Fluoxetine-induced urinary retention in a cat

A cat presented for infrequent urination and hyporexia progressing to anorexia. The cat had been normal prior to being placed on fluoxetine to treat inter-cat aggression, after which it began to display weight loss, hyporexia and abnormal urination habits.

The cat had treated for suspected feline lower urinary tract disease including a perineal urethrostomy.

Other than a possible proximal ureteral narrowing, other diagnostics were unremarkable. The patient was trialed on various medications, including alpha-antagonists, cholinergics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and different analgesics with no improvement.

Ultimately, the cat began urinating normally following the discontinuation of fluoxetine. The cat was urinating normally upon discharge.

Fluoxetine is a commonly utilized medication in behavioral medicine in dogs and cats. Despite its common use and reports of urinary retention secondary to this medication in humans, this potential side effect is likely the first report in veterinary medicine.

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Fluoxetine-induced urinary retention in a cat