JCH-NACA Animal Control Officer Practice Test

What condition is known as collapsing trachea?

1. A serious lung disease in older dogs

2. A genetic condition in small dogs affecting the trachea

3. A common cold affecting large breeds

4. An infection leading to breathing difficulties

The correct answer is: A genetic condition in small dogs affecting the trachea

Collapsing trachea is primarily recognized as a genetic condition that affects the trachea, particularly in small dog breeds. The trachea, which is supposed to maintain a rigid and open structure, loses its strength and flexibility due to malformation of the cartilage rings. As a result, the trachea can collapse, leading to breathing difficulties, coughing, and other respiratory issues. This condition is commonly seen in breeds like Toy Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers, among others. The genetic predisposition in these small breeds makes them more susceptible to the condition, explaining why option B is the most accurate description of collapsing trachea. The other options discuss conditions that either do not specifically relate to the trachea or are not characterized by the same genetic components and breed predilections as collapsing trachea. For example, a serious lung disease in older dogs may affect their respiratory function but does not specifically describe the structural issues of the trachea. Similarly, a common cold affecting large breeds or an infection leading to breathing difficulties could refer to vastly different conditions unrelated to the structural collapse of the trachea as it pertains to smaller dog breeds.