Tracheal stenting is indicated for dogs with refractory tracheal collapse. Information regarding clinical improvement and owner satisfaction following stenting is scarce. The objectives of this study were to (1) screen for clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic predictors of improvement and survival after tracheal stenting, and (2) assess long-term owner satisfaction.

Dogs treated by tracheal stenting from 2011 to 2016 were retrospectively identified. Only dogs that had survived for =100 days after stenting were included. Data extracted from medical records and thoracic radiograph review were assessed as potential clinical improvement and survival predictors via univariate and multivariate analyses. Clinical improvement was studied via 4 parameters (coughing, respiratory distress, noisy breathing, and fatigability) ranked by owners based on severity before and after stenting using a subjective 10-point scale. Owner satisfaction was measured via a 10-point scale.

Twenty-seven dogs were included. Median survival time after stenting was 560 days (range 104–1837). No predictors of clinical improvement after stenting were identified. Age at stenting (p=0.036), fatigability score improvement (p=0.007), noisy breathing score improvement (p=0.044), total clinical score improvement (p=0.019), and owner satisfaction (p=0.001) were significantly associated with survival after stenting on univariate analysis. Age at stenting (p=0.01), noisy breathing score improvement (p=0.028), and owner satisfaction (p=0.002) remained significant survival predictors on multivariate analysis. The median satisfaction score was 7.5 (range 0–10) and 85% of owners would redo the procedure.

Based on these results, age at stenting, owner satisfaction, and noisy breathing improvement are prognostic factors after tracheal stenting. Owner satisfaction was overall good.

Disclosures

No disclosures to report.