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How to install a urinary catheter and why you cannot install it yourself
A urinary catheter is a medical procedure that helps make urination easier. It is also used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. It is important to know how to properly install a catheter to avoid infection in the urinary tract.
Answers from experts
Anya:
it won’t pop out on its own, you’ll have to take it out of the urethra. a catheter is just a tube, there is nothing complicated about it. How many days did the catheter last?
Pasha Danko:
invite a doctor to your home and let him take pictures - he gets paid for it!!!
mistica:
What strings? A catheter is actually a needle. Is it on the cat's paw? Secured by what? A Band-Aid? Cut the patch, give the cat a little depilation and carefully remove the needle, blot the puncture site with an alcohol solution and tie it with a bandage; after about 5 minutes it can be removed.
User deleted:
Pull the catheter out of the vein and clamp it with cotton wool for 20 minutes (tie it with a bandage). There is no needle there.
Shkurko Olga:
Cut the threads and slowly pull them out.
Avdrug:
Pick up the threads with tweezers and cut them with nail scissors. It's OK..
Types of catheters
The main type of device used in urology is the Foley catheter. It is used for urination, washing the urinary bladder during infections, to stop bleeding and administering medications to the genitourinary organs.
You can see what this catheter looks like in the photo below.
Foley catheter comes in different sizes
There are the following subtypes of the Foley device:
- Two-way. It has 2 openings: through one, urination and rinsing are performed, through the other, liquid is introduced and pumped out of the balloon.
- Three-way: in addition to standard moves, it is equipped with a channel for introducing medications into the patient’s genitourinary organs.
- Foley-Timman: has a curved end, used for prostate catheterization in men with a benign tumor of the organ.
A Foley catheter can be used for procedures on any urinary organ. The service life depends on the material: devices are available in latex, silicone and silver-plated.
DETAILS: Bladder pain – causes and symptoms of bladder pain in men and women
The following devices can also be used in urology:
- Nelaton: straight, with a rounded end, made of polymer or rubber. Used for short-term catheterization of the bladder in cases where the patient is unable to urinate on his own.
- Timmana (Mercier): silicone, elastic and soft, with a curved end. Used to drain urine in male patients suffering from prostate adenoma.
- Pezzera: A rubber device whose tip is shaped like a plate. Designed for continuous drainage of urine from the bladder through a cystostomy.
- Ureteral: a long PVC tube 70 cm long, installed using a cystoscope. Used for catheterization of the ureter and renal pelvis both for the outflow of urine and for the administration of drugs.
The Nelaton catheter is used for short-term catheterization of the bladder
All types of catheters are divided into men's, women's and children's:
- female - shorter, wider in diameter, straight in shape;
- men's - longer, thinner, curved;
- children's - have a smaller length and diameter than adults.
The type of device installed depends on the duration of catheterization, gender, age and physical condition of the patient.
Depending on the organ undergoing the procedure, the following types of catheterization are distinguished:
- urethral;
- ureteral;
- renal pelvis;
- vesical.
Urethral catheterization
Catheterization can also be divided into male, female and pediatric.
Complication of replacing a Foley catheter at home
If the catheter is incorrectly replaced at home, there are likely risks of infectious diseases and other pathologies. It can be:
- Traumatic injury and perforation of the urethral canal;
- Damage to the bladder;
- Ureral fever;
- Infection of the genitourinary tract;
- Inflammation of the urinary tract.
To eliminate the risk of complications, a soft catheter should be used. You also need to carry out the procedure with the help of an experienced doctor or nurse. If all the conditions for replacement are fully met, then this manipulation cannot worsen the patient’s condition or cause unpleasant sensations or discomfort.
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Bladder catheterization in a cat: technique and consequences
Cat and Cat > Health > Bladder catheterization in a cat: technique and consequences
Bladder catheterization in cats is a common procedure performed by veterinarians to diagnose and treat diseases of the genitourinary system in this species of animal. Manipulation is more often performed on males than females, as females are anatomically less likely to have obstruction than females.
