A TECHNIQUE FOR CATHETERIZATION OF THE URINARY-BLADDER IN THE FERRET

The technique of catheterization of the urinary bladder, an important clinical skill for the diagnosis of urinary tract disorders, has not b een described for the ferret. The bladder was catheterized in 23 ferre ts (10 intact females; 11 spayed females; and 2 intact males) using a 31/2 French, red rubber urethral catheter fitted with a steel wire sty let. Ferrets were anaesthetized with isoflurane or ketamine (30 mg/kg IM) and xylazine (3 mg/kg IM). Females were positioned in ventral recu mbency with the rear quarters elevated by a rolled surgical towel. The urethra was catheterized by direct visualization of the external uret hral orifice using a vaginal speculum. The orifice was approximately I cm cranial to the clitoral fossa on the ventral floor of the vestibul e. Blind passage was used in several spayed females. In males, the dis tal end of the penis was exteriorized from the prepuce and the externa l urethral orifice cannulated without stylet. No difficulty was encoun tered in advancing the catheter past the os penis. This catheterizatio n technique allows urinary tract access for urine collection, pneumocy stography, contrast cystography, double contrast cystography, and urin e output determination in pharmacologic studies or in critical care of debilitated animals.