Study of risk factors and clinicopathological findings associated with urethral obstruction in tom cats in Kerala

Twelve clinical cases of urethral obstruction in tom cats presented to University Veterinary Hospitals of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University at Kokkalai and Mannuthythat had undergone urinary diversion procedures on the day of presentation were selected for the study. Signalment and anamnesis of the animals were studied to find the risk factors associated with urethral obstruction. The prevalence of urethral obstruction was found to be higher in uncastrated Persian breed of cats,which were one to two years of age. All cats had history of being fed with dry commercial diet, lowered water intake and living indoor. The stress factors identified were inter-cat conflict, fear, relocation, presence of guests and change in owner’s routine. Haematobiochemical profile of these cats revealed significant changes in haematocrit and total erythrocyte count values.Elevated blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus and potassium were observed which significantly reduced following bladder evacuation. Urinalysis revealed haematuria, proteinuria,leukocyturia and struvituriaas frequently encountered findings in tom cats with urethral obstruction.