Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Survival rates improve in dogs on ventilation over 24 hours
By Cahill-Patray, Kylle et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2026·1Arizona Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Center·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Mechanical ventilation beyond 24 hours is associated with improved survival outcomes in dogs: a multi-institutional analysis of 258 cases (2019-2025).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 258 dogs needing help with breathing issues were placed on mechanical ventilation (a machine that helps them breathe) at various veterinary hospitals. The study found that dogs who were on the ventilator for 24 hours or more had a much better chance of surviving—52% of them went home compared to only 13% of those who were ventilated for less than 24 hours. Many dogs that were euthanized did so within the first 24 hours, often due to financial reasons. This information can help pet owners understand the potential outcomes of mechanical ventilation for their pets.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate survival outcomes in dogs undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) when accounting for ventilation duration and euthanasia context, and to determine survival rates in patients ventilated ≥ 24 hours. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, records were reviewed from dogs undergoing all-cause MV at 3 academic referral hospitals and 2 private specialty hospitals between March 2019 and January 2025. Data collected included underlying diagnosis, indication for MV, ventilation duration, and outcome. Indications were categorized as increased work of breathing, severe hypoxemia (Pao2 < 60 mm Hg or peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin as measured by pulse oximetry < 90% despite supplemental oxygen), or hypoventilation (Paco2 ≥ 60 mm Hg). Ventilation duration was classified as < 24 hours or ≥ 24 hours, and reasons for euthanasia were recorded when available. RESULTS: Of 258 dogs, 85 (32.9%) survived to discharge, 105 (40.7%) were euthanized, and 68 (26.4%) died. Survival was 52.3% for dogs ventilated ≥ 24 hours compared to 13.3% for those ventilated < 24 hours. Overall, 64.7% of euthanasias occurred within 24 hours and 28.6% were financially driven. Median ventilation duration among survivors was 48 hours (range, 24 to 356 hours). CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional study demonstrates improved survival outcome with a 52% survival to discharge for patients ventilated ≥ 24 hours compared to patients ventilated < 24 hours. These findings suggest that once a patient surpasses the initial 24-hour period on MV, prognosis stabilizes at approximately 50:50, aligning more closely with human ICU survival rates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings support MV as a viable therapeutic option in veterinary critical care, and updated survival statistics provide a basis for prognostic discussions and treatment decisions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41411848/