title: General management considerations for the trauma patient.
abstract: Proper evaluation, nursing care, physical therapy, and attention to the patient's general comfort are essential to the successful management of animals with severe trauma. Evaluation is important because failure to identify all injuries early in the management of a trauma patient may have unfavorable effects on the eventual outcome of the case. Once therapy is underway, ensuring the patient's comfort, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, and providing a well-planned rehabilitation program are essential to speed an enhance the recovery of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Payne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000293:injuries*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000662:veterinary; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards; D014218:Triage; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents