Author: Cyndi Haslam RVN, GradCertAVN(ECC), CertVNECC. Cyndi is a weekend night emergency and critical care RVN at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals at the Royal Veterinary College. She is passionate about emergency and critical care. Outside work, Cyndi loves spending time with her two children, two spaniels, two cats and husband, Paul.

ABSTRACT This case study describes a male domestic shorthair cat with urethral obstruction (UO). The cat was catheterised by its primary care practice, hospitalised for the day and then transferred to the out-of-hours (OOH) provider. On admission of the patient, a urine collection set was in place with the clamp closed, which occluded the urine flow. There was no evidence of urine in the system, despite it having been placed several hours previously. The patient was stuporous and had severe metabolic acidosis, and was given a grave prognosis. Unfortunately, due to the patient’s critical condition and financial constraints, it was euthanased within 1 hour of admission. The case highlights the importance of continuity of care when transferring patients to an OOH service. Key nursing points include a focus on metabolic acidosis and the monitoring of trends, and fluid therapy and the effect it can have on acidaemia in these cases. It also highlights the role of the veterinary nurse in monitoring patients with UO.
Keywords urethral obstruction, metabolic acidosis, hyperkalaemia, post-obstructive diuresis, emergency and critical care, nursing

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56496/ZCQD3790

To cite this article: Critical nursing care of feline urethral obstruction – A case study. Haslam, C. (2024) VNJ 39 (3) pp 40-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56496/ZCQD3790

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