The occurrence of abdominal injuries is unknown in dogs. There are many etiologies associated with this injury. Abdominal injuries are often occult. Penetrating injuries from gunshot , impalement injuries, and bite wounds are more obvious.
Gunshot wounds represent the most frequent penetrating abdominal injury.
The wounding potential of missiles is related both to velocity and mass of the bullet. This is most easily understood when recalling tissue injury is directly proportional to the kinetic energy delivered and kinetic energy is proportional to the mass of the missile but more importantly, to the square of its velocity. High velocity missiles produce cavitation within the abdomen which is sufficiently energetic to disrupt hollow organs, break bones and spread contamination. Return to the Table of Contents Diagnosis of Abdominal Trauma Physical examination findings and diagnostic studies are required in deciding which abdomen should be surgically explored following penetrating injury. This decision is generally based upon signs of peritoneal penetration, unexplained shock, ileus, organ evisceration, free gas on radiographic examination or evidence of bacteria or plant debris following abdominocentesis or peritoneal lavage.