Urethral catheterisation
Urethral catheterisation is usually performed to collect a urine sample, to empty the urinary bladder or to place radiographic contrast into the urinary tract.
For a male tiger a long flexible sterile 60cm catheter 8-14 Fr (dependent on the size of the tiger) should be used. The tiger will need to be sedated. The tiger should be positioned in lateral recumbency and the tail held upwards and out of the way of the prepuce. The prepuce should then be cleaned with disinfectant.
The catheter should removed from its outer wrapped and the tip covered in lubricant. The penis should then be extruded using gently pressure each side of the prepuce. The catheter can then be gently introduced into the urethra. The catheter should then be advanced by holding the penis and prepuce and pulling them gently in a caudal direction to straighten out the urethra. As soon as the catheter enters the bladder urine will start to flow down the catheter. A syringe should be attached to the catheter to collect a sample.
For a female tiger long flexible sterile 60cm catheter 10-18 Fr (dependent on the size of the tiger) should be used. The tiger will need to be sedated. The tiger should be positioned in dorsal recumbency and the hindlimbs held flexed cranially. The vulva should then be cleaned with antiseptic.
The catheter should be removed from its outer wrapper and the tip covered in lubricant. A speculum with light should then be inserted into the vestibule and the site of the urethral orifice on the ventral floor of the cranial vestibule identified. The catheter can then be gently advanced into the bladder. As soon as the catheter enters the bladder urine will start to flow down the catheter. A syringe should be attached to the catheter to collect a sample.