What is this
Bladder catheterization is one of the methods for treating urolithiasis in cats, various forms of cystitis of different etiologies and other pathological conditions of the bladder. The event is carried out strictly by veterinary specialists, since a person without proper anatomical knowledge can cause severe injury to the urethra and penis.
With the help of bladder catheterization, you can alleviate the animal’s condition, administer the necessary medications directly into the organ, and also take urine tests for laboratory testing to determine if there are any changes in the functioning of the internal organs.
Bladder catheterization performed within the clinic is harmless to the animal, since only experienced specialists are allowed to perform the procedure.
Indications and contraindications
The main indications for bladder catheterization in cats:
- Various obstructions of the urinary canal.
- Urolithiasis disease.
- Idiopathic cystitis.
- Inflammation of the urethra.
- Collection of urine analysis.
- Surgeries on the bladder, when a permanent absence of urine in the organ is necessary
- Functional disorders, when the animal cannot urinate on its own (paralysis)
The main contraindications for bladder catheterization in cats:
- Decreased immunity in the presence of various viral diseases.
- Tumors of the bladder and urethra.
- Sepsis.
Preparation
- Conducting research on the presence of indications and contraindications for bladder catheterization. If catheterization is impossible, the animal is prescribed alternative methods for removing urine from the organ.
- Anesthetizing the animal. This is necessary so that the animal does not feel pain during all manipulations.
Without sedation, the cat can harm itself and the veterinary specialist. General anesthesia or regular sedation is used. The first option applies to animals whose condition is satisfactory, without severe intoxication and the absence of pathologies from the cardiovascular system.The second option is acceptable for animals with a prolonged course of the disease, accompanied by intoxication, lack of appetite and other functional disorders. Catheterization of the bladder without prior anesthesia is applicable to animals in serious condition.
- Genital hygiene.
The hair from and around the penis is shaved, and the skin is disinfected with various aseptic preparations. This is required to prevent pathogenic microflora from entering the bladder. - Anesthesia.
Even if the animal has been anesthetized, additional local anesthesia is required. Various local aerosol analgesics are used to reduce sensitivity, since the glans penis contains a large number of nerve endings. Without analgesia, the animal will feel pain even under anesthesia.
Consequences and complications
After catheterization, the animal may experience various complications related to the specificity of the procedure. These include:
- Lack of diuresis. The urethral muscles are in spasm, so the animal cannot urinate normally. To eliminate this pathology, the cat is prescribed various antispasmodics to relieve the animal’s unpleasant symptoms.
- Urethral injuries. This happens if catheterization was performed by an illiterate specialist. In this case, the cat needs to be taken to the veterinarian again. It manifests itself as severe pain in the urethra - the cat cannot urinate normally and often licks itself. Sometimes there is blood in the urine.
- The cat licks himself often. This may be due not only to trauma to the urethra, but also to unpleasant sensations that will accompany the animal for some time.
With the right approach on the part of veterinary specialists and animal owners, catheterization of the bladder is successful, without any injuries or pathologies. Therefore, if a cat does not urinate, it must be immediately taken to a veterinary clinic for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Technique
Many specialists first perform a manual bladder massage on the animal before inserting a catheter. Often this manipulation leads to the resolution of the urinary plug formed in the urethra and the spontaneous passage of urine.
The veterinarian usually performs catheterization with an assistant . The animal is fixed in a lateral position. Hair in the perineal area is cut off and disinfected. The cat's penis is pushed out of the prepuce and a catheter pre-lubricated with sterile Vaseline is inserted into the urethra. To facilitate insertion, the foreskin of the penis is pulled back. Using careful movements, the device is inserted into the bladder. Cats are given painkillers that are injected into the vagina.
