Pearson EL, Whelan M, Bracker K. Escalator-related injuries in 30 dogs (2007-2014).
J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2017;
27:434-438. [PMID:
28510368 DOI:
10.1111/vec.12609]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe a population of dogs affected by escalator-related injuries, and to characterize the types of injuries sustained and describe treatment administered.
DESIGN
Retrospective study from March 2007 to November 2014.
SETTING
Large urban referral and emergency facility.
ANIMALS
Thirty client-owned dogs presenting with injuries acquired while riding an escalator.
INTERVENTIONS
None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
All injuries in this study occurred secondary to entrapment of 1 or more paws in the moving parts of an escalator; 39 paws were injured in total. The median body weight of the patients in this study was 4.25 kg, with 73.3% of the patients weighing less than 10 kg. Fifteen patients (50.0%) were treated surgically, the remainder were managed conservatively. Eight patients (26.7%) underwent digit or partial-digit amputation. Of the conservatively managed patients, 10 were treated with bandaging of the wounds. Antimicrobials, opiate analgesics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered in both surgically and conservatively managed patients.
CONCLUSIONS
While uncommon, escalator accidents can result in significant injury to dogs. Measures can be taken to prevent these injuries from occurring, whether through client education, dog training, structural modifications in the escalators themselves, or avoidance of escalators. In the present study, the survival rate of dogs injured on escalators was 100%.
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