Bladder catheterization in a cat: technique and consequences

Bladder catheterization in cats is a procedure performed by veterinarians to treat pathologies of the genitourinary system of pets. Most often, this method is the only way to save a pet in case of acute urinary retention. This condition is caused by urolithiasis. This pathology is characterized by the formation of stones in the internal organs of the animal, which disrupt the normal flow of urine and cause bladder overflow. Below we will talk in more detail about the procedure.

What it is?

Catheterization of the bladder in cats is necessary for the treatment of urolithiasis, cystitis and other pathologies of the genitourinary system. The procedure can only be performed by a veterinarian, as a person without special knowledge can cause serious injury to the penis or urethra.

With the help of catheterization, you can introduce the necessary medications into the organ, alleviate the cat’s condition, and also take urine for further research. The event, carried out in a veterinary clinic, is harmless to the animal, since only experienced doctors are allowed to perform it.

Reasons for the appearance of a lump after vaccination in the clinic

Vaccination of a cat
Veterinary clinics value their own reputation, therefore they follow the rules for transporting and storing biological products. Only clinically healthy animals are vaccinated. Advise owners on what to do if complications arise.

They report what precautions should be taken until the immune system produces antibodies in a concentration capable of protecting the animal from infectious agents.

However, even then, the cat may develop bumps for the following reasons:

Features of the biological product - when the instructions suggest intramuscular administration, a swelling may form at the injection site, which goes away on its own in 3-14 days. You should not start self-medication, since the functioning of the immune system is disrupted. If the owner seems that the formed swelling does not go away for too long, it is necessary to contact the veterinarian who administered the vaccination.
Features of the cat: individual reaction to the components of the drug. Sometimes an allergy to repeated administration is possible. To strengthen the immune system, kittens are injected with the biological product again after 2-4 weeks. When administered for the first time, the immune system remembers the enemy, and the next time it appears, it takes measures to destroy it. At best, a lump forms; at worst, an allergic reaction like anaphylactic shock develops. The immune system is vindictive. It can also provoke a reaction when an adult cat is revaccinated a year after the previous one.
Development of a malignant tumor. Post-vaccination sarcoma, also known as Post-injection sarcoma. The tumor is called vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS) because it begins to grow after the use of vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. In cats, this is a vaccine against rabies or leukemia. According to statistics, 1 animal in several thousand gets sick. The reasons for the start of the oncological process are not fully understood. Vaccination results in a shake-up of the immune system, which accelerates the formation of tumors in predisposed cats. There is a hypothesis that some animals have a genetic predisposition to this cancer. This is subject to the fact that some cats from the same litter at different ages develop these problems. The neoplasm occurs at the injection site or another part of the body. The owner notices her a few months after vaccination. However, the influence of another pathological factor, any other injection, cannot be excluded. But the concerned owners linked the cause of the disease to vaccination.

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Mark on the page of the veterinary passport.

Despite following the rules for cat immunization, swelling may form at the injection site, which most often goes away on its own without any treatment.

To whom is it assigned?

The main indications for performing the bladder catheterization technique in a cat include:

Urolithiasis disease.
Idiopathic cystitis.
Various obstructions of the urinary canal.
Collecting urine for analysis.
Bladder surgeries requiring permanent absence of urine.
Inflammation of the urethra.
Disorders in which the pet cannot urinate on its own (paralysis).

Preparation

As a rule, before starting the procedure, the specialist carries out a number of preparatory measures, which include:

Research for contraindications and reasons for catheterization. If this procedure is not possible, other methods of removing urine from the organ are chosen as treatment.
Anesthesia. It is necessary so that the pet does not feel pain during all manipulations. Without pain relief, the cat can harm both itself and the veterinarian. Sedation or general anesthesia is most often used. The first option applies to pets with lack of appetite, severe intoxication, various functional disorders and a prolonged course of the disease. The second option is used in animals whose condition is assessed as satisfactory, without severe intoxication and without heart and vascular diseases. Catheterization of the bladder in cats without anesthesia is carried out only in the case of an extremely serious condition of the animal.
Hygienic measures. Before the procedure, the hair from and around the penis is shaved, and the skin is disinfected. This is necessary to prevent pathogenic microflora from entering the bladder.
Additional pain relief. Various local aerosol analgesics are used as local anesthesia. This further reduces sensitivity, since the head of the penis contains many nerve endings. Without analgesia, the cat will feel pain even under anesthesia.

