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

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 ( n = 18), non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema ( n = 16), and trauma ( n = 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 ( P = 0.032). English bulldogs were over-represented with pneumonia. No association between age and survival to discharge ( P = 0.716) or outcome ( P = 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.
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