Stručni rad
Rehabilitation approach to avulsion of brachial plexus in dogs and cats
Margarita Božiković
; Hrvatski veterinarski institut Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
*
Anita Kraljević
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Valentina Plichta
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Zoran Vrbanac
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) is a clinical term used to describe damage to the nerve plexus located in the shoulder girdle of animals, often caused by traumatic injury to the forelimb (Wheeler et al., 1986). When patients have suffered bone fractures, it is important first to repair them surgically and then focus on rehabilitation and restoration of muscle and nerve function. The aim of this study was to analyse the anamnestic data, the selected diagnostic methods and types of treatment, and the recovery process in dogs and cats with BPA. The study included 13 patients (6 cats and 7 dogs) admitted to the clinics of the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb over a period of 5 years. The anamnestic data showed that most of the patients had suffered some form of trauma (fall, car accident, etc.). The clinical examination revealed physical changes, weakness, pain, and non-physiological movements of the injured thoracic limb, on the basis of which the patient’s treatment was recommended. Physical therapy (PT) methods were used for rehabilitation in 62 % (8/13) of the patients. The positive effect of PT on recovery from BPA was demonstrated in 75 % (6/8) of patients, of whom 3 partially recovered and 3 fully recovered after completing the recommended cycle of therapeutic exercises. The average rehabilitation time was 6 weeks and 2 days. Surgical amputation of the thoracic limb was recommended in 31 % (4/13) of patients, with the decision on the surgical approach based on the neurological status and progress of recovery during PT. Analysis of the data showed that the recovery process depended on the
degree of nerve damage, the duration of symptoms up until the clinical examination, and the owner’s participation in rehabilitation.
Ključne riječi
brachial plexus avulsion; treatment; physical therapy; dog; cat
Hrčak ID:
342790
URI
Datum izdavanja:
23.12.2025.
Posjeta: 347 *