Urethral obstruction is a common problem in male cats. This is an emergency that needs prompt veterinary care. The inability to pass urine is fatal without treatment.
Urethral obstructions occur more commonly in male cats because a male cat's urethra becomes very narrow as it enters the penis; the female urethra remains wide, leading directly from the bladder to the outside. Female cats are rarely obstructed. When an obstruction occurs it causes the cat to become unable to urinate; urine backs up through the ureter and into the kidney. This can halt renal filtration and urine production. If this happens wastes and toxins will build up in the body leading to death.
What Is The Urethra Plugged With? The urethra can become blocked with crystals that develop if the urine becomes either too acidic or too alkaline. The most commonly seen crystal is the struvite that develops in more alkaline urine (high pH). There is no breed predisposition for this type of crystal. The calcium oxylate crystal is the second most common and it develops in more acidic urine (low pH). The Burmese, Himalayan, and Persian cat breeds seem to be predisposed to the calcium oxylate crystals. Bladder stones can also develop. Urethral plugs can also be a mucous plug consisting of blood cells and bacteria from a bladder infection.
Symptoms For An Urinary Blockage: The most common symptom owners report is their cat straining in the litter box and producing very little urine, or none at all. Cats may also strain to urinate in inappropriate places; like sinks and bathtubs. This is sometimes confused with constipation. Other signs include, but are not limited too:
- bloody urine
- seems in pain while urinating (cries or howls)
- urinating in strange places
- straining
- vomiting
- not eating
- collapse
- and death.
Medical Treatment: A cat exhibiting these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian. Blocked cats need to have urine flow reestablished as soon as possible. This is usually done under sedation because of the pain and discomfort the cat is in. A catheter is inserted into the urethra and a sterile saline is flushed through, dislodging the plug and establishing urine flow. This catheter is generally sutured in place and the cat hospitalized for several days. X-rays may be taken and will reveal an enlarged bladder with or without bladder stones. Blood work is typically done to check kidney function and potassium levels.
Surgery: Sometimes cats become re-obstructed after the urinary catheter is removed. Cats that continually become blocked are candidates for surgery. A perineal urethrostomy (PU) can be performed to help prevent future obstructions by removing the penis and making a new opening for urinating; basically makes the boy cat a girl cat. This prevents future obstructions but not infections; bladder problems may continue.
Home Care: Your veterinarian's instructions should be followed.
- Your veterinarian will probably dispense antibiotics and medications for pain.
- A prescription diet may also be sent home. These diets are formulated to disolve the crystals that formed the urinary blockage. The diet recommendations should be followed to the letter, feed only that diet and nothing else.
- Giving treats or table scraps may cause new crystals to form.
- Your cat may need a prescription diet for the rest of its life.
- Re-obstruction is common, continually check the litter box for evidence of urine.
- Clean urine stains on carpet immediately to help prevent your cat from returning to the scene of the crime.
References: Common Diseases of Companion Animals, Alleice Summers, MS, DVM (Mosby, Inc. 2002)
