Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Balloon stent relieves urethral blockage from cancer in a cat
By Newman, Rebecca G et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2009·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of a balloon-expandable metallic stent to relieve malignant urethral obstruction in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 19-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was brought in due to signs of urinary blockage. The vet found a mass near the bladder and another in the lung, but tests didn’t provide a clear diagnosis. To help relieve the blockage, a balloon-expandable metallic stent was placed in the urethra. While the cat experienced some urinary incontinence after the procedure, this improved with treatment. Unfortunately, the cat was euthanized a month later due to worsening kidney issues, and tests revealed advanced cancer in the bladder and lungs.
People also search for: cat urinary blockage treatment · cat bladder cancer symptoms · elderly cat incontinence treatment
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 19-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of signs of urinary tract obstruction. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination findings were consistent with urethral obstruction, and a mass could be palpated in the region of the bladder neck. Abdominal ultrasonography and thoracic radiography revealed a mass in the trigone of the urinary bladder and a solitary mass in the left caudal lung lobe. Cytologic examination of the urine sediment, samples obtained by means of traumatic urethral catheterization, and fine-needle aspirates of the bladder mass did not result in a diagnosis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: A balloon-expandable metallic stent was placed in the proximal portion of the urethra to relieve the malignant obstruction. After stent placement, the cat had signs of urinary incontinence and detrusor atony, both of which resolved with medical treatment. The cat was euthanized 1 month after stent placement because of progressive azotemia. Histologic examination of necropsy samples revealed grade III urothelial carcinoma and papillary pulmonary adenocarcinoma. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that stent placement may be a viable palliative treatment in cats with malignant urinary obstruction.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19210243/