Mechanical ventilation of a cloned calf in respiratory failure

Abstract

Objective: To report the use of mechanical ventilation in a calf suffering from respiratory failure. Case summary: A full‐term clone calf born by cesarean section showed signs of respiratory failure that did not respond to intranasal oxygen therapy. Thoracic radiographs were compatible with a diffuse interstitial and alveolar pattern. The calf was successfully managed with 3 days of mechanical ventilation and was eventually discharged from the hospital following further therapy for sepsis. Unique information provided: This is the first description of mechanical ventilation in a calf suffering from hypercapnic respiratory failure. Mechanical ventilation may be useful in the treatment of high pedigree merit calves. The procedure was well tolerated and the calf was able to drink easily during nasotracheal ventilation.

Respiratory Disease in Neonatal Cloned Calves

“…Blood gas analysis was performed at intervals varying from 15 minutes to 2 hours and allowed the respirator to be adjusted to the needs of each calf. The objectives of mechanical ventilation were similar to those previously published in cloned calves 16 . A Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV) mode was used in all calves.…”

“…The administration of INO is a common supportive treatment used in large animals 16,27–29 . In this retrospective study, the decision to initiate the INO was based on an analysis of arterial blood gases when available.…”

“…The use of mechanical ventilation has been reported in equine neonatal intensive care units 29–31 . There are only two publications reporting the use of mechanical ventilation in cattle, both in newborn cloned calves 7,16 . Newborn calves tolerated mechanical ventilation without sedation and nasotracheal intubation allows calves to continue suckling while on a respirator.…”

Respiratory Support for Pharmacologically Induced Hypoxia in Neonatal Calves

“…However, there is evidence of detrimental effects of oxygen delivery on respiratory physiology and cerebral blood flow [ 15 , 16 ] and treatment failure may occur due to vascular shunting [ 13 ], hypoventilation, prematurity, and decreased surfactant [ 14 ]. Synchronised intermittent mandatory ventilation has been used to mechanically ventilate calves that did not respond to oxygen insufflation [ 13 , 17 ] in a dedicated research and specialist hospital facility, with modest survival to discharge. Pharmacological agents, such as doxapram and methylxanthines, have been used as respiratory stimulants [ 18 ] but have the potential to reduce cerebral blood flow and may result in negative long-term neurological complications.…”