Visible pockets of air under the skin "Crackling" sound when stroking cat's neck and back "Crowing" noise as the cat intakes air Loss of appetite (anorexia) Weight loss Weakness Lethargy Aversion to exercise Gagging Vomiting Dehydration Excessive salivitation Coughing Shock Causes of Hole in the Trachea in Cats Perforation of the trachea can either be caused by an internal injury or external trauma. …show more content…
Internal injuries most often happen during a separate medical procedure by the veterinarian (iatrogenic). These causes include:
Accidental puncture while drawing blood
Accidental puncture during neck surgery
Traumatic intubation during use of a tracheostomy tube
Administration of anesthesia
During a transacheal wash
External trauma to the trachea normally occurs as the result of an accident. These accidents include:
Penetrating trauma from an arrow, gunshot
Blunt trauma from a thrown rock or object
Bite wounds
Falling from a great height
Vehicle accident
Diagnosis of Hole in the Trachea in Cats The veterinarian will ask for the cat's health history, a list of noticeable symptoms, any recent accidents that occurred and a date when the symptoms first began. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat, feeling for air pockets and listening to the cat's breathing. Labs, which will include a complete blood count, a biochemical profile, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis, will be taken. These tests will help the veterinarian eliminate other conditions that could be causing the respiratory problems. An arterial blood gas analysis may also be performed. This test looks at the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. A pulse oximetry test will also be performed. Both tests will typically show low amounts of oxygen saturation. Radiography is the best way to confirm a tracheal perforation. A side view X-ray of the chest and neck will show the air pockets and air collection under the skin, around the heart, in the chest cavity and in the mediastinum. An abdominal X-ray may show free air in the abdominal cavity. The trachea may appear narrowed and the site of the tear or hole may be visible. A tracheoscopy may also be performed to visualize the trachea. During this procedure, the cat will be placed under general anesthesia while a small tube with an attached camera (endoscope) is placed into the cat's mouth and into the trachea. The tracheoscopy can help the
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube made of cartilage that allows air to pass from the throat to the larynx to the bronchi in the lungs. When the trachea becomes perforated via a small hole or tear in the cartilage, the air that normally passes into the lungs goes into the surrounding tissues. This creates pockets of air under the skin, in the mediastinum (the area in-between the lungs), around the heart, in the chest cavity and in the posterior portion of the abdominal cavity.
Tracheal perforation most often occurs due to external trauma or an internal injury and can range from a small tear to complete avulsion, where the trachea tears away.
Symptoms of Hole in the Trachea in Cats
Symptoms typically appear immediately or within seven days of the injury or trauma. These symptoms include:
Visible tissue damage to neck and/or trachea Respiratory distress Breathing difficulties Rapid breathing Visible pockets of air under the skin "Crackling" sound when stroking cat's neck and back "Crowing" noise as the cat intakes air Loss of appetite (anorexia) Weight loss Weakness Lethargy Aversion to exercise Gagging Vomiting Dehydration Excessive salivitation Coughing Shock Causes of Hole in the Trachea in Cats Perforation of the trachea can either be caused by an internal injury or external trauma. …show more content…
Internal injuries most often happen during a separate medical procedure by the veterinarian (iatrogenic). These causes include:
Accidental puncture while drawing blood
Accidental puncture during neck surgery
Traumatic intubation during use of a tracheostomy tube
Administration of anesthesia
During a transacheal wash
External trauma to the trachea normally occurs as the result of an accident. These accidents include:
Penetrating trauma from an arrow, gunshot
Blunt trauma from a thrown rock or object
Bite wounds
Falling from a great height
Vehicle accident
Diagnosis of Hole in the Trachea in Cats The veterinarian will ask for the cat's health history, a list of noticeable symptoms, any recent accidents that occurred and a date when the symptoms first began. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat, feeling for air pockets and listening to the cat's breathing. Labs, which will include a complete blood count, a biochemical profile, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis, will be taken. These tests will help the veterinarian eliminate other conditions that could be causing the respiratory problems. An arterial blood gas analysis may also be performed. This test looks at the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. A pulse oximetry test will also be performed. Both tests will typically show low amounts of oxygen saturation. Radiography is the best way to confirm a tracheal perforation. A side view X-ray of the chest and neck will show the air pockets and air collection under the skin, around the heart, in the chest cavity and in the mediastinum. An abdominal X-ray may show free air in the abdominal cavity. The trachea may appear narrowed and the site of the tear or hole may be visible. A tracheoscopy may also be performed to visualize the trachea. During this procedure, the cat will be placed under general anesthesia while a small tube with an attached camera (endoscope) is placed into the cat's mouth and into the trachea. The tracheoscopy can help the