Epidemiological, clinical and hematological findings in feline high rise syndrome in Israel: A retrospective case-controlled study of 107 cats

Feline high rise syndrome (HRS) is commonly observed in cats in Israel. This retrospective case-controlled study characterizes HRS in Israel, and describes, to the best of the authors' knowledge, for the first time, the hematological findings and their prognostic value in HRS. The study included 107 cats with HRS, 482 ill negative controls and 59 healthy, blood donor cats. Cats with HRS were younger when compared to the ill negative controls. Orthopedic injuries occurred in 48% of cats, most frequently involving the hind limbs. Respiratory system injuries were significantly associated with falls from floor three to six, while head injuries mostly occurred in falls from lower floors. Survival was negatively associated with the height of the fall. Shock was associated with longer hospitalization. Cats with HRS had a significantly lower leukocyte counts compared to controls, and a higher proportion of band neutrophils. The frequency of monocytosis was significantly higher in survivors when compared to non-survivors. It would appear that the hematological findings and differential count dissimilarities between surviving and non-surviving cats with HRS have no prognostic value. Mortality was associated with subcutaneous emphysema, hypothermia, abdominal and spinal injuries. The overall survival rate was 83% (89/107 cats), however, when euthanized cases (12 cats) were excluded, the survival rate was 93.7%% (89/95 cats).