Medical and Surgical Management of Ureteral Obstructions

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2025 May;55(3):503-523. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2025.02.004.

Abstract

Many patients with ureteral obstructions are critically ill at the time of diagnosis, especially if there is dysfunction of the contralateral kidney. They may present with varying severities of uremia and acute kidney injury as well as systemic inflammation and sepsis secondary to infection. Medical management, which may consist of rehydration and restoration of intravascular volume with intravenous fluid therapy, osmotic diuresis, ureteral muscle relaxation, and antimicrobials for infection, is important in ureteral obstruction patients. Unstable patients may require more emergent intervention to relive the obstruction and address the life-threatening sequelae to acute kidney injury.

Keywords: Interventional radiology; Subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB); Ureteral obstruction; Ureteral stenting; Ureteral surgery; Ureterolith.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Cat Diseases* / surgery
  • Cat Diseases* / therapy
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases* / surgery
  • Dog Diseases* / therapy
  • Dogs
  • Ureteral Obstruction* / diagnosis
  • Ureteral Obstruction* / surgery
  • Ureteral Obstruction* / therapy
  • Ureteral Obstruction* / veterinary