A urinary blockage is a serious medical emergency in any species. The majority of the time, however, this issue is seen in male cats, according to veterinary medicine.
If your cat has struggled with a single or multiple urinary blockages, your veterinarian may suggest a procedure called a perineal urethrostomy.
What Is a Perineal Urethrostomy?
The urethra gradually shrinks as it approaches the outside of the body, especially in male cats. They are therefore the most frequent patient group for a urinary obstruction.
Cats are prone to a condition known as feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD), which can result in bladder irritation, urinary tract infections, and the production of urinary crystals. If your cat has FLUTD, blood clots and urine crystals could get stuck where the urethra narrows.
The constrictive portion of your cat’s urethra is surgically removed during a perineal urethrostomy, sometimes referred to as a PU procedure, in order to shorten the urethra. By doing this, they will be less likely to develop a blockage in the future. ]]
Which Circumstances Require a Perineal Urethrostomy?
Male cats with urinary blockages do not necessarily require PU surgery. If your cat only gets one blockage, heals from it, then doesn’t get another one, they’ll probably make it without one. However, if your cat’s veterinarian has cleared a urinary blockage only for it to return right again, your cat may be a candidate for a PU operation.
There are a few more things to think about before scheduling surgery for your cat because the procedure requires general anesthesia. The age of the animal, the results of any blood tests, and its cardiac health will all be taken into account by your veterinarian. You should also try to prevent your cat from jumping off and onto tall items if you want to keep them as calm and quiet as possible.
Can my normal veterinarian do a perineal urethrostomy?
Regrettably, PU procedures are not performed as regularly as spay and neuter surgeries. If your cat requires this surgery, you might want to think about having it done by a board-certified veterinary surgeon since they will have far more experience conducting it.
Naturally, more prestigious qualifications cost more, thus the whole cost can be higher than if your regular veterinarian handled it. You and your veterinarian will decide what is most practical for you and your cat. The vast majority of these veterinary specialists are housed in referral centers with ample space.
If you get the procedure done by your regular veterinarian, you might be able to stay closer to home and save money. Furthermore, it could be difficult to find a local surgeon who has received board certification.
Perineal urethrostomy aftercare
A patient frequently stays in the hospital for the first night following surgery. Your cat’s ability to pee and produce urine will be examined by your veterinarian. Keep your cat confined to a small area when you get home so you can monitor their restroom habits closely.
Use a low-dust, clay-free litter up until your cat is totally recovered from surgery. Commercial cat litter made of paper is the ideal substrate to use following PU surgery. The benefits of the surgery will be weighed against your cat’s potential risks from general anesthesia.
Your cat will need to wear an e-collar to prevent them from licking at their incision. The surgical gowns that some people use for spay recoveries might not be appropriate for this type of procedure since they might not entirely cover your cat’s wound.
If you detect any redness, swelling, leakage, or pain at the incision site, if your cat seems to be having trouble urinating, or if they don’t act like themselves a few days after leaving the hospital, have them examined by your veterinarian.
If your cat has FLUTD or any other related urinary condition, it’s imperative to maintain medication following surgery. Although it is not totally eradicated, the likelihood of a cat experiencing a urinary blockage is greatly reduced after PU surgery.
Perineal urethrostomy operations are rarely performed in general practice veterinary clinics. If you think this procedure would be beneficial for your cat, talk to your doctor. They can answer any queries you might have regarding the procedure as well as any worries you might have about sedatedly putting your pet to sleep.
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If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your family pet, know the pet’s health history, and may make the best recommendations for your pet.
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