Objectives The aims of this study were to evaluate associations between abnormal head CT findings and outcome, and to examine the prognostic value of the Koret CT score (KCTS) in cats sustaining acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods The medical records of cats hospitalised with TBI that underwent head CT scans within 72 h of admission were retrospectively reviewed. CT scans were evaluated independently by a radiologist and a neurologist who were blinded to the outcome. A KCTS and modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) were assigned to each cat and the association between abnormal CT findings, KCTS, MGCS and outcome were analysed. Results Fourteen cats were included in the study: nine (64.2%) survivors and five (35.7%) non-survivors. Of the nine cats that were discharged, one was a short-term survivor (10 days) and eight (57.1%) were long-term survivors (⩾6 months). Abnormal CT findings included lateral ventricle asymmetry/midline shift (42.8%), intracranial haemorrhage (35.7%), caudotentorial lesions (14.2%) and cranial vault fractures (14.2%), all of which were depressed. Intracranial haemorrhage was found to be significantly and negatively associated with short-term ( P = 0.005) and long-term ( P = 0.023) survival. KCTS was significantly associated with short-term survival ( P = 0.002) and long-term survival ( P = 0.004). A KCTS cut-off value of 2 yielded a 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for short-term survival and 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity for long-term survival. A MGCS cut-off value of ⩾13 was associated with a 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for short-term survival, and with a 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity for long-term survival. Conclusions and relevance KCTS, performed up to 72 h from injury, can be used as an additional diagnostic tool for the prediction of survival in cats with TBI.

SummaryPeriosteal osteosarcoma, a rare neoplasm in dogs, was diagnosed in an eleven- year-old Golden Retriever. In this case, the tumour formed a single, large, fluid filled cyst, that originated from the periosteum of the tibia. Periosteal osteosarcomas are intermediate grade tumours and behave less aggressively than central osteosarcomas, however, they are more malignant than the low grade parosteal osteosarcoma. Cure for periosteal osteosarcoma in people may be achieved in 70-80% of cases by local excision. In this case euthanasia was elected one year post-amputation due to emaciation and lethargy associated with metastatic disease.A cystic periosteal osteosarcoma was diagnosed in an eleven year old Golden Retriever. The tumour originated from the tibia and formed a single large fluid filled cyst. Periosteal osteosarcomas are rare, moderately aggressive tumours that may be differentiated from parosteal, surface, and central osteosarcomas. In this case euthanasia was elected one year post-amputation due to metastatic disease.

Tracheal intubation (TI) is a common procedure that rarely entails life-threatening complications. A 1.5-year-old female spayed cat presented with acute signs of respiratory distress 5 weeks after undergoing TI. Radiographs revealed a marked, segmental, tracheal narrowing. A hard, 5-cm-long, white-yellowish tissue was identified and removed from the trachea, with subsequent resolution of clinical signs and radiographic changes. Microscopically, the tissue consisted of fibrin and lytic neutrophils, interspaced with optically empty cavities and a few remains of talcum powder and hair shafts. Consequently, a diagnosis of obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) was made. A rare complication of TI in humans, OFTP should also be suspected in cats with respiratory distress, a history of TI and radiographic evidence of tracheal narrowing. Based on cases from other species and the cat described herein, the condition can be easily resolved with OFTP removal.