If there is obstruction of the genitourinary tract and difficulty installing a catheter, rinsing the urethra with saline solution is used to wash away the sand. After inserting the catheter, a special cuff is used to secure it, which is sewn to the animal’s skin. Then a urine collection system is attached. To prevent loss, the catheter is secured to the pet's tail in such a way that there is no tension on the sutures. It is advisable to put a special collar on the cat.
This is why it is not possible to change the catheter yourself.
Preparatory stage
If the cat’s urine is no longer excreted normally, then it is necessary to use a catheter. Catheterization in kittens and adults can be performed once, and if a one-time procedure does not help, then repeated manipulation is performed. The catheter is installed not at home, but in a veterinary clinic. First, the specialist conducts an examination and finds out whether the cat needs to undergo the procedure. Before catheterization, the following preparatory steps must be completed:
- Carrying out pain relief measures. When such urological manipulations are performed, the cat may feel severe pain. To eliminate the unpleasant symptom, general or local anesthesia is used. The first type of pain relief is required for pets in satisfactory condition, the second - in case of chronic disease.
- Genital hygiene. Before inserting a catheter into the cat's urethra, hygiene procedures are carried out. The specialist shaves the hair in the area of the penis and around the genitals. The skin is disinfected using antiseptics, which will prevent the entry of pathogenic microorganisms.
Complications when installing a catheter at home
If the catheter is placed incorrectly, serious complications can occur. The patient should immediately invite a healthcare professional to provide the necessary assistance if the following complications are detected:
- Bleeding in or around the catheter;
- Do not leak urine from the catheter if you drink a large volume of liquid;
- The patient feels chills and has a fever;
- A large amount of urine forms around the catheter;
- The urine that comes out has an unpleasant odor and has a cloudy, thick structure;
- Swelling of the skin is observed in the area where the catheter is located.
A specialist from our clinic will arrive within half an hour. He will carefully examine the patient's condition. Find out the cause of the side effect. Select effective methods to eliminate pain symptoms.
How to remove a catheter from a paw?
The catheter is usually installed for up to 5 days. All this time you need to look after it and keep it clean, otherwise the risk of infection increases. Catheter care rules:
- the cannula cover must be sterile and changed after each administration of the drug;
- the external part should be disinfected regularly - before and after the dropper, as well as during the day;
- the catheter should be regularly inspected for dirt, blockage and, if necessary, cleaned with saline;
- If the catheter is clogged, it needs to be changed at the veterinarian's office.
The catheter is removed in several cases:
- the treatment period has ended;
- 5 days have passed since installation and a new one needs to be installed;
- the cat tried to tear off the adhesive plaster or damaged the puncture site.
How to remove a catheter from a cat? As with inserting a needle, removing the system must be done carefully but confidently. The animal is fixed in a motionless position, constantly calming. The puncture site is treated with alcohol or other antiseptic, and hands should be thoroughly washed.
Fixing adhesive plasters should be removed using scissors. There is no need to tear them off, this will cause pain to the cat, she will try to run away, and it will be much more difficult to remove the catheter. Place a sterile cotton ball over the skin, press lightly and slowly remove the tube from the blood vessel parallel to the paw, immediately pressing the wound with cotton wool. The cotton swab is fixed with a bandage or plaster for 1–2 hours.
Means and preparations
For this procedure, Ringer-Locke solution can be used.
Most often, veterinarians administer sodium chloride (saline) via a dropper in an average dosage of 20-30 ml per kilogram of the cat’s weight per day. Ringer-Locke solution and 5% glucose are also infused. The latter drug is contraindicated in animals with diabetes, and if head injuries or seizures are diagnosed, it is used with extreme caution.
The following types of needles are used for IVs:
- Classic disposable injection with plastic caps and retainers.
- "Butterflies". Smaller in size than the first type, which allows it to be used for introducing solutions into small vessels. Most convenient for treating cats. Equipped with “wings” for reliable fixation of the tool on the foot with subsequent fastening with adhesive tape.
- Braunnules or peripheral catheters. Used for long-term intravenous infusion. Placed in a veterinary clinic. Made from plastic. They consist of long needles, an obturator and a tube.
