Background

Tracheal collapse is a common cause of dyspnea in dogs but is rarely reported in cats. Primary tracheal collapse was previously described in one seven-year-old cat, nevertheless, congenital tracheal collapse was not reported in cats. Intraluminal tracheal stenting for the treatment of secondary tracheal narrowing was previously reported in four cats only. This case report describes successful tracheal stenting in a cat with severe tracheal collapse due to suspected congenital tracheal malformation.

Case Presentation

A fourteen-month-old cat was presented to the veterinary teaching hospital with severe respiratory distress. Previous history included repeated episodes of cough and inspiratory dyspnea with progressive severity over a period of seven months since the age of seven months. Repeated thoracic radiographs demonstrated significant tracheal narrowing. Pharmacotherapy attempts with various medications including steroids, antibiotics and bronchodilators had non to minimal effect on clinical signs. Cervical and thoracic radiographs as well as contrast computed tomography scan preformed at the hospital demonstrated severe tracheal collapse with a minimal tracheal diameter of two millimeters at the level of the thoracic inlet. No primary cause was identified. Medical management failed to relief respiratory symptoms and therefore an intraluminal tracheal stenting was advised.

The cat underwent successful intraluminal tracheal stenting using a self-expendable nitinol stent under direct fluoroscopy. A patent trachea was immediately demonstrated by tracheoscopy up to the level of the carina. Following the procedure, the cat recovered uneventfully and was discharged the following day. At follow-up, four months post discharge, the cat was doing well, and the owner reported no significant clinical signs but mild intermittent cough treated with butorphanol as needed. Repeated thoracic radiographs confirmed proper stent position.

New and Unique Information

This is the first reported case of congenital primary tracheal collapse in a cat. A diagnosis of tracheal collapse should be considered even in young cats presenting with inspiratory dyspnea. Intraluminal tracheal stenting was preformed uneventfully and should be considered a viable treatment option for cats.

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