Feline high-rise syndrome: 119 cases (1998–2001)

• Published in: Journal of feline medicine and surgery Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 305 - 312
• Main Authors: Vnuk, D., Pirkić, B., Matičić, D., Radišić, B., Stejskal, M., Babić, T., Kreszinger, M., Lemo, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2004; SAGE Publications
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Animals; Cats - injuries; Croatia - epidemiology; Female; Fractures, Bone - epidemiology; Fractures, Bone - veterinary; Housing, Animal; Male; Records - veterinary; Retrospective Studies; Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology; Wounds and Injuries - veterinary
• ISSN: 1098-612X; 1532-2750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2003.07.001

High-rise syndrome was diagnosed in 119 cats over a 4-year period. 59.6% of cats were younger than one year, and the average height of the fall was four stories. High-rise syndrome was more frequent during the warmer period of the year. 96.5% of the presented cats, survived after the fall. 46.2% of cats had fractured limbs; 38.5% of fractures were of the forelimb, 61.5% of the hindlimb. The tibia was fractured most often (36.4%), followed by the femur (23.6%). 78.6% of femoral fractures were distal. The mean age of patients with femoral fractures was 9.1 months, and with tibial fractures 29.2 months. Thoracic trauma was diagnosed in 33.6% of cats. Pneumothorax was diagnosed in 20% of cats, and pulmonary contusions in 13.4%. Falls from the seventh or higher stories, are associated with more severe injuries and with a higher incidence of thoracic trauma.