Indications and outcomes for puppies undergoing mechanical ventilation: 59 cases (2006 to 2020).

Abstract

The medical records of 59 puppies from 6 hospitals undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) between 2006 and 2020 were reviewed to describe the signalment, underlying disease, duration of ventilation, and outcome. The most common underlying diseases were pneumonia (= 18), non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (= 16), and trauma (= 8). Twenty-six (44%) puppies were weaned from the ventilator. The overall survival rate was 39% (23/59) including 19 non-brachycephalic dogs and 4 brachycephalics. Median duration of mechanical ventilation was 27 hours (range: 4 to 144 hours). Brachycephalic dogs were less likely to survive than nonbrachycephalic dogs (= 0.032). English bulldogs were over-represented with pneumonia. No association between age and survival to discharge (= 0.716) or outcome (= 0.579) was detected. The survival rate, and underlying disease process and severity for mechanically ventilated puppies was similar to previous studies in adult dogs.