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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Medical treatment outcomes for blocked ureters in cats

By Merindol, Isabelle et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Department of Clinical Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Benign ureteral obstruction in cats: Outcome with medical management.

Species:
cat

Plain-English summary

A group of 72 cats with blocked kidneys due to benign ureteral obstruction (BUO) were treated with medical management for over three days. The most common cause of the blockage was stones, but some had strictures or infections. After treatment, about 30% of the kidneys showed complete success, while 57% did not respond well. Cats with smaller stones had a better chance of recovery, and those that did respond had a median survival time of nearly three years.

People also search for: cat kidney blockage treatment · benign ureteral obstruction in cats · cat kidney stones symptoms · how to treat cat urethral obstruction

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available regarding the outcome of medical management (MM) of benign ureteral obstruction in cats (BUO). HYPOTHESIS: Describe clinical characteristics and outcome of MM of BUO. ANIMALS: Seventy-two client-owned cats with 103 obstructed kidneys. METHODS: Medical records of cats diagnosed with BUO between 2010 and 2021 that received >72&#x2009;hours of MM were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data, treatment, and outcome were reviewed. Outcome was classified as success, partial success, or failure based on ultrasound findings. Factors associated with outcome were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-two cats with 103 obstructed kidneys were enrolled. The causes of obstruction were uroliths in 73% (75/103), strictures in 13.5% (14/103), and pyonephrosis in 13.5% (14/103) of affected kidneys. Median serum creatinine concentration at presentation was 4.01&#x2009;mg/dL (range, 1.30-21.3&#x2009;mg/dL). Outcome after MM was considered a success in 30% (31/103), partial success in 13% (13/103), and failure in 57% (59/103) of kidneys. Success was reported in 23% (17/75) of kidneys with uroliths, 50% (7/14) with pyonephrosis, and 50% (7/14) with strictures. Median time to a successful outcome was 16&#x2009;days (range, 3-115&#x2009;days). Distal and smaller uroliths (median length, 1.85&#x2009;mm) were significantly associated with success (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.05 and P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.01, respectively). Median survival times were 1188&#x2009;days (range, 60-1700&#x2009;days), 518&#x2009;days (range, 7-1812&#x2009;days), and 234&#x2009;days (range, 4-3494&#x2009;days) for success, partial success, and failure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We found a higher success rate for MM of BUO than previously reported. Smaller distal uroliths (<1-2&#x2009;mm) were more likely to pass.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37073892/