Complications of Lower Urinary Tract Surgery in Small Animals

A 2-year-old castrated male Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) presented with a 3- to 4-week history of stranguria and intermittent lower urinary tract obstruction. A complete blood count, serum chemistry analysis, urinalysis, urine culture, radiographic imaging, and ultrasonography helped formulate a diagnosis of severe, chronic cystitis-induced lower urinary tract obstruction. The patient was treated using a pigtail drainage catheter followed by scrotal urethrostomy and abdominal exploratory surgery. Lower urinary tract disease and obstruction can occur sporadically in rodent species, resulting in presentation for hematuria, stranguria, decreased appetite, and lethargy. When complete obstruction occurs, urinary catheterization and/or surgical intervention are warranted. This case report demonstrates the use of scrotal urethrostomy for treatment of complicated lower urinary tract obstruction in a rodent species.