Descriptive Study of Feline Urethral Obstruction and Perineal Urethrostomy Outcomes in Port Harcourt

Feline urethral obstruction is a common life-threatening emergency in male cats, and perineal urethrostomy represents the surgical procedure of choice in recurrent cases. This descriptive study documents the clinical characteristics, management approaches, and outcomes of feline urethral obstruction, including perineal urethrostomy procedures, at veterinary clinics in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from January 2022 to December 2023. Fifty-three male cats with confirmed urethral obstruction were enrolled. Signalment, dietary history, clinical presentation, biochemical parameters, imaging findings, and response to initial catheterization were recorded. Perineal urethrostomy was performed in fourteen cats with recurrent obstruction or failed catheterization. Urethral plugs were identified in 66% of obstructed cats, while urinary calculi accounted for 19% of cases. Hyperkalemia was present in 72% of patients at admission and was a primary indicator of metabolic urgency. All fourteen perineal urethrostomy patients survived to discharge, with one case developing postoperative stricture formation at six weeks. Dietary factors including dry commercial food and low water intake were frequently associated with recurrent obstruction. Owner compliance with postoperative management was high, correlating with better long-term outcomes. The study demonstrates the clinical effectiveness of perineal urethrostomy in appropriately selected feline patients in South South Nigeria and advocates for dietary counseling as a cornerstone of urological disease prevention in urban cat populations. Keywords: feline urethral obstruction, perineal urethrostomy, urinary calculi, Port Harcourt, cat surgery.