Temporary Tube Cystostomy as a Treatment for Urinary Obstruction Secondary to Adrenal Disease in Four Ferrets

Abstract

Adrenal neoplasia is a common problem in middle-aged to older ferrets. Male ferrets may present for stranguria and dysuria due to prostatic/paraurethral tissue enlargement secondary to elevation in androgens produced by the neoplastic tissue. Progressive urethral compression followed by complete urinary obstruction can result. Urinary obstruction can persist for days following surgery requiring urinary diversion. Four ferrets presenting with signs consistent with urinary obstruction secondary to adrenal disease were immediately treated with urethral catheterization or cystocentesis followed by adrenalectomy and temporary tube cystostomy. The tube cystostomy placement and use were associated with minimal complications and allowed recovery from surgery.

Basic Approach to Veterinary Care

“…44 In these ferrets, immediate treatment of urinary blockage was by cystocentesis. In four ferrets treated surgically, a 5-or 8-French Foley catheter was placed in the bladder at the time of adrenalectomy and left in place for 5 to 14 days.…”

Urethral catheterization of the male ferret for treatment of urinary tract obstruction

“…Repeated cystocentesis is not recommended because this carries a risk of urinary bladder rupture and uroabdomen. If normograde passage of a urinary catheter is unsuccessful, consideration should be given to an emergency cystotomy or tube cystostomy 5 . In cases of urethral rupture, an emergency perineal urethrostomy is required, and in some instances, it may be necessary to 'marsupialize' the prostate gland 6 .…”

Emergency Medicine of the Ferret

“…Remove the catheter by simply removing skin sutures and deflating the Foley catheter. Allow the wound to heal by secondary intention [32,33].…”