Retrospective Evaluation of the Association of Pulmonary Contusion Volume as Assessed by Computed Tomography With Mortality and Provision of Mechanical Ventilation in Traumatized Dogs (2019–2023): 27 Cases

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between the percentage of pulmonary contusion volume (PPCV) found on computed tomography (CT) and survival to discharge or implementation of mechanical ventilation (MV) in a cohort of dogs with thoracic trauma. DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter study (March 2019 to April 2023). SETTING: Two veterinary teaching hospitals and one diagnostic imaging telemedicine service. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven client-owned dogs with thoracic trauma and CT findings compatible with pulmonary contusions. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical records were retrospectively searched for dogs with thoracic trauma and CT findings compatible with pulmonary contusions. Demographic parameters, PPCV, presence of pneumothorax or pleural effusion, number of fractured ribs, provision of MV, and outcome were recorded. CT studies were reviewed, and PPCV was calculated using commercial software following a standardized protocol. Nonsurvivors had a higher PPCV (median, 49.6% [range, 4.2-81.3]) than survivors (median, 6.5% [range, 0.1-52.9]; p = 0.005). Dogs that received MV also had a higher PPCV (median, 41.4% [range, 4.2-81.3]) compared with dogs that did not (median, 7.5% [range, 0.1-66.7]; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: In this population of dogs with thoracic trauma, nonsurvivors and dogs that received MV had a higher PPCV, as evidenced by CT.