Ventilatory failure, ventilator management, and outcome in dogs with cervical spinal disorders: 14 cases (1991-1999)

Objective-To determine the incidence of and risk factors for ventilatory fa ilure in dogs undergoing surgery for treatment of cervical spinal disorders and to document ventilator management, clinical course, and long-term outc ome of dogs that experienced ventilatory failure in association with cervic al spinal disorders or their management. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-14 dogs. Procedure-Dogs with cervical spinal disorders that required positive-pressu re ventilation (PPV) were identified, and signalment, concurrent diseases, neurologic status at initial examination, clinical course, pulmonary functi on before, during, and after PPV, management techniques, complications, and outcome were recorded. Dogs that underwent surgery and required PPV were c ompared with dogs that underwent cervical spinal surgery during the same pe riod that did not require PPV. Results-14 dogs with cervical spinal disorders required PPV to treat hypove ntilation, including 13 of 263 (4.9%) dogs that underwent surgery for cervi cal spinal disorders. lesions between the second and fourth cervical verteb rae and treatment by means of a dorsal decompressive laminectomy were assoc iated with a significantly increased risk of perioperative hypoventilation. Pulmonary gas exchange function was normal or nearly normal throughout the course of PPV in dogs that survived. Ten dogs survived, and 9 of the 10 re gained neurologic function. All 9 dogs that regained neurologic function ha d deep pain perception on initial examination at the veterinary teaching ho spital. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that a small percentage of dogs with cervical spinal disorders may require perioperative ventilator y support. With prolonged PPV and aggressive management, a good outcome may be achieved in dogs similar to those described in the present study.