Respiratory Failure In A French Bulldog With Suspected Acute Polyradiculoneuropathy

A 3-year-old male neutered French Bulldog presented with acute respiratory failure following a period of progressive non-ambulatory tetraparesis and generalised reduced muscle tone and spinal reflexes. Acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuropathy was suspected. Deep sedation and mechanical ventilation were required for a 40-h period, after which the dog was successfully weaned off mechanical ventilation. Two earlier attempts to wean were unsuccessful due to ongoing intercostal muscular paresis and, hence, hypercapnia. Non-ambulatory tetraparesis remained with progressively improving muscular tone and mobility up to discharge from hospital 10 days following admission. Clinical management of the respiratory failure is described in detail and is the focus of this report.