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Stab Wounds 942.e3

Chronic Treatment claws; and evidence of older fractures are abdominal fluid in dogs involved in motor vehicle
associated with nonaccidental injury.
• Short-term antibiotic therapy • Cautious withdrawal of the instrument accidents. J Am Vet Med Assoc 225:1198-1204,
2004.
VetBooks.ir therapy of wounds to allow healing by second should be performed where radiographic, Gerdin JA, et al: Forensic pathology of companion Diseases and Disorders
• Depending on extent of damage, chronic
animal abuse and neglect. Vet Pathol 50(6):994-
surgical, and supportive care (e.g., blood
intention or preparation for skin grafts may
1006, 2013.
be necessary.
after cardiovascular stabilization.
• Remaining foreign material in the wound transfusion) facilities are available and only McGuinness K, et al: Non-accidental injury in
companion animals in the Republic of Ireland. Ir
tract may result in chronic drainage or impair Vet J 58(7):392-396, 2005.
healing. Technician Tips Menard J, et al: Colonic, ureteral, and vascular injuries
• Because a stab wound can be small exter- secondary to stick impalement in a dog. J Vet Emerg
Possible Complications nally, it may go undetected in an animal Crit Care 21(4):387-394, 2011.
• Unidentified laceration to the diaphragm with only vague signs. Clipping of hair and Munro HMC, et al: Battered pets: nonaccidental
can result in a diaphragmatic hernia days close inspection of the skin are recommended physical injuries found in dogs and cats. J Small
Anim Pract 42:279-290, 2001.
to years later. when a small cutaneous wound exists in an ill
• Sepsis animal and/or when the history is consistent
with a stab wound. RELATED CLIENT EDUCATION
PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME • Because removal of an embedded blade may SHEETS
inflict additional tissue trauma, the injured
Depends on location and severity of injury and animal should be kept quiet and as immobile Consent to Perform Abdominal Ultrasound
response to therapy as possible in the field. Consent to Perform Abdominocentesis
• Contact local law enforcement, animal Consent to Perform General Anesthesia
PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS control, or your local animal shelter for Consent to Perform Radiography
information on reporting animal abuse. Consent to Perform Thoracocentesis
Comments How to Assemble and Use an Elizabethan Collar
• Survey radiography or advanced imaging SUGGESTED READING How to Provide General Postoperative Care
(e.g., CT, MRI) may identify internal injuries Intarapanich NP, et al: Characterization and at Home, Especially Lifting or Picking Up
such as hematoma, abscess, or subcutaneous comparison of injuries caused by accidental and a Pet, and Pain Control
emphysema. Healed previous injuries may non-accidental blunt force trauma in dogs and cats. How to Stop Bleeding from a Laceration or
also be appreciated (e.g., rib fractures) in J Forensic Sci 61(4):993-999, 2016. Wound
patients that have been prior victims of AUTHORS: April L. Paul, DVM, DACVECC; Mary
malicious injury. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED Aslanian, DVM, DACVECC
• Compared with motor vehicle accident inju- READINGS EDITOR: Benjamin M. Brainard, VMD, DACVAA,
ries, fractures of the skull, teeth, vertebrae, Boysen SR, et al: Evaluation of a focused assessment DACVECC
and ribs; scleral hemorrhage; damage to with sonography for trauma protocol to detect free

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