First-of-Its-Kind Technique Resolves Foley Catheter Complication in Dog

Management of a Nondeflating Foley Urinary Catheter Balloon by Transrectal Centesis in a Dog

Ciaran C. O’Carroll, Meagan A. Walker, Katie L. Hoddinott

Background

Urinary catheterization is routine in veterinary care, particularly in patients with neurologic deficits or urinary retention. Foley catheters, which include an inflatable balloon reservoir for retention, may rarely fail to deflate, leading to a challenging complication. In human medicine, various nonsurgical approaches have been described, but no veterinary-specific protocols had been published. This case report describes the first documented use of transrectal centesis to resolve a nondeflating Foley catheter balloon in a dog and proposes an algorithm for similar cases.

Methods

An 8-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog with acute paraplegia underwent attempted placement of an indwelling urinary catheter during evaluation for a suspected T13–L1 intervertebral disc herniation. The Foley catheter balloon was inadvertently inflated in the proximal urethra and failed to deflate with standard methods (aspiration, inflation channel transection, and stylet insertion). Transrectal centesis was performed under heavy sedation using a 22-gauge needle to puncture and deflate the balloon, followed by catheter removal. The patient subsequently underwent successful surgical decompression and postoperative recovery.

Results

The transrectal needle puncture successfully deflated the nondeflating balloon, and the catheter was removed without evidence of retained fragments. No immediate or long-term complications—such as infection or trauma—were noted. The dog showed steady postoperative neurologic improvement and was ambulatory with mild ataxia at a 47-day follow-up. No urinary dysfunction was reported. Urinalysis showed no bacterial contamination, and antimicrobial therapy was not initiated.

Limitations

As a single-case report, the generalizability of this technique remains limited. There was no control group or long-term surveillance beyond 47 days. Although no infection occurred, there is a theoretical risk of introducing fecal contamination during the transrectal procedure. Use of ultrasound guidance was not explored but could enhance safety in less straightforward cases.

Conclusions

Transrectal centesis is a viable, minimally invasive technique for resolving nondeflating Foley catheter balloons lodged in the proximal urethra of male dogs. This method avoids surgery and demonstrates favorable outcomes with no reported complications. The authors propose a clinical algorithm for stepwise nonsurgical management of this rare complication. Broader application may reduce the need for invasive retrieval procedures in similar future cases.

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