Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat straining to urinate for a week - what helped?
By Ma D et al.·2026·College of Veterinary Medicine, China·View original on Europe PMC →
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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 happening for a week. After imaging, the vet found a small stricture in the urethra. They performed a specialized procedure using a microlancet to open the stricture and placed a stent to keep the area open. The surgery went smoothly, and the cat was able to urinate normally afterward, with follow-up checks showing the stent was well integrated and there were no complications.
People also search for: cat difficulty urinating · feline urethral stricture treatment · cat urinary blockage surgery
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Case description</h4>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.<h4>Procedure</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Conclusion</h4>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 Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41960354