Effect of intraurethral administration of atracurium besylate in male cats with urethral plugs

Objective To evaluate the effect of intraurethral administration of atracurium besylate for urinary obstruction resulting from urethral plugs in male cats. Methods Forty-five male cats were divided into the treatment group (n=25), in which 4 mL atracurium besylate solution (0.5 mg/mL) was injected into the urethral lumen, and the control group (n=20), treated with saline. All cats were then submitted to retrograde flushing until the removal of the occlusion was obtained. Results The percentage of cats in which the plug was removed at the first attempt was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treatment group (64%) than in the control group (15%). Moreover, the mean (+/- SD) time required for the removal of the urethral obstruction was significantly shorter in the treatment group than in the control group (21.1 +/- 16.2 seconds versus 235.2 +/- 132.4 seconds; P<0.001). Clinical Significance The results of this study indicate that in adult male cats with urethral plugs, urethral administration of atracurium besylate increases the proportion of animals in which the obstruction is removed at the first attempt and reduces the time required to remove the urethral plugs.