Cause and clinical characteristics of rib fractures in cats: 33 cases (2000-2009).
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the clinical features and population differences among cats sustaining traumatic and nontraumatic rib fractures.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
University small animal hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-three cats with radiographic evidence of rib fractures.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Cats with rib fractures were identified by performing a computer search of the radiology database. Thirty-three cats that sustained rib fractures were identified between January 2000 and September 2009. Seventeen cats had fractures due to trauma and 16 were deemed to occur from nontraumatic causes. A Mann-Whitney rank-sum test revealed statistically significant differences in the median ages between the 2 groups. Older cats were more likely to sustain rib fractures as a result of a presumed nontraumatic causes. A Chi-square analysis showed that nontraumatic fractures occurred significantly more often in the midbody region and involved the 9th-13th ribs. The majority of cats with presumed nontraumatic rib fracture had respiratory disease; the remaining cats had chronic renal disease or neoplasia. Cats with traumatic rib fractures had external signs of trauma.


CONCLUSIONS
Rib fractures in cats may be clearly associated with trauma, or may be an incidental finding in cats with comorbidities. Cats with diseases that cause prolonged respiratory effort or coughing, metabolic diseases, or certain neoplasms, are at increased risk of spontaneous nontraumatic rib fractures.
Adams
Christine
C
Eastern Iowa Specialty Center, Cedar Rapids, IA 52317, USA.
Streeter
Elizabeth M
EM
King
Ryan
R
Rozanski
Elizabeth
E
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries*; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012582:Schools, Veterinary; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary