Trachea injury/irritation?

[MyBestFriendIsADog]

Yesterday my kid opened the door and our dog (year old Irish Terrier) went to run out. Not really thinking I grabbed her collar and pulled her back (there was some traffic on the street and was very worried she'd run out into it). She coughed a bit after and gagged once, but nothing serious, so I thought all was fine. Then last night she began gagging more often, seemed to be having some difficulty swallowing, and seemed in mild distress. I called the vet but only got their messaging service as it was after hours (and they never called back, either, grrr). Today she seems better, she's eating fine, drinking okay, still coughing/gagging on occasion, and still swallowing a little "hard" but much better than last night. I'm taking her to the vet this afternoon just to have it checked out, but am wondering if anyone here has any experience with trachea injuries and if they just heal on their own over time. I worked in a clinic for many years but can't recall any tracheal issues other than collapsing tracheas, and this is different. I also feel like a bloody stupid jerk and bad owner, but I didn't think I'd used that much force (all I can think is that her collar may have been riding higher on her neck than usual, and because I was pulling back it injured her). Any experience with this, anyone? And don't bother bashing me - I feel lower than a snake already.

 

[dr2little]

Yesterday my kid opened the door and our dog (year old Irish Terrier) went to run out. Not really thinking I grabbed her collar and pulled her back (there was some traffic on the street and was very worried she'd run out into it). She coughed a bit after and gagged once, but nothing serious, so I thought all was fine. Then last night she began gagging more often, seemed to be having some difficulty swallowing, and seemed in mild distress. I called the vet but only got their messaging service as it was after hours (and they never called back, either, grrr). Today she seems better, she's eating fine, drinking okay, still coughing/gagging on occasion, and still swallowing a little "hard" but much better than last night. I'm taking her to the vet this afternoon just to have it checked out, but am wondering if anyone here has any experience with trachea injuries and if they just heal on their own over time. I worked in a clinic for many years but can't recall any tracheal issues other than collapsing tracheas, and this is different. I also feel like a bloody stupid jerk and bad owner, but I didn't think I'd used that much force (all I can think is that her collar may have been riding higher on her neck than usual, and because I was pulling back it injured her). Any experience with this, anyone? And don't bother bashing me - I feel lower than a snake already.

First, I'd have grabbed my dog by whatever means I needed to, to avoid them from ending up under a car...you won't hear bashing from me.
The only trachea injuries that I've any information on are from choke chains. I've researched the number and severity of injuries cause by choke chains and I don't think that they would really compare. Although these injuries are from chronic choking, they too can repair themselves over time depending on the degree.
I wish that I could be of some help to you but I think that your Vet is the only one who can answer this. Please let us know how your dog is...and stop beating yourself up!!!

 

[savethebulliedbreeds]

I agree that I would have done the same thing to keep my dog from running into traffic. You definately won't hear any bashing from me either. I would say that if she is doing better today already then whatever the problem is she should be fine. You may have just bruised her trachea. I would still take her to the vet and have her checked out just in case. Good luck and keep us updated ok. Yes and please don't beat yourself up....if she would have run into traffic it could be a lot worse. You did the right thing.

 

[cowgurl6254]

No bashing here either You did what you had to do to keep her from getting hit by a car. It sounds like she should recover, but please let us know what the vet said.