Preliminary experience with stenting for management of non-urolith urethral obstruction in eight cats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To (1) describe minimally invasive transurethral antegrade and retrograde techniques for the placement of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) to reestablish urethral patency in cats with non-urolith urethral obstructions and (2) to report the procedural complications, incontinence rates, and long-term effectiveness in maintaining a patent urethra.

STUDY DESIGN:

Case series.

ANIMALS:

Cats (n = 8).

METHODS:

Signalment, history, clinical signs, physical examination, severity of stranguria and incontinence, clinicopathologic data, diagnostic procedures performed, diagnosis, interventional technique, type and dimensions of stent placed, complications and final outcome of 8 cats treated with SEMS for the management of urethral strictures or masses are presented. Each cat was followed for ≥12 months. Follow-up information was obtained from the medical record or by telephone interview of the owner and/or referring veterinarian.

RESULTS:

Four cats were continent after stent placement, 2 were moderately incontinent, and 2 were severely incontinent. Long-term follow-up (median, 462 days) was available. At follow-up, 5 cats were alive and 3 had been euthanatized at 88, 233, and 305 days. Long-term outcome, as assessed by the authors, was good (1) to excellent (3) in 4 cats, and fair (2) to poor (2) in 4 cats. Owner reported outcomes were excellent in 3/8, good to excellent in 1/8, good in 2/8, and poor in 2/8.

CONCLUSION:

Palliative stenting of urethral obstructions is a minimally invasive method to re-establish urethral patency in cats.

• Authors: Megan A Brace, Chick Weisse, Allyson Berent
• Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS (Vet Surg) Vol. 43 Issue 2 Pg. 199-208 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1532-950X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24350569 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Topics

• Animals
• Cat Diseases (surgery)
• Cats
• Female
• Male
• Stents (veterinary)
• Urethral Obstruction (veterinary)