Transcervical catheterization and cervical patency during the oestrous cycle in domestic cats

The aims of the present study were to develop a device for vaginal and transcervical catheterization in domestic cats, and to study cervical patency during the various stages of the oestrous cycle. Seventeen queens submitted for routine spaying were included in the study. A vaginal catheter was designed from a urinary catheter for dogs, to fit into the ventral vaginal fornix, and a 3.5 French tomcat catheter was used as an inner transcervical catheter. Cervical patency was studied by infusing 0.5 ml Urografin into the cranial vagina and taking X-rays of the queens after 5 min. The Urografin did not enter the uterus, even in the oestrous queens. Transcervical catheterization was then attempted. The correct placement of the intrauterine catheter was confirmed by injecting green food colour mixed with penicillin G and observing the presence of stain in the uterine horns during surgery. Catheterization was successful in 13 of 17 queens: six of nine in interoestrus, three of three in oestrus, one of two in metoestrus and three of three in the postpartum period. Transcervical catheterization is a non-invasive technique that is likely to improve the success rate of assisted feline reproduction, and is potentially a useful non-surgical technique for diagnosis and therapy of uterine diseases.