Catheterization of the urethra in female pigs. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Musk, GC; Zwierzchoniewska, M; He, B
• Is Part Of: Laboratory animals. Volume 49:Number 4(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 348
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: urethral catheterization -- refinement -- pig; Animal experimentation -- Periodicals; Animal models in research -- Periodicals; Laboratory animals -- Periodicals; Animal welfare -- Periodicals; 636.0885
• DOI: 10.1177/0023677215587637
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-6772

Abstract

Female pigs are commonly utilized as an animal model for biomedical research and require urethral catheterization. Sixteen pigs were anaesthetized for research purposes and required the placement of a urethral catheter. Post-mortem examination of the vaginas revealed the urethral opening to be consistently halfway from the mucocutaneous junction of the vulva to the cervix. A shallow diverticulum was also observed on the ventral floor of the urethral opening. To optimize conditions for success the pig should be carefully positioned supine, a vaginal speculum and light source should be used, the pig should be adequately anaesthetized, and the anatomy of the vagina should be reviewed.