"Yogi" was an approximately 9 weeks old kitten when he was brought to the clinic due to wounds his chest. Yogi's "family"
was out of town and his "sitter" discovered his injuries. Unfortunately, the rest of the litter was missing and an animal attach was suspected.In spite of serious injuries Yogi
was remarkably bright and alert showing very little breathing difficulty. Physical examination revealed a laceration to the right side of Yogi's chest creating a
large skin flap. Lifting the skin flap revealed a large defect in Yogi's body allowing a plain view of his heart, injured lungs and several broken ribs.
Under anesthesia an airway and IV catheter were placed. Yogi's wound was cleaned, sharp edges of the fractured ribs were removed and a chest tube was
placed. The chest wound was then sutured closed. Excess free air and fluid was removed from Yogi's chest via the chest tube.
During his surgery Yogi became quite weak, with severely depressed heart and
lung function, but he responded nicely to stabilizing medications. Yogi spent the rest of the day recovering on a warm water bed in an oxygen supplemented
cage. The next day Yogi was eating and two days after surgery the chest tube was removed. Yogi went home on antibiotics and was "instructed" to eat well and get plenty of rest.
Yogi has made a full recovery and now romps and plays as a normal kitten
