Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mechanical ventilation use and outcomes in brachycephalic dogs
By Hoareau, Guillaume L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2011·Department of Clinical Studies - Philadelphia, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Indication, management, and outcome of brachycephalic dogs requiring mechanical ventilation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Fifteen brachycephalic dogs, known for their short noses and flat faces, needed mechanical ventilation due to serious breathing problems, often from aspiration pneumonia. About half of these dogs were successfully weaned off the ventilator after an average of 15 hours, with those who had a tracheostomy tube showing good recovery. The study found that dogs with better oxygen levels before weaning had a higher chance of recovery. Overall, while these dogs faced significant respiratory challenges, many were able to leave the hospital after treatment.
People also search for: brachycephalic dog breathing problems · aspiration pneumonia treatment in dogs · mechanical ventilation for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency, and need for mechanical ventilation (MV) in a population of brachycephalic dogs (BD) compared with non-BD. Also, to describe the pre-MV abnormalities, ventilator settings used, the cardiovascular and pulmonary monitoring results and complications encountered in the same BD population. In addition, we sought to identify factors associated with successful weaning and describe outcomes of BD requiring MV. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study (1990-2008). SETTING: University Small Animal Teaching Hospital. ANIMALS: Fifteen BD managed with MV. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Signalment, indication for MV, ventilator settings, arterial blood gas values, duration of MV, complications, and outcome were recorded for each patient enrolled in study. BD were more likely to receive MV than non-BD (P=0.036). Out of the 15 dogs that fulfilled the inclusion criteria 7 (47%) underwent MV for impending respiratory fatigue, 6 (40%) for hypoxemia and 2 for hypercapnea. The most common underlying disease was aspiration pneumonia. Duration of MV ranged from 2 to 240 hours (median 15 hours). Seven patients were weaned (47%). Seven dogs had a temporary tracheostomy tube and 5 of them (71%) were weaned. Dogs that were weaned had a significantly greater preweaning trial PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio than those that were not (359 ± 92 versus 210 ± 57 mm Hg, P=0.025). No significant difference for weaning success between dogs with and those without a tracheostomy was detected (P=0.132). The discharge rate was 27% (all from the respiratory fatigue group). CONCLUSION: Among all dogs admitted to ICU, BD were more likely to receive MV than non-BD. Aspiration pneumonia was frequently identified as the underlying cause of respiratory compromise. The survival rate for BD undergoing MV was not markedly different from previous studies. Weaning of BD from MV may be facilitated by employing preemptive strategies such as performing tracheostomy tube placements.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21631708/