title: Coccygeal epidural with local anesthetic for catheterization and pain management in the treatment of feline urethral obstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the technique for performing a coccygeal epidural injection of local anesthetic to facilitate catheterization in male cats with urethral obstructions using low-dose sedation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prompt diagnosis and relief of urethral obstructions is important as many cats may have developed marked metabolic abnormalities at the time of presentation. General anesthesia in these patients may be associated with significant risk for complications. Pain management is also an essential treatment goal, and this technique relieves urethral and penile pain during the unblocking process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coccygeal epidurals can be used safely to provide analgesia to the penis and urethra and to the authors' knowledge, is a novel treatment modality to aid in the relief of urethral obstructions in male cats.
authors.affiliation: Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA. aohearndvm@gmail.com
authors.forename: Angela K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: O'Hearn
authors.forename: Bonnie D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000662:veterinary; D002415:Cats; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014524:Urethral Obstruction / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local