Feline Urethral Obstruction

Segev G, Livne H, Ranen E et al: Urethral obstruction in cats: predisposing factors, clinical, clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis, J Feline Med Surg 13, 2011.

Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTDs) are common. Urethral obstruction (UO) is believed to occur more commonly in young cats and almost exclusively in male cats. Veterinary literature has limited information regarding the risk factors for UO. The most common etiology of UO in cats is urethral plugs. The most common signs of UO include stranguria, dysuria, and pain, and varying degrees of systemic signs. The objectives of this study were to identify risk factors for UO, to illustrate clinical and clinicopathological signs, outcome, and recurrence, as well as risk factors for mortality and recurrence. The study compared 82 cats with UO to 82 sex and time matched control cats. Indoor-outdoor cats were found to have a decreased risk for UO, while increased body weight was found to be a risk factor for UO over the control group. Cats with UO were younger than the control cats and the proportion of cats with UO consuming dry food was higher than the control cases. Even though UO is a life-threatening condition, in this study, the survival rate was high. Ionized calcium was found to be significantly higher in survivors compared to non-survivors. The recurrence rate in this study was relatively low. Urine pH was overall significantly lower at presentation in those reoccurring cases. Presence of ionized hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia should alert practitioners to the need for aggressive management and stabilization prior to de-obstructing patients under general anesthesia. [VT]

Related articles:  
Cooper ES, Owens TJ, Chew DJ et al: A protocol for managing urethral obstruction in male cats without urethral catheterization, J Am Vet Med Assoc 237:1261, 2010.

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Segev G, Livne H, Ranen E et al: Urethral obstruction in cats: predisposing factors, clinical, clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis, J Feline Med Surg 13, 2011.

Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTDs) are common. Urethral obstruction (UO) is believed to occur more commonly in young cats and almost exclusively in male cats. Veterinary literature has limited information regarding the risk factors for UO. The most common etiology of UO in cats is urethral plugs. The most common signs of UO include stranguria, dysuria, and pain, and varying degrees of systemic signs. The objectives of this study were to identify risk factors for UO, to illustrate clinical and clinicopathological signs, outcome, and recurrence, as well as risk factors for mortality and recurrence. The study compared 82 cats with UO to 82 sex and time matched control cats. Indoor-outdoor cats were found to have a decreased risk for UO, while increased body weight was found to be a risk factor for UO over the control group. Cats with UO were younger than the control cats and the proportion of cats with UO consuming dry food was higher than the control cases. Even though UO is a life-threatening condition, in this study, the survival rate was high. Ionized calcium was found to be significantly higher in survivors compared to non-survivors. The recurrence rate in this study was relatively low. Urine pH was overall significantly lower at presentation in those reoccurring cases. Presence of ionized hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia should alert practitioners to the need for aggressive management and stabilization prior to de-obstructing patients under general anesthesia. [VT]

Related articles:  
Cooper ES, Owens TJ, Chew DJ et al: A protocol for managing urethral obstruction in male cats without urethral catheterization, J Am Vet Med Assoc 237:1261, 2010.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Feline Urethral Obstruction

Cooper ES, Owens TJ, Chew DJ et al: A protocol for managing urethral obstruction in male cats without urethral catheterization, J Am Vet Med Assoc 237:1261, 2010.

Urethral obstruction (UO) is a fairly common medical condition in male cats that typically requires emergency treatment. The standard treatment for UO involves medical stabilization of cardiovascular and metabolic derangements, correction of electrolyte abnormalities with IV fluid administration, and relief of the obstruction by urethral catheterization. Standard treatment for UO may require a number of days in the hospital at considerable expense. The investigators performed a clinical trial involving 15 male cats with UO where standard treatment had been declined by owners due to cost concerns. They speculated that pharmacological manipulation of stress, urethral tone, and discomfort could help alleviate some of the functional components of the obstructive process (urethral spasm and edema) and the patients might not need urinary catheterization. Excluding the most severely affected patients, 15 cats were enrolled in the study and were administered acepromazine, buprenorphine, and medetomidine. Decompressive cystocentesis was performed up to three times daily and fluid therapy was administered as needed. The cats were placed in a quiet, dark environment to minimize stress. Criteria for successful treatment were spontaneous urination within 72 hours and discharge from the hospital. Treatment was considered successful in 11 of the 15 cats. While this protocol cannot be recommended as an alternative to conventional management at this time, it could serve as an alternative to euthanasia when financial constraints prevent more extensive treatment. [VT]

Related articles:

O'Hearn AK, Wright BD: Coccygeal epidural with local anesthetic for catheterization and pain management in the treatment of feline urethral obstruction, J Vet Emerg Crit Care 21:50, 2011.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Cooper ES, Owens TJ, Chew DJ et al: A protocol for managing urethral obstruction in male cats without urethral catheterization, J Am Vet Med Assoc 237:1261, 2010.

