Feline urethral obstruction secondary to a ballistic foreign object

An 8‐year‐old, male neutered, domestic shorthair cat was presented for stranguria, abnormal behaviour and azotaemia. A diagnosis of urethral obstruction was made based on a firm and painful urinary bladder that could not be expressed. Diagnostic workup, inclusive of bloodwork, urinalysis, urine culture and abdominal radiographs, revealed an intraluminal ballistic foreign object. A urinary tract infection was also diagnosed, suspected to be secondary to the ballistic foreign object. A cystotomy was performed and a metallic pellet was removed from the bladder lumen, with no overt signs of a penetrating injury appreciated on evaluation of the body wall and urinary bladder. Clinical signs resolved after surgical intervention, with normal urination appreciated at home after discharge. Urinary obstruction and infection secondary to an intraluminal foreign body is an unusual aetiology for a common feline presenting complaint, and diagnostic imaging should be strongly considered for any patient with a urinary obstruction.