Introduction

• A trauma score is a numerical characterization of the injuries sustained by a patient from a traumatic incident. It provides an objective assessment of the patient’s clinical status. 
• In human medicine trauma scores have been well developed and widely used since the 1960s.  
• In 1994 an animal triage trauma (ATT) score was developed in order to stratify the veterinary trauma population according to the severity of injuries. 
• The ATT score was designed to be a quick, easy and readily available tool for the emergency clinician. It relies on physical examination findings before extensive diagnostics and therapeutic intervention are implemented.  
• The ATT score has been evaluated both retrospectively and prospectively and has been found to be a significant predictor of survival in both dogs and cats. 
• In dogs, an increase of 1 point in the ATT score correlates with 2.07 increased odds of non-survival. 
• In cats an increase of 1 point in the ATT score correlates with 1.79 increased odds of non-survival.  

Parameters and scoring system

Further evidence

Clinical use

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Herrero Y et al (2021) Prevalence of acute traumatic coagulopathy in acutely traumatized dogs and association with clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 34(3), 214-222 PubMed. 
• Gant P et al (2019) Retrospective evaluation of factors influencing transfusion requirements and outcome in cats with pelvic injury (2009-2014): 122 cases. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 29(4), 407-412 PubMed. 
• Lapsley J et al (2019) Performance evaluation and validation of the Animal Trauma Triage score and modified Glasgow Coma Scale in injured cats: A Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry study. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 29(5), 478-483 PubMed.
• Lyons B M et al (2019) Clinicopathologic abnormalities associated with increased animal triage trauma score in cats with bite wound injuries: 43 cases (1998-2009). J Vet Emerg Crit Care 29(3), 296-300 PubMed. 
• Murgia E et al (2019) Prognostic Significance of Organ Dysfunction in Cats With Polytrauma. Front Vet Sci 6,189 PubMed. 
• Ash K et al (2018) Performance evaluation and validation of the animal trauma triage score and modified Glasgow Coma Scale with suggested category adjustment in dogs: A VetCOT registry study. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 28(3),192-200 PubMed.  
• Lux C N et al (2018) Factors associated with survival to hospital discharge for cats treated surgically for thoracic trauma. J Am Vet Med Assoc 253(5), 598-605 PubMed. 
• Lux C N et al (2018) Perioperative mortality rate and risk factors for death in dogs undergoing surgery for treatment of thoracic trauma: 157 cases (1990-2014). J Am Vet Med Assoc 252(9), 1097-1107 PubMed. 
• McCarthy D et al (2018) Use of the Animal Trauma Triage Score, RibScore, Modified RibScore and other clinical factors for prognostication in canine rib fractures. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 31(4), 239-245 PubMed.  
• Gottlieb D L et al (2017) Evaluation of acute traumatic coagulopathy in dogs and cats following blunt force trauma. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 27(1), 35-43 PubMed. 
• Lynch A M et al (2015) Transfusion practices for treatment of dogs hospitalized following trauma: 125 cases (2008-2013). J Am Vet Med Assoc 247(6), 643-649 PubMed.
• Olsen L E et al (2014) Review of gunshot injuries in cats and dogs and utility of a triage scoring system to predict short-term outcome: 37 cases (2003-2008). J Am Vet Med Assoc 245(8), 923-929 PubMed.
• Rockar R A et al (1994) Development of a scoring system for the veterinary trauma patient. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 4(2), 77-83 doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-4431.1994.tb00118.x.