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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Cats injured by falling onto spikes from second story windows

By Pratschke, K M & Kirby, B M·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2002·Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: High rise syndrome with impalement in three cats.

Species:
cat
Breathing & coughCats

Plain-English summary

Three cats were brought to the vet after falling from a second-story window and getting impaled on metal railings. Two of the cats had serious chest injuries, while the third had an abdominal injury that ruptured the spleen. After stabilizing their conditions, the vets performed surgery on all three cats. Fortunately, two of the cats recovered well after their surgeries, one with a chest injury and the other with an abdominal injury.

People also search for: cat fall from window injury · cat impalement treatment · high rise syndrome in cats

Abstract

Three cats were presented for management of impalement injuries sustained following falls from second storey windows onto spiked metal railings. Two cats presented with penetrating thoracic wounds and extensive pulmonary parenchymal trauma, while one presented with abdominal impalement and splenic rupture. Following stabilisation, all three cats underwent exploratory surgery. A good outcome was achieved in two of the cats: one with thoracic and one with abdominal penetration. Impalement injury secondary to free fallis a previously unreported variation of 'high rise syndrome' in cats.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12074291/