Hyperglycemia in dogs and cats with head trauma: 122 cases (1997-1999).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether hyperglycemia is associated with head trauma in dogs and cats and whether the degree of hyperglycemia corresponds to severity of neurologic injury or outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
52 dogs and 70 cats with head trauma and 122 age- and species-matched control dogs and cats.


METHODS
Severity of head trauma was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Blood glucose concentrations recorded within 1 hour after admission were compared between case and control animals and among groups when case animals were grouped on the basis of severity of head trauma or outcome.


RESULTS
Blood glucose concentration was significantly associated with severity of head trauma in dogs and cats and was significantly higher in dogs and cats with head trauma than in the control animals. However, blood glucose concentration was not associated with outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that dogs and cats with head trauma may have hyperglycemia and that degree of hyperglycemia was associated with severity of head trauma. However, degree of hyperglycemia was not associated with outcome for dogs and cats with head trauma. Because hyperglycemia can potentiate neurologic injury, iatrogenic hyperglycemia should be avoided in patients with head trauma.
Syring
R S
RS
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Otto
C M
CM
Drobatz
K J
KJ
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose