Companion Animals

Urethral Stricture in Cats: Welfare and Surgical Management

Managing recurrent urethral obstruction and stricture in male cats to protect long-term welfare.

Key Facts

Urethral stricture develops after repeated or traumatic urethral catheterisation
Causes recurrent obstruction requiring escalating intervention
Perineal urethrostomy (PU) creates a permanent wider urethral opening
PU complications include urinary incontinence and increased infection risk — welfare trade-offs exist

Welfare Considerations

Urethral stricture represents a significant welfare burden — recurrent obstructions cause repeated acute pain and emergency procedures. Perineal urethrostomy resolves the obstruction risk definitively but carries its own welfare considerations. Welfare-centred decision-making discusses PU honestly — the procedure is welfare-improving for cats with recurrent obstruction despite risks. Post-surgical care and infection monitoring are essential.

What You Can Do

Discuss PU with your vet if your cat has experienced 2+ urethral obstructions
Understand both the benefits (obstruction prevention) and risks (infection, incontinence) of PU before deciding
Monitor post-PU cats closely for urinary infection — prophylactic management reduces risk