Intrathoracic and concurrent orthopedic injury associated with traumatic rib fracture in cats: 75 cases (1980-1998).
OBJECTIVE
To characterize rib, intrathoracic, and concurrent orthopedic injuries, and prognosis associated with traumatic rib fracture in cats.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
75 cats.


METHODS
Medical records from January 1980 to August 1998 were examined for cats with traumatic rib fracture. Signalment, cause of trauma, interval from trauma to evaluation at a veterinary teaching hospital, referral status and date, method of diagnosis, duration of hospitalization, number and location of rib fractures, presence of flail chest, costal cartilage involvement, intrathoracic and concurrent orthopedic injury, and clinical outcome were reviewed.


RESULTS
Median age was 3 years. Twenty-five (58%) cats with reported cause of trauma were injured by interaction with another animal. Forty-seven (78%) cats that were treated survived. Cats that died had a median duration of hospitalization of < 1 day. Ten (13%) cats had flail chest. Sixty-five (87%) cats had intrathoracic injury (median, 2 injuries). Nine (100%) cats without detected intrathoracic injury that were treated survived. Thirty-five (47%) cats had concurrent orthopedic injury. Cats with flail chest, pleural effusion, or diaphragmatic hernia were significantly more likely to die than cats without each injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Traumatic rib fracture in cats is associated with intrathoracic and concurrent orthopedic injury. Aggressive treatment of cats with traumatic rib fracture is warranted, because the prognosis is generally favorable. Diagnosis and treatment of intrathoracic injury associated with traumatic rib fracture in cats should precede management of concurrent orthopedic injury.
Kraje
B J
BJ
Midland Pet Emergency Center, Alcoa, TN 37701-2105, USA.
Kraje
A C
AC
Rohrbach
B W
BW
Anderson
K A
KA
Marks
S L
SL
Macintire
D K
DK
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005409:Flail Chest / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*