Thoracic wall trauma

Thoracic injury is a commonly represented in small animal trauma patients with many cases often suffering multiple injuries.  Dyspnoea and generalised tissue hypoxia is a common complication associated with these injuries.  These may, in turn, be caused by restriction of chest wall movement, cardiac contusion, pleural cavity occupation and pulmonary pathology.  Clinical stabilisation of these patients usually precedes definitive surgical repair and may include fluid and oxygen therapy, thoracentesis, analgesia and intensive patient care.  Surgical decision making requires an accurate initial diagnostic assessment.  Thereafter, the following related issues may need to be addressed: re-establishing the functional integrity of the thoracic wall, facilitating adequate cardio-pulmonary function and re-establishing a negative pleural cavity pressure.  

About our speaker: Dr Charlie Boucher

Charlie Boucher graduated from Onderstepoort (Faculty of Veterinary Science), University of Pretoria in 2002. Shortly after qualifying he went abroad to the United Kingdom where he spent the next 10 years working as a veterinary surgeon. During this time he obtained his general practitioner certificate in small animal surgery. He was also the practice director for a veterinary clinic in South- West London (Companion Care, Raynes Park) during most of his stay in the UK. He returned to South Africa in 2012 to pursue his dream and specialize in small animal surgery at the University of Pretoria. During his time at the university he was employed as a senior lecturer and in 2018 he was elected as the head of the Small Animal Surgery Department. He enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery, but has a particular interest in orthopaedics, arthroscopy and neurosurgery.

Thursday 09 September | 19h30-20h30

We are excited to see you all online in September!

Stay safe,

The Hill's Pet Nutrition Team