Trauma-associated dynamic intrapelvic urinary bladder displacement in a cat corrected with surgical cystopexy

Dynamic intrapelvic urinary bladder displacement (DIUBD) is an uncommon condition where the urinary bladder intermittently displaces caudally into the pelvic canal, resulting in episodic lower urinary tract obstruction. Although this phenomenon is recognized more commonly in canine patients with perineal hernias, documented feline cases remain rare. Trauma or pelvic fractures can compromise the strength and conformation of local musculature and fascia, permitting the bladder to slip caudally under changing pressure gradients. In this case, an 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat, previously affected by multiple healed pelvic fractures, developed progressive urinary and defecatory straining. Initial imaging, including abdominal radiographs and ultrasonography, confirmed a caudally displaced bladder occasionally reverting to a more cranial position. Blood work and repeated urinalyses indicated post-renal azotemia on re-presentation. Surgical exploration revealed a mobile bladder without a distinct muscular defect, prompting cystopexy to anchor the bladder in a stable cranial position. Postoperative monitoring showed rapid improvement in clinical signs and renal values, and follow-up imaging confirmed that the bladder retained its corrected orientation. This case supports the importance of thorough imaging and an early corrective procedure for cats with recurrent lower urinary obstruction and a history of pelvic fractures.

Although DIUBD is more often recognized in dogs, this case indicates that it can similarly arise in cats with a history of pelvic trauma. Targeted imaging coupled with cystopexy can successfully address the intermittent obstruction.