A retrospective comparison of clinical, radiographic, and hematological findings in 36 dogs with thoracic trauma caused by road traffic accidents and bite injuries

Thoracic trauma is a common condition in dogs and may result from different causes such as road traffic accidents and bite injuries. The aim of this study was to compare clinical findings, radiographic changes, and hematological parameters in dogs presenting with thoracic trauma due to these two etiologies. This retrospective study included 36 dogs, with 18 cases in each group (road traffic accidents and BITE). Clinical data, radiographic findings, and hematological parameters were evaluated on the first day and at one week after admission. Dogs in the BITE group were significantly older than those in the road traffic accidents group (P<0.05). Wound severity was also significantly higher in the BITE group (P<0.001). However, no significant differences were found between groups in terms of radiographic severity at either time point (P>0.05). In terms of radiological assessments, improvement was observed over time in both groups. Regarding hematological assessments, white blood cell counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios decreased significantly over time (P<0.001). These results indicate a corresponding reduction in the level of existing inflammation. Furthermore, there were significant differences between the white blood cell and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios levels of the two groups (P<0.05). In summary, although thoracic injuries associated with traffic accidents and dog bites share common clinical and radiographic features, hematological parameters, particularly white blood cell and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios may be useful in assessing the inflammatory response to thoracic injury. The findings presented in this study may aid in both the assessment and treatment of thoracic trauma in dogs.