Step 1
An elliptical incisions is made around the scrotum and prepuce
Urethral Obstructions in the Cat
What is a Urethral Obstruction in Cats?
The intent of the UO is to create a new opening (stoma) at the level of the PELVIC urethra. This is where the urethra is at its widest and therefore the least likely to be obstructed by the passage of small uroliths or organic debris. In order to accomplish that, the entire penile urethra (and therefore the penis) must be amputated.
Situational Awareness
This is a LIFE SAVING surgery.
Unfortunately, the UO has a bad reputation because of a reported high rate of stricturing. The truth is that the most common reason why cats reblock/stricture is because the PU was improperly done. In order to get to the wide pelvic urethra, you have to free up the penis and penile urethra from its attachments to the pelvis. This part can give the inexperienced surgeon trepidation (and it should). The inexperienced often stop short of the goal and make the new opening just above the current obstruction, in the penile urethra rather than the pelvic urethra. Don’t make this mistake.
Ascending urethritis/cystitis can occur in UO cats. Although a nuisance, this problem is readily managed medically and should not be a deterrent for proceeding with the surgery.
Get Ready for Urethral Obstruction in the Cat
All the information you need.
Fully narrated surgical videos.
In depth guide and more.
This content is designed for veterinary professionals. If you are a pet owner, please consult your vet if you have any questions about a surgery.
Pre-Surgical Considerations
When is it time to perform a UO:
Stabilize the patient:
Preoperative diagnostics:
What the Client Needs to Know
Step by Step UO in cats
An elliptical incisions is made around the scrotum and prepuce
The subcutaneous tissues are cleared until the penis and the ischiocavernosus (IC) muscles (arrow) are clearly visible.
The IC muscle is isolated, clamped and transected between hemostat and tuber ischium.
The ventral fascia securing the penis to the pubis is cut.
An incision is made over the urethra and extended with straight iris scissors along the dorsum of the urethra up to and in between the bulbourethral glands.
Skin to mucosa sutures are placed at 12o’clock, then 1:00 and 11:00 o’clock. I like to use 4-0 Vicryl Rapide for suturing.
Skin to mucosa sutures are continued distally on either side of opened urethra (drainboard); the distal portion of the penis is amputated. The remainder of the drainboard is sutured to the skin.
Get Ready to Perform a UO
Preferred instrumentation for this surgery:
Post-operative Considerations:
Get Ready to Perform a UO
Preferred instrumentation for this surgery:
Post-operative Considerations:
The best way to be more confident when doing this procedure is to have an experienced surgeon looking over your shoulder guiding you and encouraging you. The information in this virtual workshop is the next best thing. Surgery is more than following a step-by step pictorial description.
What you get when you register for this course:
Managing Urethral Obstructions in the Cat: Q&A
How long do cats live after UO?
What is a cat’s quality of life (QoL) after a UO surgery:
In a study published in 2020, 100% of cat owners reported a good-to-excellent QoL after this procedure (75% reported excellent). Re-blockage in cats with a properly done UO occurs in less than 1.7% of cases (J Feline Med Surg. 202022:582-588).
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