Tracheal collapse in a young boxer

A four-month-old, female boxer developed severe inspiratory dyspnea three d ays after elective ear crop surgery. Radiographs confirmed the diagnosis of collapse of the distal cervical trachea. The puppy was treated with oxygen , aminophylline, and ampicillin, but required emergency tracheostomy to ste nt the collapsed region. Clinical signs resolved following application of f ive polypropylene total-ring prostheses, and the puppy continued to do well despite significant growth to maturity.