Thoracic Trauma (Feline)

"Tina",  a 16 year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat, was presented because of difficulty breathing. She was exhibiting a mild degree of physiological shock and had noticeable labored respirations and pain about her chest and abdominal areas. It was suspected that she had been hit by a car.

Thoracic and abdominal radiographs were taken. The diaphragm was found to be intact with mild to moderate contusions of the lungs. The most noticeable radiographic change was numerous fractured ribs which caused an entire section of rib cage to be depressed inward (arrows). "Tina" was treated for shock with intravenous fluids as well as corticosteroids and antibiotics. Because of her advanced age, it was decided that surgical correction of the rib cage was not indicated. "Tina" made an uneventful recovery.