Advances in modern veterinary medicine now make it possible to significantly improve the quality of life, for those pets suffering from collapsing trachea.  No longer is invasive surgery with potential complications necessary to correct this common problem.  At Miami Veterinary Specialists, we offer a non-invasive approach, utilizing endotracheal stents to bring much needed relief to your patients. 

The placement of an endotracheal stent is done with no incisions.  The pet is put under general anesthesia.  The stent is inserted through the mouth and down the windpipe.  The stent is deployed and that’s it!  “It’s a surprisingly fast procedure,” according to Dr. Marc Wosar, Diplomate ACVS at Miami Veterinary Specialists.  “Recovery time is almost zero.  The patient simply recovers from the anesthesia.”  The procedure is performed in one day, with the tracheal collapse confirmed, tracheal measurements taken and the stent placed under a short anesthetic episode.  Clinical studies report improvement in 75 – 90% of patients treated with this kind of stent.  Complications tend to be minor, the most common being a temporary persistent dry cough while the patient acclimates to the prosthesis. 

For Gal Romero, a Miami area Yorkie, the placement of an endotracheal stent was necessary, after an acute onset of symptoms.  Before stent placement, Gal had a severe cough and had episodes of collapse with cyanosis that could only be controlled with heavy sedation.

The previous method of treating collapsing trachea, the external prosthetic ring procedure, offers many drawbacks.  One of the potential complications is laryngeal paralysis, which can happen immediately during surgery or soon after.  The ring procedure, a major throat surgery, also brings with it, soreness, swelling and recovery time in the hospital.

About Miami Veterinary Specialists:
Miami Veterinary Specialists serves South Florida as a regional referral, emergency and critical care center. The staff accepts cases requiring advanced specialized surgical and medical treatments.  Appointments are by referral from the family veterinarian.  The hospital is doctor-staffed 24 hours a day and is equipped with advanced diagnostic, anesthetic, imaging and surgical equipment to provide the best possible care for patients.  Miami Veterinary Specialists handles most secondary and tertiary care problems.  The hospital is located at: 8601 Sunset Drive, Miami.  The phone number is: 305-665-2820.