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Charity issues advice on tracheal collapse
Sue with Molly and Mitsy
Mitsy (left) and Molly with Sue's daughter Katie.

Alert follows near-fatal case at PDSA PetCheck event

Dog owners are being alerted to the signs of tracheal collapse following a near-fatal case at a PDSA event in Sunderland.

Owner Sue Richardson had taken her two dogs Molly and Mitsy to PetCheck - an event run by the PDSA which provides free wellbeing MOTs and microchipping for dogs.

While waiting for her appointment, Sue took her dogs for a short walk. Suddenly, Mitsy started suffering severe breathing difficulties, so Sue took her straight back to the PetCheck vehicle.

PDSA Vet Nurse Tina Scrafton, who was on the PetCheck vehicle at the time, said: “I was alerted to a dog in distress outside and went straight out to take a look. It was immediately clear how serious Mitsy’s situation was – she couldn’t breathe and her tongue was turning blue.”

Mitsy was rushed straight to emergency care at a nearby veterinary practice, where she was diagnosed with tracheal collapse - a condition where the airway closes in on itself.  "It was 50/50 as to whether she would survive. I was heartbroken," says Sue.

Thankfully after just a few hours of treatment, Mitsy was able to go home and has made a full recovery.  Now, Sue wants to do all she can to make other owners aware of what to do if this ever happens to their dogs.

PDSA nurse Tina advises: “Tracheal collapse isn’t seen very frequently, but it is more prevalent in small ‘toy’ breeds of dog, particularly as they get older.  It is caused by weaknesses or defects in the cartilage that holds the windpipe open. Hot weather can exacerbate the condition, which is what brought about Mitsy’s sudden attack.

“It’s important for owners to be aware of the signs of tracheal collapse, which include a severe “honking” cough and difficulty exercising. In extreme cases the airway can collapse completely causing the brain to be starved of oxygen, which is why Mitsy’s tongue was turning blue. If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, contact your vet straight away.”

PDSA's PetCheck tours the UK every year between March and October. For more information visit www.pdsa.org.uk/petcheck.

Image (C) PDSA

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.