The dropper itself is equipped with:
The finished system contains everything necessary to carry out the procedure on an animal.
- a needle that is inserted into a bag of medicine;
- an intake chamber with a system for separating oxygen from the liquid;
- plastic dispenser with a wheel for adjusting the infusion rate;
- rubber cannula for additional medication delivery, if necessary.
- conductor in the form of a latex tube.
The kit may include a second needle to provide air access. This is necessary to improve the lowering of the solution into the conductor tube. But modern medicine bags are already equipped with the necessary function, so a needle is often not needed.
After the procedure
It is normal if your pet does not want to eat in the near future or even vomits. He may also be lethargic and motionless. These are all signs of a pressure surge that you shouldn’t be afraid of.
A signal of a side effect may be the animal’s high temperature, foaming, slimy vomit, or a categorical refusal of water. In this case, you urgently need to show your pet to a specialist.
There are often cases when such procedures, at the insistence of a doctor, must be carried out regularly. If you feel that you cannot handle this, you can have your cat catheterized at the clinic for easy administration of the medication later.
Dropping at home is not an easy task, but with due care and precision of movements, the risk of complications is quite low. You shouldn’t be afraid to treat your cat on your own, because in a homely atmosphere, a pet, like any person, will cope with its illness more easily.
Catheterization of a cat's bladder
Bladder catheterization in a cat is the only way to save the life of a pet in case of acute urinary retention. Most often, such an emergency condition of an animal occurs due to urolithiasis.
With this pathology, stones disrupt the normal flow of urine and cause bladder overflow.
If catheterization is not carried out in a timely manner to remove the accumulation of urine from the organ, it will stretch to the limit, and at some point the walls of the bladder will burst due to excessive stretching. It is almost impossible to save a cat in such an emergency situation.
Sometimes catheterization is needed to flush the bladder for therapeutic purposes. Placement of a catheter for any purpose is carried out only by a doctor.
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Reasons for placing a catheter
The main indication for installing a catheter is urolithiasis in a cat, in which there is impaired insufficient urine flow. This violation can be noticed by several signs.
Small puddles outside the tray to the whole house. This happens due to the fact that the cat cannot suppress the acute urge to urinate, but due to impaired discharge, physiological fluid is released in excessively small quantities. The pet often goes to the litter tray. In this case, the cat sits for a long time in a position corresponding to the one it takes when urinating, but there is no urine output at all. A loud cry at a time when, in addition to physiological fluid, which is small, a significant amount of blood is also drained. A serious increase in the size of the bladder, which can be easily felt when palpating the abdomen even by a non-specialist
The manipulation must be carried out extremely carefully so that the maximally stretched walls of the overcrowded organ do not rupture.
If symptoms of urinary retention occur, after examining the animal, the veterinarian will determine whether bladder catheterization is necessary or not. If the cat is able to clear urine from the bladder, albeit incompletely, treatment without the use of a catheter can be done.
Main indications for catheter placement
An animal may require catheterization not only due to urolithiasis, but also for a number of other indications. A cat is subject to bladder catheterization in the following cases:
- a conservative method of treating urolitasis - a urinary catheter is used, depending on the condition of the animal, once or continuously;
- traumatic injuries of the bladder;
- disturbances in the passage of urine in acute form due to any disorder when catheterization is required for emergency emptying of the organ, even before the cause of the phenomenon is determined;
- surgical interventions in which a catheter is inserted so that urine can easily pass both during the operation itself and after it, when the functioning of the bladder muscles may be impaired due to anesthesia;
- therapeutic lavage of the bladder and urethra, which is carried out so that medicinal substances can be delivered to the sore spot;
- determination of the volume of urination and the need to collect urine when catheterization is carried out for a short period of time, and after obtaining the material necessary for the study, the catheter is removed;
- X-ray of the bladder with contrast, in which catheterization is required to administer the contrast agent.
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For one-time use for a short time, cheaper catheters made of polypropylene are used.
