Treating suspected intracranial pressure following RTA

Phoebe is a 1 ½ year old female Hungarian Vizla who was presented to Vets Now Referrals in Swindon with head trauma after a road traffic accident. Despite resuscitation at her local vet practice, Phoebe was comatose at presentation with miotic pupils.

Increased intracranial pressure was suspected, and Phoebe was treated with hypertonic saline and mannitol to prevent brain herniation, as well as aggressive supportive care to prevent secondary brain injury. Phoebe also had a pneumothorax and pulmonary contusions, as well as multiple skin wounds.

She remained in our intensive care unit for nearly 4 days before her mentation started to improve, and by the time of discharge one week later was able to walk although still ataxic. Several weeks on, Phoebe was doing really well at home and was back to her favourite pastime of chasing the cat!

Whilst animals with head trauma often present with dramatic clinical signs, they can do very well with intensive care and often prove very rewarding cases to treat.