Ureteral Surgery – to Stent or to Cut?

Key points  Ureteral obstruction secondary to urolithiasis is the most common indication for ureteral surgery in dogs and cats.  The number of ureteroliths, the integrity of the ureteral wall, infection, and the presence or absence of concurrent nephrolithiasis, will often dictate the treatment that is performed.  Prospective studies comparing traditional surgery to the novel technique of stenting with regards to complications and long term outcome are necessary in guiding treatment recommendations.