Urethral obstruction (UO) is a fairly common medical condition in male cats that typically requires emergency treatment. The standard treatment for UO involves medical stabilization of cardiovascular and metabolic derangements, correction of electrolyte abnormalities with IV fluid administration, and relief of the obstruction by urethral catheterization. Standard treatment for UO may require a number of days in the hospital at considerable expense. The investigators performed a clinical trial involving 15 male cats with UO where standard treatment had been declined by owners due to cost concerns. They speculated that pharmacological manipulation of stress, urethral tone, and discomfort could help alleviate some of the functional components of the obstructive process (urethral spasm and edema) and the patients might not need urinary catheterization. Excluding the most severely affected patients, 15 cats were enrolled in the study and were administered acepromazine, buprenorphine, and medetomidine. Decompressive cystocentesis was performed up to three times daily and fluid therapy was administered as needed. The cats were placed in a quiet, dark environment to minimize stress. Criteria for successful treatment were spontaneous urination within 72 hours and discharge from the hospital. Treatment was considered successful in 11 of the 15 cats. While this protocol cannot be recommended as an alternative to conventional management at this time, it could serve as an alternative to euthanasia when financial constraints prevent more extensive treatment. [VT]

Related articles:

O'Hearn AK, Wright BD: Coccygeal epidural with local anesthetic for catheterization and pain management in the treatment of feline urethral obstruction, J Vet Emerg Crit Care 21:50, 2011.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Join us on Facebook

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Prognosis for Cats with Urethral Obstruction

Gerber, B., S. Eichenberger, et al. (2008). "Guarded long-term prognosis in male cats with urethral obstruction." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 16-23.


This study, from the University of Zurich, evaluated 45 male cats with urethral obstruction or lower urinary tract signs due to urethral obstruction. Follow-up information from telephone interviews was available for 39 cats. Of the 22 cats with idiopathic urethral obstruction, 36% re-obstructed after a range of 3-728 days (median 17 days). Of the 10 cats with urolithiasis, 30% re-obstructed and of the 7 cats with urethral plugs, 43% re-obstructed. Most cats (51%) experienced recurrent signs of lower urinary tract disease, including obstruction. The most common reason for euthanasia was recurrent obstruction and was the end result for 21% of the cases.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Gerber, B., F. S. Boretti, et al. (2005). "Evaluation of clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease in European cats." J Small Anim Pract 46(12): 571-7.
>> PubMed abstract


Houston, D., A. Moore, et al. (2003). "Feline urethral plugs and bladder uroliths: a review of 5484 submissions 1998-2003." Can Vet J 44: 974-977.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Gerber, B., S. Eichenberger, et al. (2008). "Guarded long-term prognosis in male cats with urethral obstruction." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 16-23.


This study, from the University of Zurich, evaluated 45 male cats with urethral obstruction or lower urinary tract signs due to urethral obstruction. Follow-up information from telephone interviews was available for 39 cats. Of the 22 cats with idiopathic urethral obstruction, 36% re-obstructed after a range of 3-728 days (median 17 days). Of the 10 cats with urolithiasis, 30% re-obstructed and of the 7 cats with urethral plugs, 43% re-obstructed. Most cats (51%) experienced recurrent signs of lower urinary tract disease, including obstruction. The most common reason for euthanasia was recurrent obstruction and was the end result for 21% of the cases.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Gerber, B., F. S. Boretti, et al. (2005). "Evaluation of clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease in European cats." J Small Anim Pract 46(12): 571-7.
>> PubMed abstract


Houston, D., A. Moore, et al. (2003). "Feline urethral plugs and bladder uroliths: a review of 5484 submissions 1998-2003." Can Vet J 44: 974-977.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More