High rise syndrome : a correlation between height and affections in 45 cats from urban areas

Abstract EN

Forty five cats of high rise syndrome were admitted to surgery clinic of Mansoura Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MVTH), over a period of 3 years (2015-2018).

Cats were admitted for treatment or euthanasia after a fall or jump from a balconies or windows.

These cats were admitted after varying period (one to seven days) after the fall.

Cats fell from the height of the 2nd to the 5thfloor.Their ages were ranged from 3 months to 4 years.

Each cat was clinically examined; in addition to that ultrasonographical, radiological and neurological tests were performed.

After diagnosis and consultation with the owner a decision was taken for either conservative, surgical treatment or euthanasia.

Fractures of the limbs and joint dislocations were seen in 60% (27/45), vertebral fracture 11.1% (5/45) spinal luxation in 6.7% (3/45), Oro-facial injuries in 4.4% (2/45) and head trauma in 17.8% (8/45).Shock was diagnosed in 62.2% (28/45) and survival rate was recorded in 77.8% (35/45).

The mean height of fall for the euthanized and dead cats was 2.5 floors (range 2nd to 3th floors).This study founded a relation between types of injuries and the height of the fall where falling from lower floor is more risky and resulted in more dangerous problems than that of higher one.