Subcutaneous ureteral bypass device placement in 81 cats with benign ureteral obstruction (2013-2018).

Abstract

BackgroundBenign ureteral obstructions (BUOs) present a therapeutic challenge in cats.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the outcome and complications associated with placement of subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device in cats.AnimalsEighty‐one client‐owned cats (117 kidneys) with BUO treated by placement of a SUB.MethodsRetrospective study. Medical records of cats with BUO and treated by SUB device placement between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed. Outcome and complications were documented.ResultsHospital discharge rate was 94% (76/81). Serum creatinine on admission and at the time of discharge was 5.3 mg/dL (range, 1.2 to >15 mg/dL) and 2.1 mg/dL (range, 1.1‐12.5 mg/dL), respectively. Luminal obstructions were documented in 17% (18/109) of the SUB devices of 16 cats discharged from the hospital. Infection was documented in 26% (20/76) of discharged cats. Kink of the device was documented in 10% (12/117) of devices. Time to luminal obstruction and kink were 204 days (range, 21‐1678 days) and 58 days (range, 2‐601 days), respectively. Fourteen of 81 (17%) cats required a revision surgery in order to restore patency of the device. At the time of writing, 53% (43/81) of cats were alive, with a mean survival time of 821 days (range, 1‐2170 days) after surgery. Of those that died, 52% (20/38) died of urinary related causes.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceThis study suggests that SUB device placement is associated with good outcomes and could be considered for the treatment of BUO in cats.