Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Male cat with pelvic urethral stricture treated by stent
By Ma, Danfu et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2026·College of Veterinary Medicine, China·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Microlancet-assisted internal urethrotomy with stent placement for feline pelvic urethral stricture: a case report.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was brought in for difficulty urinating, known as stranguria, which had been going on for a week. After imaging, the vet found a small stricture in the urethra that was causing the blockage. They performed a special procedure using a microlancet to open the stricture and placed a stent to keep the urethra open. Fortunately, the cat recovered well, was able to urinate normally again, and showed no complications during follow-up checks.
People also search for: cat difficulty urinating · cat urethral stricture treatment · cat urinary blockage recovery
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intrapelvic urethral strictures in male cats are challenging to manage. Standard perineal urethrostomy cannot address lesions within the pelvic canal, and alternative open surgical techniques carry high morbidity. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old intact male domestic shorthair cat with concurrent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease presented with a 7-day history of stranguria. Diagnostic imaging revealed a focal 1-mm stricture in the post-prostatic urethra. PROCEDURE: Under fluoroscopic guidance, retrograde internal urethrotomy was performed using a 1.3 × 130 mm urethral microlancet via a dorsal approach. A self-expanding laser-cut nitinol stent (5.0 mm × 50 mm) was deployed across the stricture. A double-lumen balloon catheter was placed through the stent for 14 days to promote mucosal integration and prevent migration. RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 30 min with no complications. Urethral patency was immediately restored. Follow-up cystoscopy at 7 and 14 days demonstrated progressive epithelial ingrowth and near-complete encapsulation of the stent without restenosis. The cat regained normal urination. CONCLUSION: This report describes the first successful use of microlancet internal urethrotomy combined with nitinol stenting for an intrapelvic urethral stricture in a cat. The technique offers a promising minimally invasive alternative to conventional urethrostomy in high-risk cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41960354/