Traumatic Brain Injury in Dogs and Cats: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Experimental Advances
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64736/ueplc.2025.v8.n1.7Keywords:
veterinary medicine, brain injuries traumatic, neuroimaging, neuroprotectionAbstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in dogs and cats remains a significant cause of neurological morbidity in veterinary practice. This systematic review examined literature published between 2015 and 2024 on cranioencephalic and spinal traumatic lesions in small animals, retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eleven open-access original studies addressing diagnostic, therapeutic, and experimental aspects were included. The collected evidence suggests that non-contrast computed tomography (CT) remains relevant as an initial diagnostic tool, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with DWI/ADC and T2*-GRE sequences may offer prognostic and follow-up advantages. In medical management, the comparison between hypertonic saline (7.2%) and 20% mannitol shows physiological and hemostatic differences that justify individualized selection according to patient status. Experimental studies using 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, rhG-CSF, and bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) indicate potential neuroprotective and regenerative benefits, though further clinical validation is required. Advances in calvarial reconstruction and the documentation of neuropathological entities such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy and feline hippocampal necrosis expand the comparative understanding of veterinary TBI. The results of this review aim to contribute to strengthening the scientific foundation that supports the standardization of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in veterinary neurology.
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