The essence of this study lies in the peculiarities of the occurrence of rib injuries in cats. Based on the data in this article, two main factors of rib fracture manifestation are demonstrated, which are associated with traumatic and non-traumatic causes. According to the study, the appearance of rib fractures in older cats is associated with a non-traumatic cause due to respiratory diseases (Adams et al., 2010). This study also reflects similar causes that manifest in humans. In addition, this article reflects a greater extent the non-traumatic causes of rib fractures in cats, which are associated with lung infections (Adams et al., 2010). This study concludes that rib fractures in cats can be an obvious sign of trauma or an unintentional discovery in cats with comorbidities (Adams et al., 2010). Nontraumatic rib fractures are more common in cats with diseases that induce prolonged respiratory effort or coughing, metabolic conditions, or certain neoplasms.
One of the main limitations of this study is its retrospective. This is reflected in the fact that examples from the archive or already published results are selected for the study. However, this method has several significant drawbacks that should be considered, which serve as one of the recommendations for future research. Some essential data are impossible to quantify, and considerable biases may influence control selection. Researchers have little control over exposure or result evaluation; thus, they must rely on others to keep reliable records. Furthermore, convenience sampling frequently recruits controls, making them unrepresentative of the overall population and subject to selection bias. If outcomes are uncommon, retrospective cohort studies with high sample numbers are critical for this study. This is determined by the fact that important factors that were missed or not studied in previous studies or materials from where the information was obtained may not be taken into account.
Another important limitation closely related to the one already mentioned is the small sample size. This sampling approach also has several significant drawbacks that should be taken into account in future research. The standard deviation of a sample is how far the accurate results of the survey might differ from the results of the sample that the researcher collected. A large sample size is required for a study; the more extensive the standard deviation, the less reliable the conclusions may be, as smaller sample sizes become less typical of the total population. Thus, the main recommendations for further research are the use of newer information and an increase in the number of cats. The first point will allow the researcher to study possible secondary factors that may not be noticed in the old data. In addition, a more modern approach will allow the researcher to pay attention to possible errors that need to be considered. The second point will also eliminate noticeable errors associated with an insufficient number of examples. Expanding the amount of available information will allow the researcher to draw more accurate conclusions.
First of all, it should be noted that it is necessary to consider the above recommendations to achieve more accurate outcomes. This will make the study results more reliable and acceptable for the majority. However, despite the limitations noted, I agree with the results noted in this article. The main factors of damage to the cat are still injuries sustained when a car hits or falls from a height. Injuries caused by animals or humans; domestic accidents are also not uncommon (Adams et al., 2010). In terms of frequency, fractures of the paws are most often recorded, then of the tail and pelvic bones, spine, and less often of the skull.
Sometimes there are rib fractures and pathological injuries when bones break for no apparent reason due to severe diseases, bone neoplasms, or an unbalanced diet. Partial or complete destruction of bone structures is called a fracture. This phenomenon occurs due to the influence of a mechanical factor due to the excess strength of the bone itself. Fractures in cats are divided into several types – traumatic and pathological (Adams et al., 2010). The first type of fracture occurs due to mechanical factors such as falling of an animal from a great height, injuries sustained when hitting a motor vehicle, dog bites, and wounds from firearms.
Another type of fracture is pathological and develops with disorders in the body’s work. As a result of the increased fragility of bone structures, fractures occur even with a slight impact or impact. Pathologies that provoke bone fragility can be very different – tumor processes in the bones, metabolic disorders, and disorders in the diet. In domestic cats, especially purebred cats, hyperparathyroidism becomes the cause of bone fragility. A disease characterized by an increased content of phosphorus in the blood and a low content of calcium, which is associated with the predominance of meat and meat products in the diet. Against the background of pathological changes, calcium, which is necessary not only for the strength of the skeleton but also for the work of vital organs – muscle fibers and the heart, begins to be actively washed out of bone structures to fill the shortage.
Reference
Adams, C., Streeter, E. M., King, R., & Rozanski, E. (2010). Retrospective study: Cause and clinical characteristics of rib fractures in cats: 33 cases (2000–2009). Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 20(4), 436–440. Web.