Femoral arterial embolism of an airgun pellet in a dog

Abstract

A 4-y-old male Labrador Retriever was submitted for autopsy following radiographic examination by the owner, a veterinarian, which had revealed 3 embedded projectiles. Autopsy revealed a single entrance wound on the left flank. Using flap-by-flap dissection, the trajectory of the projectile was traced through the skin and lumbar musculature to its location where it had perforated the abdominal aorta, causing fatal acute hemoperitoneum. Remarkably, the copper-coated pellet (Diabolo) was found in the lumen of the right femoral artery, consistent with projectile embolism. No external trauma was present at that site. Embolization can occur when a projectile enters the vasculature and travels to a distal location, typically requiring low residual kinetic energy and a vessel of sufficient caliber. Although well documented in human forensic medicine, projectile embolism is exceedingly rare in veterinary cases. To our knowledge, embolization of a projectile in the femoral artery in a dog has not been reported previously. Our case highlights the importance of comprehensive radiographic imaging before autopsy and illustrates the diagnostic value of correlating radiologic findings with meticulous gross examination in veterinary forensic pathology cases.