High-rise syndrome in cats: 207 cases (1988-1998)

The records of 207 cats with high-rise syndrome over a period of I I years were reviewed. Cats fell from the height of the 2nd to the 8th floor and th eir mean age was 1.2 years. Shock was diagnosed in 17% of the cats, pneumot horax in 4% and pulmonary contusion in 7%. Limb fractures were seen in 50%, spinal fractures or luxations in 10% and split hard palates in 3% of the c ats. A total of 93% of the cats survived. It was found that as the height f rom which the cats fell increased, the number of total and orthopaedic inju ries also increased.