Feline lower urinary tract disease is estimated to occur in 0.5% to 1% of cats. The most common causes include bacterial cystitis and urolithiasis. Other causes include fungal or parasitic urinary tract infection, crystalluria, anatomic abnormalities, trauma, neoplasia, and idiopathic disease. Medical management is recommended in most cats; however, occasionally the obstruction cannot be relieved or the distal urethra becomes stenosed, causing recurrent obstructions. Surgical correction is recommended in cats with irresolvable or recurrent obstructions or permanent urethral narrowing. The most common surgical procedure is perineal urethrostomy, where the wider postprostatic portion of the urethra is anastomosed to the skin to make a new urinary stoma.
