ABSTRACT
Severe brain injury is associated with a high mortality rate in humans and animals. Death typically results from progressive increases in intracranial pressure (ICP). Brain injury in dogs and cats is most often due to automobile trauma; other causes include missile injuries (e.g., gunshot wounds), animal bites, and falls. It is of utmost importance to alleviate brain swelling and prevent damage to vital brainstem structures. Dogs and cats can function well with considerable loss of cerebral tissue, if given time to recover from a severe brain insult. The ultimate goal in brain injury management is to return the patient to the role in society occupied before the injury. This category of injury refers to the physical disruption of intracranial structures that occurs immediately at the time of the traumatic event. Such injury includes direct damage to brain parenchyma, such as contusions, lacerations, and diffuse axonal injury.
