4 Physical injuries

Traumatic injuries to muscle include lacerations, penetrating wounds, tears, and strains are common in domestic species. Their pathogenesis is straightforward, and the outcome depends on the severity of the trauma.

A muscle rupture can occur following violent exercise or trauma. The muscle forms a bulge at the end opposite of the rupture. The most commonly ruptured muscle is the diaphragm, particularly after traumatic injury (e.g. hit by car). Healing is usually by fibrosis, as the damage is usually too extensive for regeneration to occur.

A muscle strain is the overextension of muscles resulting in myofiber disruption, particularly at the junction with tendons. Severity varies, and healing is by fibrosis.

The physical consequences of penetrating wounds are self-explanatory, but you should also be aware that secondary complications, such as bacterial infection or tetanus, may result.