Nonsurgical management of traumatic pneumoperitoneum in a cat.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the nonsurgical management of a cat with traumatic pneumoperitoneum.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: A 4-year-old cat was presented following vehicular polytrauma. Thoracic radiographs revealed 4 rib fractures, a scapular fracture, and pneumothorax. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a small volume of free abdominal fluid. Computed tomography showed a mild pneumoretroperitoneum and a pneumoperitoneum in the region of the porta hepatis. The cat was managed conservatively with close monitoring. Exploratory laparotomy was not pursued given patient stability and static serial imaging studies revealing no indications for surgical intervention. After 6 days, the pneumoperitoneum was no longer detectable.

NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of successful nonsurgical management of traumatic pneumoperitoneum in a cat.