Feline cystoscopy is rarely performed at the VMTH and requires smaller endoscopes, such as a Karl Storz semi-rigid telescope with a 1.2 mm (3.6 fr.) O.D. and 20 cm working length for use in females, with no sheath and therefore no instrumentation available.
This article aims to guide the general feline practitioner towards a basic understanding of endoscopic and ancillary equipment, and in the direction of appropriate training required to perform routine endoscopic procedures.
Validated pain scales such as the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain ScaleFeline (aprvt.com) and the Feline Grimace Scale (felinegrimacescale.com) minimize subjectivity and provide consistency in evaluation.
Furthermore, visual representations like the one above help us fully grasp the concept of Feline Urinary Tract Endoscopy.
Endoscopy is also useful in diagnosing conditions affecting the vagina, urethra, and bladder of female cats. Endoscopy cannot be used for diagnosing urinary conditions in male cats.
As we can see from the illustration, Feline Urinary Tract Endoscopy has many fascinating aspects to explore.
Lower urinary tract signs (LUTS) such as dysuria, haematuria, periuria, pollakiuria and stranguria can occur as the result of a variety of underlying conditions and diagnostic investigation is required to uncover the underlying cause and select appropriate treatment.
Cystoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the lower urinary tract; specifically, the examination of the vagina, urethral opening, urethra, urinary bladder and ureteral openings.
