Síndrome do gato paraquedista: relato de caso

Abstract

Parachutist cat syndrome (GSP) applies to injuries caused to cats that fall from the second floor, with facial, orthopedic and thoracic injuries. It can affect cats of all ages, but is more common in young animals. The survival rate is high in this syndrome due to the low body mass and efficiency of the feline's vestibular system during the fall, but it is still considered a serious emergency, requiring prompt care, with rapid and systematic approaches according to the animal's priority of need. GSP can be avoided by introducing simple preventative measures, but if a fall accident does occur, it is essential to visit a veterinarian. The aim of this paper is to present the main information about the syndrome, based on a brief review of the literature, and to describe the occurrence of Parachute Cat Syndrome in a case report. The case described is of a cat that fell from the fifth floor and presented with a cleft palate, maxillary fracture, pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion and dislocation of the xiphoid process. The cat underwent several approaches during the days it was hospitalized, including, initial stabilization of the condition, laboratory and imaging tests, cleft palate correction procedure, esophageal probing, alignment of the maxillary fracture and conservative treatment of the changes in the thorax. Cases of GSP can e avoided if veterinarians give instructions on how to treat the disease.