If the presence of a catheter in the cat’s body is required for more than one day, then a device made of polyvinyl chloride is used, which is more comfortable for the animal and does not cause significant negative sensations.
After catheterization, the cat must be completely isolated from the street to prevent bladder infection.
Setting up an IV for a cat at home
There are situations when a cat needs intravenous infusions, in other words, droppers. This may be necessary in case of acute poisoning, in case of renal failure, in case of prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, when it is necessary to restore dehydration of the body, after surgery and many other cases. Now in 90% of cases, veterinarians use an intravenous catheter, or branula.
This device is designed so that each time you insert an IV, you do not have to pierce a needle into a vein. The advantages of a catheter are obvious. Once installed, there are no problems during the entire period of drip infusions. The most important advantage of an intravenous catheter is that it actually provides permanent access to a vein. Those. The animal owner himself can install an IV at home. There's nothing complicated about it.
Rules for placing an IV in a cat
The first rule is that solutions should be at room temperature or warm. Introducing cold solutions to an animal can cause slight tremors and a decrease in overall body temperature. If your cat’s body temperature is already low (for example, after surgery), then you can lower part of the plastic tube through which the solutions flow into a container of water heated to 70-80 °C. As the infusion solution passes through the system, it will heat up, thereby indirectly contributing to an increase in your animal's body temperature.
The second rule is that the rate of administration of drip solutions should be minimal. The optimal speed is considered to be 1 drop per 1-2 seconds. A faster administration can again provoke the animal to tremble, vomit, and a sharp increase in blood pressure with all the ensuing consequences. Do not rush, the process of treating an animal is very responsible. Better reduce the speed of the dropper.
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Catheterization of an animal: how to care for the device, veterinarian manipulations
Before removing the catheter from a cat, you should check for kinks and distortions in the system, otherwise injury to the mucous membrane of the urinary tract is possible. Only a veterinarian should remove the catheter.
Owners often encounter various problems when catheterizing an animal. For example, a cat cannot pee after a catheter. This phenomenon is observed due to spasm of the urethral muscles. In this case, the animal is prescribed antispasmodic drugs. For this purpose, no-shpa, spazgan, and papaverine are used. Manual bladder massage is also effective.
If a cat pulls out a catheter, what should the owner do in such a situation? The animal, regardless of the reasons for which catheterization was performed, must be immediately taken to a veterinary institution.
If your pet has urological syndromes that indicate difficulty urinating, then catheterization is sometimes the only solution in this situation. Only a veterinarian should insert and remove a catheter. Independent manipulations are unacceptable, as they involve the risk of injury and rupture of the urethra and bladder.
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Preoperative preparation of a cat in the clinic. The specialist conducts a clinical examination to identify contraindications to the operation.
For various pathologies of the urinary system in animals, catheterization is often used.
The catheterization procedure when spontaneous urination is impossible in pets requires certain qualifications and is usually performed in specialized institutions.
But there are situations when animal owners have to perform the procedure themselves. Therefore, the questions of how to remove a catheter from a cat, whether this can be done at home without having special skills, are more than relevant.
Indications for catheterization
In order to empty a full bladder, it is necessary to insert a catheter into the cat. This procedure is the only condition for saving the life of the pet. Owners should know that every fifth cat dies from untimely assistance for the formation of stones in the excretory system.
Catheterization for conservative treatment of urolithiasis
Catheterization is performed in the following situations:
- with conservative treatment of urolithiasis;
- urinary disorders of various etiologies;
- bladder injuries;
- surgical intervention (for urine output during and after surgery);
- when therapeutic procedures are carried out (washing the urethra, bladder);
- to control urination, collect urine;
- for X-ray diagnostics using a contrast agent.
