Evaluation of Emergency Trauma Protocols in Cats Presenting to Pet Clinics: A Survey Study

Abstract

Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cats and requires rapid, systematic emergency intervention. This study evaluated emergency trauma management protocols implemented in pet clinics and identified potential deficiencies in clinical practice. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 380 companion animal veterinary clinics. Data on emergency approaches, diagnostic procedures, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed. Participating clinics reported that traumatized cats were predominantly male (71.6%) and mixed-breed (87.1%), with the highest frequency in cats aged 12-24 months (68.7%). Falls from height were the predominant trauma etiology (97.9%), and trauma was reported most frequently during summer (61.6%). Initial emergency management prioritized circulation (69.5%) and airway assessment (66.6%), whereas breathing assessment was less frequently emphasized (28.4%). radiographic examinations during the initial evaluation were reported in 11.8% of trauma cases, whereas abdominal focused assessment with sonography for trauma/thoracic focused assessment with sonography for trauma examinations were used in 43.0% of clinics. Intensive care, oxygen therapy, and fluid therapy were implemented in all clinics (100%). Thoracocentesis and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were reported to be performed by 15.5% and 19.2% of clinics, respectively. The mean trauma-related mortality rate was 19.9±8.4%. No significant associations were found between trauma etiology and sex, neuter status, or season (p>0.05), whereas landing surface was significantly associated with permanent injury type (χ²=13.69, p=0.025). In conclusion, trauma management generally followed fundamental emergency principles; however, variability in diagnostic approaches, highlights the need for standardized emergency trauma assessment and diagnostic protocols in veterinary practice.

Keywords

• Cat
• emergency protocol
• survey study
• trauma

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), Scientist Support Programs Presidency (BİDEB), under the 2209-A Program for Supporting Research Projects of University Students, 1st term of 2024, Project Application No: 1919B012461336.

Project Number

1919B012461336

Ethical Statement

The experimental protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Animal Experiments at Bingöl University Health Sciences Application and Research Center (24/06/2025-07-26).

Thanks

This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK-BİDEB, 2209-A, 2024-1st Term, Project No: 1919B012461336).

Evaluation of Emergency Trauma Protocols in Cats Presenting to Pet Clinics: A Survey Study

Abstract

Kediler, en sık tercih edilen evcil hayvanlar arasında yer almakta olup, aktif yaşam tarzları nedeniyle trafik kazaları, yüksekten düşme ve penetran yaralanmalar gibi travmatik olaylara sıklıkla maruz kalmaktadır. Bu hastalarda sağkalımın ve klinik sonuçların iyileştirilmesi açısından hızlı ve uygun acil müdahale büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışmada, pet kliniklerinde acil protokollerin uygulanışının değerlendirilmesi, klinik yönetimdeki olası eksikliklerin belirlenmesi ve standart bir acil yaklaşımın geliştirilmesine katkı sağlanması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla, 380 veteriner hekimin katılımıyla anket temelli bir çalışma gerçekleştirilmiş ve acil vakalara yaklaşımları; medikal tedaviler, görüntüleme yöntemlerinin zamanlaması ve kardiyopulmoner resüsitasyon (CPR) uygulamaları açısından incelenmiştir. Bu çalışmadan elde edilen bulguların, mevcut klinik uygulamalara ışık tutması ve pet kliniklerinde acil protokollerin geliştirilmesi ile standardizasyonuna katkı sağlaması beklenmektedir.

Keywords

• Emergency protocol
• Survey study
• kedi
• Trauma

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma, Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu (TÜBİTAK), Bilim İnsanı Destek Programları Başkanlığı (BİDEB) tarafından, 2024 yılı 1. dönem 2209-A Üniversite Öğrencileri Araştırma Projeleri Destekleme Programı kapsamında desteklenmiştir.

Project Number

1919B012461336

Ethical Statement

Deneysel protokol, Bingöl Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi Hayvan Deneyleri Yerel Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır (24/06/2025-07-26).

Thanks

Bu çalışma, Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu (TÜBİTAK-BİDEB, 2209-A, 2024-1. dönem, Proje No: 1919B012461336) tarafından desteklenmiştir.

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