Veterinary student urethral catheterization of small female cats and dogs using 2 urethral catheterization techniques

Compare veterinary student success at urethral catheterization of small female cats and dogs using traditional and novel 2-catheter techniques.

Healthy anesthetized female cats (n = 23) and dogs (n = 6) weighing < 10 kg undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy.

Two junior (Year 3) veterinary students with no previous urethral catheterization experience participated. Each pet was catheterized by 1 student using both the traditional blind technique and the novel 2-catheter method (placement of a large red rubber catheter into the vaginal canal prior to insertion of the conventional catheter). Technique order was randomized and attempts for each technique was allowed for up to 3 min. Time to successful catheterization and catheterization success within the allotted time were recorded.

Successful urethral catheterization was performed using the traditional blind and novel 2-catheter techniques in 56.3 and 87.5% of cases, respectively.

Students had a higher rate of successful catheterization with the 2-catheter catheterization technique in this report.

Urethral catheterization in small female cats and dogs is technically challenging, which is compounded by the inability to consistently and reliably palpate loco-regional anatomic landmarks due to the small sized vestibules. Data from this report will be used to design future studies to assess the utility of this novel urethral catheterization technique for teaching inexperienced students this challenging clinical skill.