Catheters can be installed for a short period of time, for example, during a diagnostic examination, for collecting tests, or for a one-time excretion of urine. For these purposes, polypropylene models are most often used. The answer to the question of how long a cat’s catheter should last will depend on the severity of the animal’s disease and the characteristics of the pathology. They often resort to permanent urethral catheters, for example, when the animal is in serious condition, with acute renal failure, or with bladder injuries. For permanent catheterization, models made of polyvinyl chloride are used, which are less traumatic for the animal compared to polypropylene.
Catheterization is a purely medical procedure that requires certain knowledge and skills. Therefore, it can only be carried out by qualified personnel. The owner must have an idea of how to place a catheter in a cat in order to understand the seriousness of subsequent care for the pet.
Catheterization also has contraindications. Manipulation cannot be carried out when:
- septic processes,
- acute infectious diseases,
- damage to the urethra and bladder by tumors.
And here is more information about what to do if the cat cannot pee.
How to remove a catheter from a cat?
Sometimes situations arise when a cat is inserted into a catheter. Moreover, it can be inserted into almost any part of the body. Typically, the catheter is inserted for a few days and then removed. In most cases, the catheter is removed by a doctor, but sometimes, for some reason, it is not possible to see a doctor to remove it. And in this case, the owner of the animal must remove it himself. But the overwhelming majority of people simply do not know how to properly remove the catheter. And that’s why they very often ask themselves the question of how to remove a catheter from a cat.
First of all, it is still necessary to remember that removing the catheter yourself is possible only in the most extreme cases. It must also be removed exactly on the day indicated by the doctor, no earlier, no later. The procedure should be carried out very carefully and slowly. All instruments that will be used during this procedure must be clean and sterile. To remove the catheter you will need tweezers and small nail scissors.
It is necessary to very carefully and slowly cut the threads that hold the catheter in one position. In this case, they must be cut very carefully and only on one side. Once the cut is made, the threads are carefully pulled out from the animal's skin using tweezers. At the same time, you need to make sure that even the smallest piece of these threads does not remain in the skin.
After the threads are removed, it is necessary to carefully, but at the same time quickly remove the catheter itself. At the same time, during this procedure we must not forget that the catheter for cats, although it does not cause them pain, still causes some inconvenience. Therefore, the animal may try to run away during removal, which means that two people need to remove the catheter.
After the catheter is removed, the place where it was inserted must be disinfected. As a disinfectant solution, you can use a pharmaceutical solution of furatsilin or hydrogen peroxide.
If the owner of the animal knows in advance that the catheter will have to be removed on his own, it is necessary to immediately clarify at a doctor’s appointment how exactly and with what preparation will need to be disinfected, if any is needed at all. It is also best to immediately consult with your doctor about exactly how to remove the catheter.
>How to remove a catheter from a cat
When is a catheter needed?
Typically, a healthcare professional should insert and remove the catheter from the cat's body. But sometimes you have to carry out this operation without leaving your home.
On the recommendation of a doctor, a catheter (branula) is inserted into the cat on its own in the following cases::
- when the pet is prescribed perenteral nutrition;
- the pet has hyperhydration or hydration of the body;
- the cat is prescribed regular multiple injections using medications;
- when the drug needs to be delivered into the body accurately and quickly and with a special concentration, as opposed to oral administration, when the drug may lose its properties.
After the device is correctly inserted into the vein, it will have to be removed after some time. And here the owners of purring pets always have a problem with how to remove an intravenous catheter from a cat.
Caring for the animal after catheterization
After completing the manipulations, the veterinarian will examine the condition of the tube. If kinks or dents are detected in the system, there is a possibility of injury. The dye used in the procedure is excreted from the body by the kidneys. Antispasmodics are prescribed to relieve unpleasant symptoms.
At home, care involves observation. Before increasing the daily amount of fluid consumed, you should consult a veterinarian, because... the animal may have problems urinating. A burning sensation in the urethra occurs when urine is released the first few times. If your pet's discomfort lasts longer, it is a sign of infection. Post-obstructive diuresis is a common complication requiring immediate hospitalization.
