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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
A Structured Approach to Extubation in Mechanically Ventilated Rats
Published on: July 18, 2025
Retrospective evaluation of cats with elapid snake envenomation associated neurotoxicity requiring mechanical
Hui Mei Ong1, Kylie Kelers1, Dez Hughes1
1U-Vet Animal Hospital, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
Objective:
To retrospectively determine the population and outcome characteristics of a cohort of Australian elapid snake envenomed cats requiring mechanical ventilation (MV).
Design:
Retrospective observational study (2005-2014).
Setting:
Academic veterinary emergency and critical care service.
Animals:
Twelve cats undergoing MV for elapid snake envenomation.
Interventions:
None.
Measurements And Main Results:
The medical records were searched to identify cats requiring MV as part of treatment for elapid snake envenomation. Signalment, the indication for, duration of and complications associated with MV, duration of hospitalization, and survival to hospital discharge were recorded for each of the enrolled cases. Seven cats (58.3%) underwent MV because of presumed unsustainable respiratory effort and 5 cats (41.7%) for respiratory arrest. Eleven cats (91.7%) were successfully weaned from MV and survived to hospital discharge. No cats developed ventilator associated pneumonia or pneumothorax. The median duration of MV was 19.5 hours for the survivors (range 7.0-37.0 hours) and median duration of hospitalization was 3.5 days (range 2.4-14.9 days).
Conclusions:
Cats requiring MV for elapid snake envenomation have a favorable outcome and require a relatively short period of MV. Complications encountered are unlikely to influence outcome.
