Prospective evaluation of the Animal Trauma Triage Score and Modified Glasgow Coma Scale in 25 cats with high-rise syndrome

Abdominal fluid score as a predictor of transfusion needs and outcome in cats following trauma

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of the abdominal fluid score (AFS) in cats following trauma in determining surgical needs, transfusion needs, and mortality.

DESIGN

Multicenter retrospective observational study utilizing data from the Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) registry.

SETTING

VetCOT Veterinary Trauma Centers.

ANIMALS

A total of 2309 cats entered into the VetCOT registry between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2020, were included.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of the included cats, 148 had abdominal effusion on presentation (AFS 1-4, positive AFS [pAFS]). pAFS cats demonstrated a lower total plasma protein (6.2 g/dL, range: 2.8-9.2 g/dL vs 6.8 g/dL, range: 2.6-11 g/dL, P < 0.001) and a more negative base excess (BE) (-9, range: -23.7 to 10 vs -6.1, range: -31.7 to 1, P = 0.001) than cats without abdominal effusion (negative AFS [nAFS]). pAFS cats also had a higher baseline Animal Trauma Triage score (ATTS) than nAFS cats (5, range 0-12 vs 3, range 0-17, respectively, P < 0.001). pAFS cats were more likely to require blood transfusions (16% [23/148] vs 4% [94/2161], P < 0.001) than nAFS cats, but need for surgical intervention did not differ between groups. A pAFS was associated with increased need for hospitalization (62.8% [93/148] vs 47.7% [1030/2160], P < 0.001), but length of hospital stay did not differ. Cats with pAFS experienced higher mortality compared to nAFS cats (42.6% [63/148] vs 22.7% [491/2161], P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The presence of abdominal effusion in cats following trauma was associated with increased morbidity in this study, as demonstrated by greater need for transfusion, increased likelihood of hospitalization, and greater mortality. Cats in the pAFS group had more negative BE and higher ATTS, but need for surgery, length of hospitalization, PCV, and blood glucose, plasma lactate, and ionized calcium concentrations were not different between groups.

Survival Rate of High-Rise Syndrome Cases Using Animal Trauma Triage Score in Cats

OBJECTIVE

 To assess the data of high-rise syndrome (HRS) cases and determine the relationship between Animal Trauma Triage Score (ATTS), height, injury profile, and survival rate of patients.

STUDY DESIGN

 Retrospective study evaluating cats with HRS within a 4-year period.

RESULTS

 A logistic regression analysis which included height, ground type, and ATTS variables was performed to predict survival rate of patients. Only ATTS was significant among these variables (p < 0.001) and each point increase in ATTS increased the nonsurvival by 0.46 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.347-0.624). The receiver operating curve indicates that ATTS is good at predicting mortality (area under the curve: 0.857; 95% CI: 0.788-0.926; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

 The height of the fall, injury type, or ground type do not seem to be accurate in estimating the survival rate in HRS patients. Established scoring systems such as ATTS should be used to determine survival rates in future HRS studies.

Potential Factors Influencing Complete Functional Recovery in Traumatized Unowned Cats with Orthopedic Lesions-A Cohort Study

The management of unowned cats is an emerging problem, with public institutions and citizens' concerns regarding their care and arrangement. Little is known regarding the outcome of traumatic orthopedic injuries in these patients. Indeed, complete functional recovery (CFR) should be the goal of treatment for return to their original location or adoption. The aim was to identify clinical factors influencing CFR in traumatized unowned cats with orthopedic lesions. This category of cats referred by the veterinary public service over three years was enrolled. Various clinical variables were retrospectively collected from the medical records and evaluated by nominal logistic analysis. Forty-eight unowned cats were enrolled, with a median estimated age of 24 (1-180) months and a body weight of 3 (0.7-5) kg. Thirty-four (71%) patients reached CFR. Estimated age, body weight, time from trauma to therapeutic intervention, spine involvement, presence of comorbidities, hospitalization time, and the radiographic score results were significantly associated with CFR. A longer time to therapeutic intervention seemed to be associated with a better outcome. Probably, cats severely traumatized did not live long enough to be evaluated and treated. Lighter cats experienced more severe consequences following blunt trauma. Younger and lighter cats bore a higher risk of panleukopenia-related death.

Clinical parameters at time of admission as prognostic indicators in cats presented for trauma to an emergency centre in New Zealand: a retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to describe the clinical features of cats presented for trauma in a first-opinion and referral teaching hospital in New Zealand, and to determine the relationship between those features and outcome.

METHODS

The electronic medical records of cats presented for trauma to the Massey University Pet Emergency Centre between September 2013 and January 2019 were examined, from which the signalment, clinical parameters and patient outcomes were extracted. Cases were assigned an Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) score and Modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) score. Variables were selected for inclusion in a logistic regression model to predict survival, and backward elimination was used to find the minimal significant model.

RESULTS

In total, 530 cats met the inclusion criteria. The cause of injury was not known in the majority of cases (38.0%). The most common location of injury was the hindlimbs/pelvis/tail (n = 247; 41%), and skin lacerations/abrasions were the most common specific injury. Multivariate analysis revealed altered mentation (odds ratio [OR] 0.31, P = 0.029), hypothermia (rectal temperature <37.8°C [<100.04°F]; OR 0.45, P = 0.015) and an ATT score ⩾5 (OR 0.13, P <0.001) to be statistically significantly associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Altered mentation and hypothermia are easily measurable perfusion parameter abnormalities associated with mortality in cats presenting with trauma. The ATT score appears to be an accurate prognostic indicator in cats presenting with trauma in New Zealand. These results highlight the importance of incorporating a hands-on triage examination in each cat that presents as an emergency after trauma.