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Treatment of the Canine Urethral Obstruction | VetGirl Veterinary CE Videos

In this VETgirl video, we demonstrate how to unblock a canine urethral obstruction patient. This patient presented with signs of hematuria, dysuria, pollakiuria, and stranguria. Survey radiographs revealed a severe urethral obstruction secondary to multiple urethral calculi. With this severe of an “unblocking,” use of general anesthesia is recommended (with a benzodiazepine as part of the pre-medication to allow for appropriate relaxation). The patient should have a decompressive cystocentesis to help relieve the obstruction and alleviate back pressure on the urethra. Then, using a sterile lubrication and saline mix, aggressive flushing with a large French red rubber catheter should be used. This technique is designed to retropulse the urethral calculi back into the bladder, allowing for immediate cystotomy to remove the obstructions. Unfortunately in this video, one large urethral calculi was still present in the urethra despite aggressive attempts to retropulse. A urethrotomy was necessary to remove the stone, along with cystotomy. As urethrotomy can result in stricture, this technique should only be performed if aggressive retropulsion fails.

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