Out-of-place urethral mucosal lining or the urethral canal lining that produces mucus is commonly denoted to as urethral prolapse in cats. This particular condition may cause the mucosal lining to move into the outer part of the penile or vaginal opening, or the urethra, thus making it perceptible. Further, the urethral prolapse may affect different other parts of the body of the cat, which include the urinary bladder, urinary tract, immune system, as well as the reproductive organs. In this article, we will discuss some more interesting facts about urethral prolapse in cats including the causes, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment. Read on to learn about these and more!
What is Urethral Prolapse in Cats?
The urethral prolapse or out-of-place urethral lining in cats is more common to occur in younger cats, even though it may also affect the older cats or the cats with immune issues. This is also more possible to happen in male cats, rather than in females. In most of the cases, urethral prolapse isn’t life-threatening at all, yet it may cause austere issues in the kidneys or in the urinary tract. Additionally, if the cat is showing the symptoms of urethral prolapse, seek a veterinary assistance.
Moreover, the urethral lining, as you may know, is a mucus membrane, which lines the urethral tract. If this lining blunders out of place due to various reasons, it may result in a medical condition called urethral prolapse. In the event that the urethral lining is out-of-place, it may cause a feeling of discomfort and create various problems, which relate to the passing of urine, as well as in vacating the bladder.
Causes
Various conditions and issues may result in urethral prolapse in cats. Furthermore, the younger cats and the ones of old age have a much higher risk of developing the condition. Some of the typical causes of urethral prolapse in cats include the following:
- Cancer
- Certain viral infections like FeLV or feline leukemia virus
- Reproductive problems
- Diabetes
- Immune conditions
- Bladder or kidney stones
- Blockage or plugging in the urethra
- Irritation because of sexual activity
- Urethral disease
- Abnormal development
- Trauma, injury, or fractures
- Congenital defect
- Testicular disease
- Urinary tract infection
- Pregnancy
Symptoms
The urethral prolapse in cats may cause some issues with the urination. The main symptoms that come with the condition are actually the same to those of the urinary tract infection. Further, the most apparent clinical symptom of this condition is the bare urethral lining, which appears as a mass on the end of the urethral tract. Additionally, this is much easier to observe in male cats of a species, rather than in female cats.
The symptoms of urethral prolapse in cats include the following:
- Excessive thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Localized red to purple discoloration
- Inflammation or swelling on the genitalia or the surrounding area
- Bleeding from the urethral opening
- Excessive licking of the area
- Bare urethra mass from urethral tract in female cats
- Bare urethra mass on the end of the penis in male cats
- Unusual urine odor
- Urinating in strange areas
- Evasion of the litter box
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Pain and correlated vocalizations when urinating
- Urine leakage
- Incapacity to pass the urine
- Urine steam stops and then starts
Prognosis
Various diagnostic imaging like x-rays, computerized axial tomography scan, as well as magnetic resonance imaging scan are frequently used in ruling out any causal issues with the bladder or prostate. Moreover, upon the examination, the vet may need to rule out some other common causal conditions as well, which include fractures of the urethral, testicular, and penis diseases.
Due to the fact that some issues are just present in times of ejaculation, the vet might find the action beneficial for the examination of the genital functioning of the body.
Treatment for Urethral Prolapse in Cats
The treatment for urethral prolapse in cats is commonly designed for the repair of damage in the urethral tract. In addition, some treatments might be prescribed as well, in order to assist with the accompanying symptoms like infection and pain. The mainstream of cats with urethral prolapse may need surgery to treat the condition properly. The treatment methods include the following:
- Surgical Intervention. In most instances, surgery might be necessary in correcting the urethral prolapse of the cat. This is somewhat common, yet like with any surgery, there’s a moderate risk of the complications, as well as side effects.
- NSAID Pain Relievers. This medication is essential in treating inflammation and pain. It may also assist in the reduction of fever. This is prescribed commonly as a post-surgical operation treatment.
- Antibiotics. The bacterial infection is a typical symptom, as well as a possible cause that comes with the urethral prolapse. Further, if urine or blood cultures point toward an infection present in the system, antibiotics might be given as a treatment. Also, there is a low risk of side effects with most of the antibiotics.