Análise radiográfica dos impactos da vulnerabilidade socioeconômica em cães e gatos atendidos no Hospital Municipal Veterinário de São Luís-Ma

Abstract

Radiographic findings in dogs and cats treated at the Municipal Veterinary Hospital of São Luís (MA) were analyzed, emphasizing the correlation between diagnostic alterations and the socioeconomic vulnerability of their guardians. Understanding animal health as a direct reflection of social conditions, the research assumes that socioeconomic vulnerability significantly affects access to veterinary care and, consequently, the clinical stage of diseases at the time of diagnosis. This is a descriptive study, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, based on the analysis of 4,364 radiographic exams performed between June 2024 and March 2025. Data were obtained from the hospital’s management system, considering information such as species, sex, age, breed, and examined body region. The exams were categorized into three major anatomical groups: thoracic, abdominal, and musculoskeletal. Descriptive statistics and correlations with social vulnerability profiles were applied. The results showed a predominance of the canine species (68.4%) over the feline (31.6%), with a higher frequency of exams focused on the thoracic region. The most prevalent alterations included bronchopathies, limb and pelvic fractures, pleural effusion, cardiomegaly, pyometra, mammary hyperplasia, and foreign bodies. A high incidence of advanced-stage diseases or those indicating a lack of continuous veterinary follow-up was also observed, such as chronic bronchopathies, severe pneumopathies, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pathological pregnancies, pyometra, and marked mammary hyperplasia. The research highlights the importance of veterinary radiology not only as a clinical tool but also as an epidemiological and social instrument, allowing for the understanding of illness patterns in vulnerable animal populations. It is emphasized that most analyzed cases reflect a reality marked by institutional neglect, lack of effective public policies, and limited awareness among owners. It is concluded that veterinary radiology, in addition to being essential for clinical management, can play a strategic role in public health policies, contributing to health surveillance and promoting animal welfare, especially in contexts of social inequality