Lorazepam in cats with urethral obstruction with Professor Kelly Tart

Simon is joined by Professor Kelly Tart from the Universityof Minnesota to discuss “Lorazepam reduces recurrence of urethral obstruction in male cats: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.” https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.26.01.0045/javma.26.01.0045.xml

The study prospectively enrolled 80 cats following their first urethral obstruction and randomised them to receive oral lorazepam or placebo for one month. Five cats receiving placebo re-obstructed, compared with none receiving lorazepam, alongside encouraging findings regardingowner-reported lower urinary tract signs.

We discuss the rationale behind the study, trial design, recurrence and lower urinary tract signs, reported adverse effects, and how to interpret the results. Finally, we ask the important clinical question: is the evidence strong enough to change how we manage cats after urethral obstruction?