Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Survival and risk factors for dogs and cats with cancer in ICU
By Mattavelli, Clara et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2026·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and Risk Factors for Survival in Dogs and Cats With Cancer Admitted to the ICU.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 114 dogs and 38 cats with cancer were admitted to the ICU, often due to breathing problems or heart issues. The study found that about 57% of these pets survived their hospital stay, but only 31% were still alive three months later. Pets that received surgery or chemotherapy had a better chance of survival compared to those who did not. Unfortunately, most of the pets that passed away did so due to euthanasia.
People also search for: dog cancer treatment options · cat ICU care survival rate · chemotherapy for dogs with cancer
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a population of dogs and cats with cancer admitted to the ICU and identify risk factors affecting survival. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study between December 2022 and September 2023. SETTING: Veterinary referral teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Thirty-eight cats and 114 dogs. INTERVENTIONS: All ICU admissions were recorded. For patients with a confirmed or presumed cancer diagnosis, reason for ICU admission, clinicopathologic data, diagnostic imaging results, treatments, survival to discharge and at 90 days postdischarge, and date of death, if applicable, were recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The prevalence of ICU patients with cancer was 13.6% (165/1214 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 11.7-15.7]). A definitive diagnosis was obtained in 106 patients (73.7% [28/38] cats, 68.4% [78/114] dogs). Hematologic neoplasia was the most frequent cancer in cats (64.3% [18/28]), while carcinoma was the most frequent in dogs (37.2% [29/78]). The most frequent reasons for ICU admission were respiratory distress (31.6% [12/38] cats, 20.2% [24/114] dogs) and cardiovascular instability (21.1% [8/38] cats, 20.2% [23/114] dogs). Survival to discharge was 56.6% (44.7% [17/38] cats, 60.5% [69/114] dogs) and at 90 days was 30.6% (21.1% [8/38] cats, 33.9% [37/109] dogs). In the multivariable Cox regression model, oncologic ICU admission was associated with increased hazard of death compared with nononcologic admission (hazard ratio [HR]: 6.06, 95% CI: 2.39-15.36; p < 0.001); surgical treatment was associated with reduced hazard compared with medical treatment (HR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.11-0.38; p < 0.001); chemotherapy was associated with reduced hazard compared with no chemotherapy (HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.73; p = 0.003); and normal albumin concentration in dogs was associated with reduced hazard compared with hypoalbuminemia (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26-0.72; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer was common in this ICU population (prevalence 13.6%). Mortality was high (69.4% 3 months postdischarge), with 88% of deaths resulting from euthanasia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41928648/