Retrospective Study on Liberation in Dogs Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation for Longer Than 24 h.

Vasopressor use should not preclude mechanical ventilation weaning attempts in dogs meeting other criteria.

This retrospective study examined liberation outcomes in 47 dogs mechanically ventilated for ≥24 hours at a university teaching hospital. Of 47 dogs, 24 (51.1%) were successfully liberated, with 22 (91.7%) surviving to discharge. Successful liberation was achieved across multiple ventilation modes: assist control (62.5%), synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (33.3%), and pressure support ventilation (4.2%). Among 48 liberation attempts in 30 dogs, 50% succeeded. End-tidal carbon dioxide was the only physiologic variable significantly different between successful and unsuccessful attempts (higher in unsuccessful cases: 43.7±5.5 vs 35±6.8 mmHg). Notably, 55% of successfully liberated dogs with complete data did not meet current veterinary liberation criteria, primarily due to cardiovascular instability from vasopressor use. The study found no significant difference in liberation success between dogs meeting versus not meeting criteria. These findings suggest current veterinary liberation criteria may be overly restrictive, particularly regarding vasopressor use.

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