Retrospective evaluation of presenting temperature of urethral obstructed male cats and the association with severity of azotemia and length of hospitalization: 243 cats (2006–2009)

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the presenting rectal temperature and level of azotemia predicts the length of hospitalization (LOH) in a population of obstructed male cats. To describe the relationships between physical examination parameters, blood electrolytes, and azotemia in a clinical population of obstructed male cats. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Emergency and referral specialty hospitals. ANIMALS: Two hundred and forty‐three male cats that presented with urethral obstruction between 2006 and 2009. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: No significant association between the hours of hospitalization and rectal temperature was detected (P = 0.39). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CREA) concentrations were positively correlated with LOH (P < 0.01). BUN and CREA were significantly higher (P < 0.01) for the hypothermic group compared to the normothermic group. Potassium was negatively correlated to heart rate and rectal temperature but positively correlated to BUN and CREA. CONCLUSION: No association with regard to rectal temperature and LOH could be demonstrated in this population of cats. However, the presence of azotemia in obstructed male cats appears to provide the clinician with additional information regarding the necessary LOH and eventual cost to the client.