Urethral obstruction refers to a blockage that occurs in the tube called the urethra, which carries urine from our bladder out of our body. When this blockage happens, it can make it difficult or even impossible for urine to pass through, causing discomfort and potentially serious health problems.
Full definition
Cats
with urethral obstruction often travel in and out of the litter box, repeatedly squatting and straining to produce urine.
Male cats are more prone to obstruction than female cats.1 When the urethra becomes partially or completely blocked, urine is unable to drain from the bladder, resulting in fluid, electrolyte, and acid — base abnormalities.2
Feline urethral obstruction is a relatively common condition, accounting for up to 10 % of feline cases presented to small animal referral and emergency clinics.3, 4
A low - profile gastrotomy tube (feeding tube) has been used as a prepubic cystotomy tube to
relieve urethral obstruction and achieve urinary diversion.
Heavier cats are at greater risks
for urethral obstruction, diabetes and arthritis, as more pressure is put on their joints.
This course is composed of three short sessions from the NAVC Conference 2016's Association of Shelter Veterinarians: Shelter Medicine Program track.Urethral Obstructions: New Ways to Manage: Briefly reviews case selection and medical management of acute and chronic
urethral obstruction in cats.
Another approach to
bypass urethral obstruction is to place a cystotomy tube (small diameter tube that goes from the bladder through the wall of the abdomen to the outside) to allow emptying of the bladder.
She comes with many years of emergency medic experience; her clinical interest includes traumatic injuries, toxicities, metabolic diseases, pain management and
treating urethral obstructions.
While many cats appear to thrive on a vegan diet, there are also anecdotal reports of cats with recurring urinary tract problems, including infections associated with
previous urethral obstructions caused by urinary crystals.
For cats who continue to
experience urethral obstruction despite proper medical management, a surgical procedure called a perineal urethrostomy may be suggested.
The short - term prognosis for cats treated
for urethral obstruction is good when appropriate treatment and supportive care are provided as soon as an obstruction is suspected.
The theorized concerns such as the potential for stunted growth, obesity, perivulvar dermatitis vaginitis, urinary incontinence, behavioral changes, impaired immunocompetence, and
urethral obstruction in male cats for early age neutering (8 weeks) are unfounded.
Prepubic cystotomy (opening of a cyst or cutting into a bladder for the extraction of calculus) catheters that
bypass urethral obstruction have been used on some dogs with poor results.
If left untreated,
urethral obstruction is fatal.
Urethral obstruction Urethral obstruction is one of the most serious cat diseases and occurs mainly in male cats because their urethra is longer and narrower than female cats.
Urethral obstruction is a potentially life - threatening emergency.
Urethral obstruction is a relatively common and potentially life - threatening emergency.
«We also need to dispel the myth that
urethral obstruction is likely, as urolith size diminishes using non-invasive dietary dissolution.»
The term FLUTD or feline lower urinary tract disease is a term that refers to a number of conditions that affect the urinary tract and urethra such as cystitis, urolithiasis (urinary stones),
urethral obstruction (blockage), urethral plugs or cancer.
Male cats with FIC who have had
their urethral obstruction relieved but are still suffering from their present FIC episode.
Feline
Urethral Obstruction: This is the most worrisome cat urinary problem and refers to either complete or partial blockage.
Feline
Urethral Obstruction.
This leads to Feline
Urethral Obstruction (FUO) that is a painful condition and could lead to kidney blockage which is a life threatening condition in cats.
In the veterinary clinic, it's used to treat seizures, pain, and
urethral obstructions.
Antibiotic therapy should be reserved for cats with a confirmed bacterial cystitis (diagnosed via urinalysis and / or culture of the urine) and for cats at high risk of developing bacterial cystitis as a result of urinary catheterization to relieve
a urethral obstruction.
The collagen acts as a bulking agent to create a «mechanical»
urethral obstruction and improve incontinence.