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  • Clinical Techniques
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Urethral catheterization of the female rat

Lab Animal volume 40, pages 111–112 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Urinary tract catheterization of the rat may be required for a variety of clinical and experimental reasons. The external urinary orifice is easily visualized and rests anterior to the vaginal opening, making urinary tract catheterization easier in the female rat than in other species. This column describes a technique for short-term urethral catheterization in the adult female rat.

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Figure 1: Proper positioning of a female rat for placement of a urethral catheter.
Figure 2: A 26-gauge intravenous catheter (without the needle) has been inserted into the external urethral orifice with the distal tip of the catheter directed towards the tail.
Figure 3

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine, New York, NY

    Cyndi Brown

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  1. Cyndi Brown
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Correspondence to Cyndi Brown.

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Brown, C. Urethral catheterization of the female rat. Lab Anim 40, 111–112 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0411-111

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