Contributors: William Brewer Jr, Irene Rochlitz
Species: Feline | Classification: Diseases
Introduction Pathogenesis Diagnosis Treatment Outcomes Further Reading
Introduction
- Rare.
- Signs: urinary frequency/mild incontinence to severe urinary retention.
- Diagnosis: difficult to detect radiographically.
- Treatment: most are not treatable (except distal urethra in male: amputation and urethrostomy).
Presenting Signs
- Chronic dysuria.
- Occasionally signs of uremia Uremia.
Age Predisposition
- >8 years old.
Special Risks
- Anesthesia Anesthesia: in renal insufficiency if obstructed due to possible electrolyte imbalances.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Unknown.
Timecourse
- Weeks to months.
Diagnosis
Presenting Problems
- Cystitis/urethritis Cystitis: bacterial.
- Dysuria/anuria.
Client History
- Mild incontinence.
- Urinary frequency to severe retention.
- Stanguria.
Clinical Signs
- Distended bladder if obstructed.
- May be pain on abdominal palpation.
Diagnostic Investigation
Contrast radiography
- Positive contrast urethrogram if catheterization possible.
- Positive contrast vaginogram or excretory radiography may allow urethral visualization if catheterization not possible.
Radiography
- Abdominal radiography Radiography: abdomen may show anterior abdominal mass or enlarged sublumbar lymph nodes .
- Thoracic radiography Radiography: thorax for pulmonary metastases.
Urinalysis
- Presence of neoplastic cells in urine sediment Urinalysis: centrifuged sediment - may be present in free catch sample Urine collection: freeflow but not cystocentesis Cystocentesis sample due to location of tumor.
Histopathology
- Surgical or catheter biopsy.
Histopathology Findings
- Transitional cell carcinoma.
- Squamous cell carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma.
Differential Diagnosis
- Granulomatous urethritis.
Treatment
Initial Symptomatic Treatment
- Little information on treatment in cats.
- Preliminary studies suggest a partial response may be seen with piroxicam Piroxicam.
- Palliative antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Standard Treatment
- Most tumors are not amenable to therapy.
- Distal urethral tumors of male: amputation Penis: amputation and urethrostomy Urethrostomy.
- Tube cystotomy to relieve obstruction (ethically questionable).
Outcomes
Prognosis
- Poor for most tumors in female.
- Reasonable for distal urethral tumors in male following surgery.
Expected Response to Treatment
Reasons for Treatment Failure
Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Léveillé R (1998) Ultrasonography of urinary bladder disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 28 (4), 799-821 PubMed.
- Buffington C A, Chew D J, Kendall M S et al (1997) Clinical evaluation of cats with nonobstructive urinary tract diseases. JAVMA 210 (1), 46-50 PubMed.
- Swalec K M, Smeak D D, Baker A L (1989) Urethral leiomyoma in a cat. JAVMA 195 (7), 961-962 PubMed.
- Barrett R E, Nobel T A (1976) Transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra in a cat. Cornell Vet 66 (1), 14-26 PubMed.