This 6-year-old Chihuahua was bitten by another dog. What are your findings?
Findings
Thorax: There is severe subcutaneous emphysema present on the dorsal and right lateral body wall. There are fractures of the 6th-9th right ribs with angulation suggesting multiple fracture sites and body wall instability. The rib fragments are medially displaced. There is a focal alveolar pattern in the right caudal lung lobe. The pulmonary vasculature is not seen to extend to the body wall on the right side. The cardiovascular structures are normal.Abdomen: There are gas lucencies in the left inguinal region of the body wall and left pelvic limb. The body wall itself appears to be intact, and no herniation is visible. The musculoskeletal structures are normal. No abnormalities are seen of the abdominal organs.
Diagnosis
- Rib fractures resulting in flail chest, probable pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema
- Probable pulmonary contusion in the right caudal lung lobe (Ddx atelectasis, superimposition)
- Left inguinal trauma without evidence of herniation