Blood samples are taken for minimal database and include packed cell volume, total solids (protein), blood glucose, ACT, and urine specific gravity.

Vital signs are collected as quickly as possible. Life-threatening problems are treated immediately, stabilizing before moving on to the next system.

The animal is then transferred to the emergency-ready area of the hospital where the team assesses A-airway, B-breathing, C-cardiovascular status and neurologic status of the patient, in that order. Have the technician or assistant stay with the owner of the animal, as attention to the human counterparts is a very important aspect of handling the incident. Encounters with automobiles, animal fights, traps, burns, weapons, and abuse are common traumatic injuries seen by veterinarians. the patient, with specific reference to the mechanism of the injury. The initial step in managing any traumatized animal is obtaining a history of the INCIDENT, vs. With attention to detail, recognition of hidden injuries, and appropriate monitoring, the insidious declines, organ failures and imminent sepsis in the traumatized patient can be avoided. The third interval occurs 3-5 days after the traumatic event. Most treatable cardiovascular and respiratory injuries are seen in this period. Prompt, aggressive treatment makes a difference in survival. The next 2-4 hours are what we as clinicians recognize as the 'Golden period.' This is the most common presentation in the veterinary hospital. Tragically, many patients do not survive, but historically those that do survive long enough to be transported to the hospital, often survive the traumatic ordeal itself. The first hour following trauma has classically been recognized in human medicine as the 'survival hour.' It is within this time that most deaths occur as a result of catastrophic, unsalvageable injury to the respiratory and cardiovascular system. In veterinary medicine, there are really three intervals in which death results from trauma, and as such, three times in which intervention may be crucial to survival. Life-threatening problems are then treated immediately, according to their level of priority, utilizing a team-oriented approach (at least 2-3 people are necessary for a successful resuscitation).

To effect a response, a primary survey involves triage of major body systems that follows the ABC’s of emergency care and gives at termination, a summary or total evaluation of the animal’s stability. Speed and quality of emergency care invariably determines morbidity and mortality. The 'Golden period' defines the time following injury wherein effective therapy ensures a good chance of survival. One thing we have learned via observation of emergency cases at referral and tertiary care facilities is that a systemic approach to the care of traumatized victims will indeed save lives. Obviously the variety of insults is tremendous. Trauma is defined as any insult to the body. Since trauma, specifically that to the thorax, is a leading cause of small animal death, the goal of this lecture will be to outline first some basics of general trauma management, then progress through the diagnosis and management of specific traumatic thoracic injuries. A global approach, aimed at assessing and supporting all vital organs is necessary to successfully manage these patients. The immediate priorities of management apply equally to all cases of trauma. Thoracic trauma seldom occurs as an isolated injury patients are often in shock and may have other significant injuries. Thoracic injury is common in dogs and cats following trauma.

Hemothorax lung sounds