Conservative Management of Canine Tracheal Collapse with Stanozolol: A Double Blinded, Placebo Control Clinical Trial

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of stanozolol in the treatment of tracheal collapse (TC) in dogs, which is the analogous disease to tracheomalacia (TM) in humans. Twenty-two dogs with endoscopically confirmed and graded TC were enrolled into five groups. Groups 81 (n=5), 82 (n=5) and 83 (n=4) with grade 1, 2 and 3 TC, respectively, received stanozolol orally for 75 days, while groups PI (n=4) and P2 (n=4) with grade 1 and 2 TC, respectively, received placebo. The clinical score was evaluated every 15 days, whereas TC grade was reassessed at the end of the experiment. Clinical improvement was detected from the 30 th day in 82 and 83 group dogs and from the 45 th day in 81 group dogs and continued until the end of the experiment. Also, statistically significant differences were seen between 82 and P2 dogs from the 30 th day, and between 81 and PI dogs from the 60 th day, and continued until the end of the study. Amelioration of the TC grade was seen in 13 of 14 (92.9%) dogs, which received stanozolol. Of the 14 dogs, 57.1% were cured and 35.8% demonstrated a less severe TC grade, while only one dog (7.1%) did not improve at all. Stanozolol seems to be an effective drug in the management of canine TC and it may have potential for use in humans with TM.

Clinical Evaluation of Intra-articular Administration of Stanozolol to Manage Lameness Associated With Acute and Chronic Osteoarthritis in Horses

“…Because of its strong anabolic effects, studies on the effect of stanozolol on OA have not been performed on humans [20,21]. Some promising results have recently led to renewed interest in the use of this drug in veterinary medicine for companion animals [9,22,23]. Systemic stanozolol has been used in horses as an anabolic steroid and is considered a doping agent [24,25].…”

Canine tracheal collapse

“…Recently, an experimental study evaluating the administration of stanozolol, an anabolic androgenic steroid, documented its potential beneficial effects in the management of dogs with tracheal collapse. It is postulated that stanozolol may enhance protein synthesis, increase collagen synthesis and chondroitin sulphate content (Adamama‐Moraitou et al ).…”

A retrospective study of theophylline-based therapy with tracheal collapse in small-breed dogs: 47 cases (2013–2017)

“…Therefore, to reduce inflammation, prednisone (0.5 mg/kg PO q12h for 1–2 weeks and a 3 month interval) or fluticasone (125–250 mcg puff q12h) inhalation steroids are applied in long-term therapy in conventional TC treatments [151626]. Therapy with stanozolol, an anabolic androgenic steroid, has also been proposed for canine TC [27]. In addition, antitussive agents have been recommended, including hydrocodone (0.22 mg/kg PO q12h) and butorphanol (0.55 mg/kg PO), to suppress cough [15].…”