Feline high-rise syndrome, a fall from the second floor or higher, can result in shock, facial trauma, abdominal bleeding, thoracic injuries, and orthopaedic injuries. Orofacial findings included bilateral epistaxis, hard palate fracture +/- tear of palatal soft tissue, palatal soft tissue bruising, mandibular fracture, mandibular symphyseal separation, tongue injury, facial soft tissue injury, dental trauma, and other oral soft tissue injuries that needed on time cat orthopaedic surgery that too by professional emergency vet nearby
Zorro, a 2-year-old mixed tomcat rushed to emergency OPD at night in shock, with epistaxis and oral haemorrhage after sustaining a fall from the terrace of a four-storied building. The patient was stabilised with IV fluids at shock rate, painkillers, hemostatic drugs, antibiotics and oxygen support.
Radiography was done to rule out fractures and haemorrhage of internal organs, which revealed no major defects, except an over-riding fracture of sternal vertebrae. An oral examination of the patient revealed a hard palate fracture. The patient had normal urine & faecal output throughout.
Blood reports were in the normal range, except for slightly elevated liver markers.
The hard palate was repaired under GA. The patient was treated as an IPD patient for the next three days; serial haematology revealed normal values post-surgery.
The patient discharged with antibiotics and pain relief and advised to have just wet food and avoidance of liquids. Pet made a complete recovery and wound healing was found satisfactory.
It has advised that cat owners should make terraces and balconies inaccessible to their cats, and always consult a veterinarian for the cat orthopaedic surgery. Not every fall would result in visible trauma, but there is always a high risk of delayed onset of signs 2-3 days later, due to internal organ rupture and abnormalities and should require proper consultation with an emergency vet nearby.
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