OBJECTIVE To determine outcomes of subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device placement for treatment of benign ureteral obstruction in cats. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 134 cats with SUB devices placed in 174 obstructed ureters during 144 hospitalizations. PROCEDURES Medical records of cats that underwent SUB device placement for treatment of benign ureteral obstruction between 2009 and 2015 were reviewed. The SUB device was placed by use of fluoroscopic and surgical methods. Signalment, history, diagnostic imaging results, postprocedural results, duration of hospitalization, complications, and short- and long-term outcomes were recorded. RESULTS Ureteral obstructions were caused by ureterolithiasis (114/174 [65.5%]), stricture (28/174 [16.1%]), both ureterolithiasis and stricture (29/174 [16.7%]), or pyonephrosis (1/174 [0.6%]); in 2 (1.1%) cats, the cause was not recorded. Fifty-two of the 134 (39%) cats had bilateral ureteral obstruction. At admission, 127 (95%) cats were azotemic. Median serum creatinine concentrations at admission and 3 months after SUB device placement were 6.6 and 2.6 mg/dL, respectively. Median renal pelvis diameters before and after the procedure were 9.2 and 1.5 mm, respectively. Postsurgical complications included device occlusion with blood clots (14/172 [8.1%]), device leakage (6/172 [3.5%]), and kinking of the device tubing (8/174 [4.6%]). Cats survived to hospital discharge after 135 of the 144 (94%) hospital admissions. The most common long-term complication was catheter mineralization (40/165 [24.2%]), which was documented a median of 463 days after device placement. A high postoperative serum ionized calcium concentration was significantly associated with SUB device occlusion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that SUB device placement may be a viable option for treatment of cats with benign ureteral obstruction.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the technical, short-term, and long-term outcomes in cats with benign ureteral obstructions treated by means of double-pigtail ureteral stent placement. DESIGN--Retrospective case series. ANIMALS--69 cats (79 ureters). PROCEDURES--The diagnosis of benign ureteral obstruction was made via abdominal ultrasonography, radiography, and ureteropyelography. Ureteral stent placement was attempted endoscopically, surgically, or both, with fluoroscopic guidance. The medical records were reviewed for pre-, intra-, and postoperative data; complications; and outcome. RESULTS--69 cats (79 ureters) had stent placement attempted for various causes: ureterolithiasis (56/79 [71%]), stricture (10/79 [13%]), both ureterolithiasis and stricture (12/79 [15%]), or a purulent plug (1/79 [1%]). Stent placement was successful in 75 of 79 ureters (95%). Median number of stones per ureter was 4 (range, 0 to > 50), and 67 of 79 (85%) had concurrent nephrolithiasis. Preoperative azotemia was present in 95% (66/69) of cats (median creatinine concentration, 5.3 mg/dL [range, 1.1 to 25.8 mg/dL]), and 71% (49/69) remained azotemic (median, 2.1 mg/dL [range, 1.0 to 11.8 mg/dL]) after successful surgery. Procedure-related, postoperative (< 7 days), short-term (7 to 30 days), and long-term (> 30 days) complications occurred in 8.7% (6/69; 7/79 ureters), 9.1% (6/66), 9.8% (6/61), and 33% (20/60) of cats, respectively; most of these complications were minor and associated with intermittent dysuria or the need for ureteral stent exchange. The perioperative mortality rate was 7.5% (5/69), and no deaths were procedure related. The median survival time was 498 days (range, 2 to > 1,278 days). For patients with a renal cause of death, median survival time was > 1,262 days, with only 14 of 66 cats (21%) dying of chronic kidney disease. Nineteen (27%) cats needed a stent exchange (stricture in-growth [n = 10], migration [4], ureteritis [2], dysuria [2], pyelonephritis [1], or reflux [1]). No patient died of the procedure or recurrent ureteral obstruction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE--Results of the present study indicated that ureteral stenting is an effective treatment for benign ureteral obstructions in cats regardless of obstructive location, cause, or stone number. The perioperative morbidity and mortality rates were lower than those reported with traditional ureteral surgery. The short- and long-term complications were typically minor but may necessitate stent exchange or use of an alternative device, particularly with ureteral strictures. The prognosis for feline ureteral obstructions after ureteral stenting could be considered good when the procedure is performed by trained specialists.

CLA-EU provided an effective, safe, and minimally invasive alternative to surgery for intramural ectopic ureters in female dogs.

Results suggested that endovascular treatment of intrahepatic shunts in dogs may result in lower morbidity and mortality rates, with similar success rates, compared with previously reported outcomes for open surgical procedures. Gastrointestinal ulceration was a common finding among this population of dogs, and lifelong gastroprotectant medications are now recommended.

Background: Feline ureteral obstructions have emerged as a common problem. Ureteral strictures rarely are reported as a cause and the predisposing factors and clinical course of this condition have not been described.Objectives: Evaluate cases of feline ureteral strictures and characterize historical features, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, surgical and endoscopic findings, histopathology, treatment modalities, and short-and long-term outcomes.Animals: Ten cats diagnosed with ureteral strictures based on compatible findings from at least 2 of the following: ultrasonography, ureteropyelography, surgical exploration, or histopathology.Methods: Retrospective study.Results: Median age, serum creatinine concentration, and size of the renal pelvis were 12 years, 3.7 mg/dL, and 11.75 mm, respectively. Six of 10 cats had hyperechoic periureteral tissue on ultrasound examination at the stricture site. Four cats had evidence of a circumcaval ureter at surgery. Eight cats had an intervention including ureteral stent placement (n 5 6) and traditional surgery (n 5 2). Seven of 8 cats had decreases in serum creatinine concentration and renal pelvic parameters preceding discharge and 6 had persistently improved results at their last examination. All patients survived to discharge. Median survival time was 4294 days (range, 14 to 4858 days) with 6/10 cats still alive.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Ureteral strictures may occur in cats secondary to ureteral surgery, inflammation, a circumcaval ureter, impacted ureterolithiasis, or for unknown causes. With appropriate and timely intervention, the prognosis for long-term survival is good. In addition to ureteral reimplantation or ureteronephrectomy, ureteral stenting or SC ureteral bypass may be considered as future therapeutic options.