Radiographic evaluation and comparative efficacy assessment of stanozolol and prednisolone acetate in canine tracheal collapse

Canine tracheal collapse is a progressive, enduring and fatal respiratory insufficiency syndrome of dogs, which causes agony to the pet and pet parents alike. The disease is characterised by cartilage flaccidity and flattening of the tracheal rings and causes paroxysmal ‘goose honking cough’. In this study, efficacy of stanozolol and prednisolone acetate in healing tracheal collapse was studied, which was assessed by radiographic findings. It was found that stanozolol at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg twice daily for 30 days followed by a tapering dose was more effective than prednisolone acetate in the medical management of tracheal collapse. Even though, there are reports on single dog breeds with tracheal collapse, studies on both brachycephalic and normocephalic dog breeds were not traceable. Moreover, no previous study has evaluated the comparative efficacy assessment of stanozolol and prednisolone acetate in canine tracheal collapse.