Urethral Obstruction in Male Cats
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ
Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ
From the time he was five years old, Dr. Christopher Byers knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. In fact, his first dream was to become a stegosaurus veterinarian, but since extinction made that impossible, he settled on the next best thing: saving the lives of dogs and cats through emergency and critical care and internal medicine.
Dr. Byers is a double board-certified specialist in veterinary emergency & critical care and small animal internal medicine, as well as a certified veterinary journalist. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, he brings more than two decades of experience at the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree as a University Honors Scholar in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
Dr. Byers is the Co-Editor of the textbook Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and the upcoming textbook Canine Emergency & Critical Care Medicine. He has also authored numerous chapters and peer-reviewed articles in leading medical journals. He is deeply passionate about education and is known for sharing his experiences and delivering practical clinical pearls that help colleagues elevate the care they provide in their own practices.
Overview:
Urethral obstruction (UO) in male cats is a common, potentially life-threatening emergency requiring rapid and evidence-based intervention. This course offers a comprehensive review of UO pathophysiology, diagnostics, and management strategies, ranging from traditional hospitalization protocols to cost-conscious outpatient approaches. Attendees will explore the latest research on fluid therapy, urethral relaxants, and catheterization techniques, while also learning to recognize common pitfalls and optimize both inpatient and outpatient outcomes. The program is ideal for emergency and general practitioners seeking practical strategies to improve survival and reduce recurrence in feline UO cases.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the common causes, clinical signs, and risk factors associated with urethral obstruction in male cats. (Bloom’s Level: Remember/Understand)
- Apply a structured approach to diagnostics, including interpreting laboratory and imaging findings associated with UO. (Bloom’s Level: Apply)
- Evaluate and implement appropriate treatment strategies—both inpatient and outpatient—including catheterization techniques, fluid therapy, and pain management. (Bloom’s Level: Evaluate/Create)
This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
