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Clinical Management of Traumatic Episodes in Veterinary Patients
Traumatic episodes represent a significant portion of emergency veterinary presentations, requiring systematic evaluation and stabilization. This guide details the prioritization of care using the Triage-Primary-Secondary Survey methodology to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Clinical summary
- Clinical signs
- Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, altered mentation, overt hemorrhage, mucosal pallor, or non-weight bearing lameness.
- Possible causes
- Blunt force trauma (MVCs, falls), penetrating wounds (animal bites, gunshot), thermal injuries, and electrical shock.
- Diagnostic approach
- Multimodal approach: Primary survey (ABCDE), focused ultrasound (AFAST/TFAST), thoracic and abdominal radiography, and clinicopathologic evaluation (PCV/TP, lactate, blood gas).
- Management
- Immediate stabilization of airways and ventilation, circulatory support via intravenous fluid therapy or blood products, analgesia, and surgical intervention where indicated.
References
- [1]Silverstein, D.C.. Small Animal Critical Care Medicine (2014)
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