Analytical Study of Thoracic Trauma Patterns and Prognostic Indicators in Dogs Following Road Traffic Accidents in Abuja

Thoracic trauma in dogs following road traffic accidents encompasses a spectrum of injuries including pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusion, and rib fractures, each with distinct radiographic and clinical presentations and prognostic implications. This analytical study examines thoracic trauma patterns, radiographic findings, and clinical prognostic indicators in dogs presented following road traffic accidents at veterinary hospitals in Abuja FCT between January 2022 and December 2023. Eighty-seven dogs with radiographically confirmed thoracic trauma were prospectively enrolled. Lateral and dorsoventral thoracic radiographs were systematically interpreted, and clinical, hematological, and biochemical data were collected at admission and at 24 and 72 hours post-presentation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent prognostic indicators of survival. Pneumothorax was the most prevalent radiographic finding in 47% of cases, followed by pulmonary contusion at 38% and rib fractures at 34%. Multiple concurrent injuries were identified in 54% of patients. Albumin level below 2.0 g/dL, SpO2 below 90% at admission, and presence of bilateral hemothorax were identified as independent predictors of non-survival. Overall survival to discharge was 71%. This study provides the first multivariate prognostic analysis for canine thoracic trauma in Nigeria and contributes essential evidence for developing triage risk stratification tools for thoracic trauma assessment at veterinary emergency facilities in the Federal Capital Territory. Keywords: thoracic trauma, canine, road traffic accident, prognostic indicators, Abuja.