A protocol for managing urethral obstruction in male cats without urethral catheterization

Objective To determine efficacy of a protocol for managing urethral obstruction (UO) in male cats without urethral catheterization Design-Clinical trial Animals 15 male cats with UO in which conventional treatment had been declined Procedures Laboratory testing and abdominal radiography were performed and cats with severe metabolic derangements or urinary calculi were excluded Treatment included administration of acepromazine (0 25 mg IM or 2 5 mg PO q 8 h) buprenorphine (0 075 mg PO q 8 h) and medetomidine (0 1 mg IM q 24 h) and decompressive cystocentesis and SC administration of fluids as needed Cats were placed in a quiet dark environment to minimize stress Treatment success was defined as spontaneous urination within 72 hours and subsequent discharge from the hospital Results Treatment was successful in 11 of the 15 cats In the remaining 4 cats treatment was considered to have failed because of development of uroabdomen (n = 3) or hemoabdomen (1) Cats in which treatment failed had significantly higher serum creatinine concentral ions than did cats in which treatment was successful Necropsy was performed on 3 cats in which treatment had failed All 3 had severe inflammatory disease of the urinary bladder but none had evidence of bladder rupture Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Results suggested that in male cats a combination of pharmacological treatment decompressive cystocentesis and a low-stress environment may allow for resolution of UO without the need for urethral catheterization This low-cost protocol could serve as an alternative to euthanasia when financial constraints prevent more extensive treatment (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2010 237 1261-1266)