High Rise Syndrome case information needed

RE: High Rise Syndrome case information needed

Jo Dyer — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 08:46:51 GMT

There was a brilliant talk on this at BSAVA, many, many years ago, by someone from the Animal Medical Center in New York I believe. Up to a certain number of floors, head injuries were sustained and mortality rate increased. Above that level, more cats survived because they went into freefall and landed on their sternum/abdomen. Obviously up to a certain level where mortality was 100%.

I remember they said they'd done a study and got into a lot of trouble with the public who assumed they'd been throwing cats out of high-rise buildings in order to get their results! You've probably seen the study if you've got published material.

They also showed the damage incurred by a vehicle following a 'high-rise iguana' incident.

It has stuck in my memory for what must be nearly 30 years, in a way that nothing else has from BSAVA except some of the opening speakers like Joe Simpson and John McCarthy.

RE: High Rise Syndrome case information needed

Noweia — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 17:20:54 GMT

Saw a few many years ago. From what I remember fractured jaw and fractured pelvis were common injuries, depending on the height.

RE: High Rise Syndrome case information needed

Sammy82 — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 14:21:46 GMT

My cat fell (or rather jumped...) from the first floor window, not sure if that counts as high rise. He knocked out a couple of incisors and damaged the mandibular symphysis.

RE: High Rise Syndrome case information needed

Liz Barton — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 13:09:57 GMT

[quote user="Joyce Whitehead"]I seek to remember lots of fractured jaws as a start. [/quote]

I'd second this - frequently mandibular symphysis in cats. My first job was in the Lake District and I remember a few dogs falling off striding edge or similar; 20-30ft drops onto rocky ledges and often no injuries other than a fractured tooth!

RE: High Rise Syndrome case information needed

Joyce Whitehead — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 10:30:54 GMT

Many many years ago when at university we did sessions at PDSA in Glasgow in final year and saw several there. So I’d suggest seeing if you can get hold of someone there. I seek to remember lots of fractured jaws as a start.