Interventional Management of Urethral Obstructions

Lower urinary tract (LUT) emergencies are common reasons for small animal patients to be presented to their veterinarians. Patient stabilization and management of life-threatening problems is a priority in this population. Urethral obstruction is a common LUT emergency. Urethral stent placement has gained popularity over the past decade, allowing for a minimally invasive, image-guided method for relief of urethral obstruction in some patient populations. This article focuses on candidate selection, diagnostic workup, stent placement technique, and the expected outcome and complications for patients undergoing urethral stent placement and addresses some additional strategies for interventional management of LUT emergencies.