Case report: Primary urethral repair in a cat secondary to urethral tear sustained during catheterization procedure

Kimery L Hankins ^* Laurie A Zacher

• Central Texas Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital, Austin, United States

This report describes a case of a primary urethral repair secondary to a urethral tear in a 4-yearold, male castrated, domestic shorthair cat. The cat was initially presented on an emergency basis for complete urethral obstruction with radiographic evidence of cystolithiasis. A perineal urethrostomy and concurrent cystotomy were performed in order to relieve the urethral obstruction and retrieve the uroliths. One day postoperatively, a uroabdomen secondary to a urethral tear was diagnosed. An indwelling foley catheter was placed. A contrast cystourethrogram performed four days later, however, revealed a persistent urethral tear so a foley catheter was replaced. Seven days after replacement, another contrast cystourethrogram was performed revealing a persistent urethral tear. Due to anatomic location of the tear identified on radiographs after the contrast study, primary closure of the urethral defect with placement of a foley urinary catheter was completed. Another contrast urethrogram seven days after repair revealed a resolved defect with no leakage appreciated once the urinary catheter was removed. This case highlights the management, surgical techniques, and success of a primary urethral repair in a cat. It demonstrates successful outcome and follow up for an uncommon procedure and illustrates the importance of the initial catheterization for blocked felines.