Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How vets check chest injuries in cats after trauma
By Mansbridge, Nicola et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2024·Davies Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Physical examination and CT to assess thoracic injury in 137 cats presented to UK referral hospitals after trauma.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 137 cats that suffered trauma, mostly from road accidents, were examined for breathing problems and other symptoms. Many showed signs like rapid breathing and pale gums, while CT scans revealed issues such as lung collapse, bruising, and fluid in the chest. Some cats needed treatments like draining fluid from the chest. The study found that even cats with no visible symptoms could still have serious internal injuries detected by CT scans, highlighting the importance of thorough examinations after trauma.
People also search for: cat breathing problems after trauma · cat chest fluid treatment · signs of injury in cats after car accident
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe clinical examination and thoracic CT (TCT) findings in cats after trauma, and to identify physical examination findings associated with both abnormalities on TCT and the need for therapeutic interventions. METHODS: A multicentre, retrospective, observational study was conducted. Cats admitted to the participating hospitals with a history of blunt trauma and that underwent TCT were eligible. Data were collected on signalment, history, physical examination, TCT findings and subsequent interventions. RESULTS: In total, 137 cats were included. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the most frequently reported cause of trauma (69%). Tachypnoea (32%), pale mucous membranes (22%) and dyspnoea (20%) were the most common abnormal findings on thoracic examination. The most frequently identified thoracic pathologies on TCT were atelectasis (34%), pulmonary contusions (33%), pneumothorax (29%) and pleural effusion (20%). Thoracocentesis was the most commonly performed intervention (12%), followed by chest drain placement (7%). A total of 45 (33%) cats had no physical examination abnormalities but did have abnormalities detected on TCT; six of these cats required interventions. Increasing numbers of thoracic abnormalities on clinical examination were associated with increasing likelihood of having abnormal findings on TCT (odds ratio [OR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-3.44, = 0.008) and of requiring an intervention (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.32-2.51,<0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: RTAs were the most common reported cause of blunt trauma. Atelectasis, pulmonary contusions and pneumothorax were the most common abnormalities identified on TCT, and thoracic drainage was the most utilised intervention. TCT may be useful in identifying cats with normal thoracic physical examination findings that have significant thoracic pathology, and a high number of abnormal findings on thoracic examination should raise suspicion for both minor and major thoracic pathology. The results of this study can be used to assist in selecting appropriate cases for TCT after blunt trauma.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38415622/