Medical management of primary tracheal collapse in a cat

A 2-year-old, neutered, female domestic shorthair cat was referred with 3-day history of coughing and respiratory distress. At presentation, the cat had severe inspiratory dyspnoea. Thoracic radiographs, computed tomography, tracheobronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed. A grade II primary cervical tracheal collapse was diagnosed. The cat was discharged with co-amoxiclav (at 22 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 15 days) and methylprednisolone (at 1 mg/kg orally every 24 hours), with the dose being gradually decreased over a period of 2 months. The clinical signs improved progressively, and 12 months later, no clinical signs were evident. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a feline primary tracheal collapse treated without surgical intervention with an excellent clinical response.