Breathing rates and patterns in dogs and cats in intensive care units

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Information on respiratory rate and breathing pattern of dogs and cats in intensive care units is limited. This study aimed to evaluate whether respiratory rate differed in dogs and cats in the intensive care unit when monitored via camera surveillance (Cam+) compared to traditional cage-side monitoring (Cam-) at various times during the intensive care unit stay, between animals treated for left-sided congestive heart failure, respiratory diseases and other conditions, and if associations existed between respiratory rate and breathing pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Privately owned dogs (n = 41) and cats (n = 60) treated and monitored in the intensive care units of two small animal hospitals were enrolled in this study. The animals' respiratory rate and breathing pattern were observed with Cam- and Cam+ throughout their intensive care unit stay. RESULTS: For both species, median respiratory rate throughout the entire intensive care unit stay was lower when measured with Cam+ (dogs: 30/min, cats: 27/min) compared to Cam- (dogs: 34/min, cats: 31/min) and lower closer to discharge, when observed with both Cam+ (dogs: 22/min, cats: 26/min) and Cam- (dogs: 24/min, cats: 27/min), compared to 1 hour after admission (Cam+; dogs: 38/minutes, cats: 31/minutes and Cam-; dogs: 37/minutes, cats: 36/minutes). Animals with left-sided congestive heart failure or respiratory disease had higher respiratory rate than those with other conditions and animals with anormal breathing pattern had higher respiratory rate than those with normal breathing pattern. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Respiratory rates were influenced by monitoring technique, clinical condition, time point and breathing pattern. Camera surveillance of respiratory rate may be valuable for monitoring treatment outcomes in animals admitted to intensive care unit.