Management and long‐term follow‐up of penetrating trauma to the chest and the heart in a dog

Summary A 6‐year‐old, neutered, male Border Collie presented following a suspected thoracic wall‐penetrating stick injury. Following initial stabilisation, thoracic radiography, thoracic point‐of‐care ultrasound and computed tomography were performed to evaluate the extent of injury. Haemothorax secondary to an impalement injury with associated fracture of the fourth right rib was diagnosed. Emergency thoracotomy was required due to ongoing haemorrhage, revealing a 1.5‐cm defect in the right ventricle that was repaired by direct suturing. At the 90‐day follow‐up, echocardiography revealed no abnormalities. The dog returned to normal activity without any complications.