Management of traumatic urethral rupture in 11 cats using primary alignment with a urethral catheter.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the management of traumatic urethral ruptures using a systematic attempt at urethral catheterisation.


METHODS
Eleven cats that had been diagnosed with a traumatic urethral rupture over a five-year period were included in this study. Rupture was assessed by positive-contrast retrograde urethrography. An attempt was made to manage these ruptures by placing an indwelling urethral catheter.


RESULTS
The placement of an indwelling urethral catheter, could be performed in 10 out of 11 cats, which indicated a partial rupture. In one cat, catheterisation was not possible because of complete urethral rupture. A urethral catheter was placed into the urinary bladder via the urethra in five animals. In the other five animals, urethral catheterization required cystotomy using a modified 'inside to outside' technique. Urethral catheter removal occurred between five and 14 days after placement. Urethral healing was accomplished in all cases of catheterisation with a good outcome in eight of the 10 cats. Two cats showed clinical signs related to stricture formation during the follow-up period (seven to 72 months). Retrograde urethrography provided a definitive diagnosis of partial rupture in only six of the 10 cases of partial rupture.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that primary alignment with the placement of a urethral catheter should be attempted for the management of traumatic urethral ruptures in cats. Gentle urethral catheterisation seems to be an effective procedure for diagnosing and dealing with partial urethral rupture in cats. Clinical stricture formation can occur, but the risk does not seem to be high. Further studies are warranted in order to define the ideal duration for maintenance of an indwelling urethral catheter in cases of traumatic partial urethral rupture.
Meige
F
F
Clinique Vétérinaire Occitanie, Toulouse, France. fredericmeige@yahoo.fr
Sarrau
S
S
Autefage
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*