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Evaluation of freshwater submersion in small animals: 28 cases (1996–2006)
- Source :
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 232:244-248
- Publication Year :
- 2008
- Publisher :
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 2008.
-
Abstract
- Objective—To determine clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcome in dogs and cats evaluated after submersion in freshwater. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—25 dogs and 3 cats. Procedures—Medical records were reviewed for signalment; causes, location, and month of submersion; physical examination findings at admission; results of blood gas analysis; treatments administered; duration of hospitalization; and outcome, including evidence of organ failure or compromise. Results—All submersions involved bodies of freshwater. Fourteen animals were submerged in man-made water sources, 13 were submerged in natural water sources, and the body of water was not recorded in 1 case. Twenty (71%) submersions occurred from May through September. Cause was identified in 16 animals and included extraordinary circumstances (n = 6), falling into water (5), breaking through ice (3), and intentional submersion (2). Twelve animals were found submerged in water with unclear surrounding circumstances. Treatment included administration of supplemental oxygen, antimicrobials, furosemide, corticosteroids, and aminophylline and assisted ventilation. Respiratory dysfunction was detected in 21 animals. Neurologic dysfunction was detected in 12 animals, hepatocellular compromise was detected in 6 animals, and cardiovascular dysfunction was detected in 4 animals. Three dogs had hematologic dysfunction, and 2 dogs had acute renal dysfunction. Eighteen (64%) animals survived to hospital discharge, but all of the cats died. In 9 of 10 nonsurvivors, respiratory tract failure was the cause of death or reason for euthanasia. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that submersion is an uncommon reason for veterinary evaluation but is associated with a good prognosis in dogs in the absence of respiratory tract failure.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Injury control
Multiple Organ Failure
Respiratory Tract Diseases
Treatment outcome
Water source
Submersion (coastal management)
Poison control
Physical examination
Cat Diseases
Dogs
Near Drowning
Immersion
medicine
Animals
Dog Diseases
Retrospective Studies
Blood gas analysis
Drowning
General Veterinary
medicine.diagnostic_test
business.industry
Natural water
Length of Stay
Surgery
Treatment Outcome
Cats
Female
Seasons
Blood Gas Analysis
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 00031488
- Volume :
- 232
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....4961a032b9902bfc97850565738cfd6f