How to remove an intravenous catheter

The cat owner has to carry out this procedure 5 days after installation, in case of mechanical damage to the catheter, or if the pet’s limb with branula is swollen.

The catheter is usually located on the cat's front legs. It is fixed with the turn of a regular adhesive plaster. In order to remove the intravenous catheter from the cat, it is enough to cut this dressing from bottom to top. Then the remaining patch must be carefully removed from the pet's hair. After this manipulation, you can remove the catheters from the cat’s paws by pulling out the plastic tube from the vein. Apply a thick bandage soaked in alcohol to the previous location of the scold, and bandage the paw for the next hour.

When carrying out this procedure, you should pay attention to the fact that:

When the device is pulled out, the animal may try to escape. Therefore, removing a cat’s catheter at home is much easier with two people;
when pulling out the tube, the movement should be careful, but as fast as possible;
instead of alcohol, you can use a solution of furatsilin or hydrogen peroxide to wet the disinfectant swab;
If suspicious symptoms appear after removing the catheter, it is better to seek help from a veterinarian. Such uncharacteristic signs when removing the device include: swelling of the extremities, discoloration of the skin, lameness or clenching of the paw, pain on palpation, development of hyperthermia, lack of appetite, weak and apathetic state;
It is best to use nail scissors to cut the patch, as they will remove the bandage more accurately. If the animal twitches, then it is better to give preference to a device with rounded ends.

Bladder catheterization in a cat: how to do it

The procedure is carried out as follows:

A catheter with a mandrel lubricated with lubricant is inserted into the lumen of the urethra. Lubrication is necessary to ensure that the instrument does not damage the walls of the urinary canal.
If the device encounters various obstructions before entering the bladder, then a special solution is injected through the catheter, destroying the plugs and facilitating its further advancement.
When the instrument enters the bladder, urine begins to flow out. By smell and color, the veterinarian can determine the condition of the organ and prescribe appropriate therapy. Part of the urine is taken for further testing.
If there is blood in the urine, we can say that the integrity of the walls of the organ is compromised. In this case, the specialist rinses the bladder with a special solution, most often novocaine, to remove crusts and blood clots that have formed in the organ, as well as to prevent the problem from reoccurring.
If necessary, the catheter is left in place for several days. This is necessary so that urine is artificially removed from the body. In this case, the pet is prescribed medication and diet therapy to help relieve acute symptoms.

Care

During bladder catheterization in a cat, the pet is prescribed antibacterial agents to prevent the development of pathogenic microflora in the urethra and bladder. In this case, the owner of the animal must follow all the veterinarian’s recommendations for treatment.

In addition, it is necessary to maintain the sterility of the catheter itself. If it is present for several days, the device should be washed with a special solution recommended by a doctor. You also need to monitor the condition of the fur in the perineal area and keep it clean, and regularly treat the genitals with antibacterial solutions of chlorhexidine or furatsilin. This will prevent the development of infections.

Vaccines: when should a cat be given?

Vaccination is an important part of caring for your pet.

Vaccinations help strengthen the animal’s immunity, as well as protect it and the owner from serious diseases that can lead to the death of the furry pet.

Vaccination is also necessary before traveling and traveling, visiting exhibitions and shows where contact with other pets is possible. Vaccinations will also be required before mating to ensure the birth of healthy and active kittens. Animals, just like people, have a vaccination schedule, which every owner who wants the animal to be healthy is obliged to follow.

Bladder catheterization in a cat: consequences

After this treatment procedure, your pet may experience various complications, which include:

Lack of diuresis. Due to the fact that the urethral muscles are in spasm, the pet cannot go to the toilet. To eliminate the pathology and relieve unpleasant symptoms, the animal is prescribed antispasmodics.
Urethral injuries. Can occur if the specialist is inexperienced. In such a situation, the cat must be taken to the veterinarian again. The injuries are characterized by severe pain in the urethral area, the cat licks the sore spot and cannot urinate normally. Sometimes there may be blood in the urine.
The cat often licks itself after bladder catheterization. This may be due to unpleasant sensations after the procedure, which will accompany the pet for some time, or due to the presence of injuries.