Suggested management of thoracic bite trauma is controversial, with recommendations ranging from conservative treatment to exploratory thoracic surgery for all cases. The purpose of this retrospective study was to report a case series of dogs and cats with thoracic bite trauma; to describe associated clinical findings, management, and outcomes; and to evaluate potential risk factors for mortality. Sixty-two cases (54 dogs, 8 cats) with a total of 65 bite wounds were collected. Lesions were categorized by depth of penetration (ie, no open wound, superficial, deep, or penetrating); thoracic radiograph reports were reviewed; and lesion management was classified as nonsurgical, wound exploration, or explorative thoracotomy. Radiographic lesions (eg, lung contusions, rib fractures, pneumothorax, pleural effusion) were present in 77% of dogs and 100% of cats with radiographic reports, including 22% of patients that had been presented with normal respiratory patterns. Overall mortality was 15.4%, with half attributed to owner-elected euthanasia. Neither the number of radiographic lesions nor the presence of respiratory distress correlated with mortality. None of the variables analyzed (eg, wound classification, treatment type) correlated with mortality.
The authors concluded that in thoracic bite trauma patients, penetrating injuries or the presence of >3 radiographic lesions are prognostic for the need for thoracic exploration. They recommend wound exploration for all other cases, with conversion to thoracotomy if thoracic body wall disruption is detected.