Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Outcome of mechanical ventilation in dogs with lower motor neuron
By Rutter, Christine R et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2011·Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Outcome and medical management in dogs with lower motor neuron disease undergoing mechanical ventilation: 14 cases (2003-2009).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 dogs with lower motor neuron disease (LMND) were treated with a special breathing machine called intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IIPV) because they were too weak to breathe on their own. Most of these dogs showed weakness for about a day and a half before starting treatment, and they were on the ventilator for an average of about four and a half days. While some dogs faced complications like pneumonia, a few were able to come off the ventilator and three dogs went home after treatment. Unfortunately, many dogs did not survive, highlighting the serious nature of this condition.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · lower motor neuron disease in dogs · IIPV treatment for dogs · myasthenia gravis in dogs · dog ventilator care
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the application of intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IIPV) in dogs with lower motor neuron disease (LMND). DESIGN: Multi-institutional, retrospective study (2003-2009). SETTING: Intensive care units at multiple university teaching hospitals. ANIMALS: Fourteen dogs with LMND that underwent IIPV. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The ventilatory logs of 4 teaching hospitals were searched for dogs undergoing IIPV in association with a diagnosis of acute LMND. The medical records were evaluated for signalment, specific LMND, ventilatory management and duration, complications associated with ventilation, duration of hospitalization, and outcome. Descriptive statistics were used as indicated. Fifteen records were evaluated, 1 dog was excluded since it experienced cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) before commencement of IIPV. The median age was 7.0 years (range 10 mo to 12 y). There were 5 Labrador retrievers, 4 mixed breeds, and 5 other breeds were each represented once. Five dogs were diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, 4 dogs with polyradiculoneuritis, and 5 dogs had an undetermined LMND. Clinical signs of weakness before ventilation were present for a median of 36 hours (range 6 h to 14 d). Dogs were ventilated for a median of 109 hours (range 5-261 h). Nine dogs had temporary tracheostomies performed, and 8 dogs received nutritional support. Five dogs developed ventilator associated pneumonia. Six dogs were successfully weaned from the ventilator with a median ventilatory time of 49 hours (range 25-192 h). Three dogs survived to discharge. No single LMND was associated with a better outcome. CONCLUSIONS: High euthanasia rates and iatrogenic complications limit the ability to accurately prognosticate for affected dogs in this retrospective study, but in dogs with LMND that is severe enough to require IIPV, support may be required days to weeks.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22316200/