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Surgical management of multi‐system trauma in a cat
Author(s) -
EATONWELLS RICHARD D.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1981.tb00606.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ataxia , avulsion , proprioception , exploratory laparotomy , surgery , blunt trauma , dorsum , weakness , dexamethasone , anesthesia , anatomy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , radiology , psychiatry
A cat was presented in coma following severe trauma. The cat was alert and walking within 24 hours, after treatment with intravenous dexamethasone and mannitol. However, he subsequently began to show evidence of severe abdominal pain. An exploratory laparotomy revealed traumatic avulsion of the left limb of the pancreas. A sub‐total pancreatectomy was performed and the cat recovered well. Two weeks post‐operatively, the cat was re‐presented with ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, and upper motor neuron weakness in all four limbs. Radiographs revealed a fracture/luxation of C1–C2 which could not be adequately stabilized solely via a dorsal approach. A combined ventral and dorsal approach produced stabilization of the cervical spine which was clinically successful. Two months post‐operatively there was stability but malalignment of C1–C2, and the cat appeared normal.