Retained urethral catheter forming a closed loop secondary to excessive length in a cat: A non‐invasive technique to unwind and remove the loop

Abstract

AbstractA polytraumatised, 5‐year‐old, neutered, male cat was diagnosed with a retained urethral catheter due to inadvertent excessive catheter insertion. The catheter formed a closed loop within the urinary bladder with the distal end travelling antegrade along the urethra. Unfortunately, first attempts to remove the catheter tightened the loop, preventing removal. Abdominal radiographs confirmed development of a loop obstructing the urethra. Careful palpation of the catheter residing in the urinary bladder was performed under general anaesthesia. The loop was unwound with external digital palpation and gentle cranial pulling. This technique avoided an emergency surgery in an already polytraumatised animal.The goal of this article is to describe a novel non‐invasive technique to safely withdraw a retained urinary catheter in cats. Clinical signs, differential diagnosis, risk factors, non‐invasive and invasive treatment options and prevention of a retained catheter are discussed.