Summary
The objective of this retrospective study was to assess radiographical and surgical
findings, surgical management and outcome of penetrating injuries in dogs and cats
by evaluating patient records. Sixteen patients were identified (15 dogs and one cat),
four with gunshot wounds, and 12 with fight wounds (11 with bite wounds, one struck
by a claw). The thoracic cavity was affected in six patients, the abdominal cavity
in three cases. Both cavities were affected in five dogs and the trachea in two cases.
All of the patients with fight wounds were small breed dogs. Multiple injuries to
internal organs that required intervention were found surgically after gunshot wounds
and a high amount of soft tissue trauma requiring reconstruction was present after
fight wounds. Radiography diagnosed body wall disruption in two cases. All of the
affected thoracic body walls in the fight group had intercostal muscle disruptions
which was diagnosed surgically. Fourteen patients survived until discharge and had
a good outcome. In conclusion, penetrating injuries should be explored as they are
usually accompanied by severe damage to either the internal organs or to the body
wall. A high level of awareness is required to properly determine the degree of trauma
of intercostal muscle disruption in thoracic fight wounds.
Keywords
Fight wounds - gunshot wounds - surgical exploration - dog - Cat