Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Male neutered cat with urethral osteosarcoma causing urination
By Liza Maria Mulder et al.·Published in Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica·2025·Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma in the urethra of a male neutered: a case report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was brought in for difficulty urinating, straining, and blood in the urine. After initial X-rays, the cat was referred for further tests and surgery, but the vet found that a suspected bladder stone could not be removed. Unfortunately, the cat was euthanized during the procedure, and tests later confirmed that he had an osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer) in the urethra. This case highlights the importance of considering cancer when a cat shows urinary symptoms, especially if stones are not found.
People also search for: cat blood in urine · cat difficulty urinating · cat osteosarcoma treatment
Abstract
Abstract Background This report describes a case of extraskeletal osteosarcoma in the proximal urethra of a male neutered cat, highlighting the associated clinical challenges. Case presentation A 9-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat presented to the referring veterinarian with symptoms of stranguria, dysuria, and haematuria. Following abdominal radiographs, the cat was referred to a specialty centre for abdominal ultrasound and surgical intervention. During an exploratory laparotomy aimed at removing a suspected urolith, it became clear that the removal was not feasible, leading to the decision to euthanize the cat while still under anaesthesia. Histopathological examination of the urinary bladder and urethra confirmed the presence of an osteosarcoma in the urethra. Conclusions While extraskeletal osteosarcoma has been documented in cats, there are no known reports specifically detailing osteosarcomas of the urethra and bladder in this species. When cats present with stranguria and dysuria, and the diagnosis is not evidently an urolith, osteosarcoma should be considered among the differential diagnoses. Further diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan, may be warranted to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-025-00811-y