Spinal cord trauma by air gun projectiles in five cats

Abstract

Spinal cord trauma induced by ballistic projectiles is considered uncommon in domestic animals, particularly in cats. Outdoor, and indoor-outdoor cats are at greater risk of receiving gunshot wounds. Despite their small size, moderate speed and poor aerodynamic design, projectiles from compressed air guns (pellet guns) can cause severe injury. Treatment and prognosis of animals presented with gun-related injuries can vary considerably, depending on the affected spinal segment location of the lesions, and extent of tissue damage. Due to the unusual occurrence, of this type of trauma in feline patients, the goal of this report is to describe the neurologic, radiographic, and surgical findings in five cats with spinal injury secondary to air gun projectiles.