title: Management of pelvic trauma: neurological damage, urinary tract disruption and pelvic fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cats commonly present with pelvic trauma following road traffic accidents (RTAs). A logical step-wise approach to diagnostics and subsequent management can significantly improve the prognosis in the majority of cases. This article provides a practical guide to assist decision-making and optimise management of these cats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Affected cats may have sustained trauma to several body systems and, hence, their management can be complex, requiring good clinical, diagnostic and surgical skills (often both soft tissue and orthopaedic!).
  
  
  METHODS
  Any cat allowed access to the outdoors is potentially at risk of being involved in an RTA and sustaining pelvic trauma. Young male cats are most commonly affected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Many original articles and textbook chapters have been published on aspects of pelvic trauma. However, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first comprehensive overview of the assessment and management of the feline pelvic trauma case. The review begins by discussing initial triage and neurological examination, and then focuses, in turn, on assessment and management of the 'tail pull' injury, the diagnosis and management of urinary tract rupture, and the approach to managing specific pelvic fractures.
authors.affiliation: The Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, London University, Hawkshead Lane, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. rmeeson@rvc.ac.uk
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meeson
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corr
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000293:injuries; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000293:injuries*