Head trauma is a common veterinary emergency in cats, most often caused by road traffic accidents. Rapid assessment and evidence-based emergency management significantly improve welfare outcomes.
Cats with head trauma experience acute pain, disorientation, fear, and neurological dysfunction. The initial welfare priority is emergency stabilisation to prevent secondary brain injury from oxygen deprivation and raised intracranial pressure. Inappropriate handling during transport can worsen neurological outcomes. Quiet, low-stimulation recovery environments reduce stress during the critical recovery period. Pain management must be carefully balanced against the need to monitor neurological status in these patients.