Catheterization of the cat's bladder is performed if the pet has difficulty urinating or the urination process stops completely. Such cases are a consequence of kidney failure or the formation of kidney stones. The veterinarian knows how to properly install a urinary catheter and carry out the procedure. After catheterization, the cat needs special care to make the recovery period faster and easier.
Why is a catheter placed?
Many diseases of the urinary system are accompanied by a symptom such as ischuria. Retention of urination when the bladder is full is a frequent companion to urolithiasis, tumor diseases, problems with the prostate gland in males, severe inflammatory processes, narrowing of the urethra of a traumatic nature, etc.
Most often, a catheter is placed in a cat for urolithiasis, since this pathology leads to obstruction of the urinary tract. Urinary retention can be acute or chronic. In the first case of ischuria, catheterization is a vital procedure. When a plug of urinary sand forms in the urethra, obstruction develops. Signs of urinary retention in a cat are as follows:
- urinating in the wrong places, outside the tray;
- frequent urges, the pet takes the appropriate position, but urine is not released;
- the animal is worried and screams when going to the toilet;
- urine is released in drops, often mixed with blood;
- palpation of the lower abdomen reveals a tense bladder. It becomes hard and increases in size to the size of a chicken egg.
Catheter care rules
An indwelling urinary catheter is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the opening of the urethra to drain urine. The instrument is held in place by a small balloon, and prolonged catheterization is often performed. Only a veterinarian can place the tube correctly.
Home care:
- Check the area around the urethra for inflammation or signs of infection, such as irritated, swollen skin where the tube was inserted.
- The drainage bag should be placed below the level of the bladder.
- Clean the area around the drainage tube twice a day.
- The catheter and drainage tube should not be bent.
- The product must not be left open.
- Empty the liquid collection bag promptly.
- In case of contamination, rinse the device with warm boiled water.
The connection of the catheter to the sterile drainage system creates a closed system that cannot be opened. Antibacterial drugs will help to avoid infection by reducing the likelihood of developing an infection. Improper removal of the medical device may result in injury to the animal's excretory system. To avoid this, you need to know how to remove a cat's catheter.
To whom is it assigned?
The main indications for performing the bladder catheterization technique in a cat include:
- Urolithiasis disease.
- Idiopathic cystitis.
- Various obstructions of the urinary canal.
- Collecting urine for analysis.
- Bladder surgeries requiring permanent absence of urine.
- Inflammation of the urethra.
- Disorders in which the pet cannot urinate on its own (paralysis).
How to choose a vein for injection with a catheter
The catheter can be placed in any large superficial vein, soft and elastic, without knots or seals. But most often the cephalic vein, the medial and lateral vein of the safen are used for this purpose.
The lateral vein of saphena in dogs is more accessible for injections than in cats, so most often dogs have a catheter placed in this vein. For cats, it is easiest to insert the device into the medial vein of the saphen.
If your pet has diarrhea or urinary incontinence, it is not recommended to insert a catheter into their hind leg - this will add problems with the sterility of the device, which must be kept clean at all times.
Catheter for diseases of the urinary system
If you have problems with urination (oncological diseases, prostate pathologies, urolithiasis, etc.) in a cat or dog, a catheterization procedure is necessary. This is the only way in some cases it is possible to save a pet’s life.
It may be necessary to insert and remove a catheter in the following cases:
- when you need to control your cat's urination;
- in the postoperative period;
- if there are injuries to the genitourinary system;
- to remove stones from the bladder;
- for therapeutic purposes (washing the urinary system);
- for one-time excretion of urine.
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Removing the urinary catheter
A Faley catheter is a thin tube that drains urine into a special bag. Its removal is necessary in cases where :
- the catheter stops functioning;
- the animal has suffered an injury to the urethra or bladder;
- The problem causing the device installation has been resolved.
The procedure for its removal is carried out only by a veterinarian. You should not try to carry out such an operation at home by watching videos from the Internet. Removing the catheter on your own can result in injury to the mucous membrane of the urinary tract.