Feline Urethral Obstruction

When a cat has urethral obstruction, it is necessary to timely perform catheterization. Cats with urethral obstruction will have high blood potassium, and exhibit decreased mental and appetite status. Treatment should be administered promptly. After catheterization for feline urethral obstruction, hematuria may occur, and there may be situations where the urine cannot be passed. This may be due to stones or bladder epithelial cells. The inflammation level of a cat with urethral obstruction is quite high, and fluid therapy is required. Generally, it takes about a week of treatment for the cat to recover.

Causes of Cats Not Passing Urine

Common causes include: 1) Spontaneous cystitis, which is common in cats after neutering, those who do not exercise, are overweight, and do not like to drink water. 2) Renal failure, where acute renal failure causes decreased or no urine output due to metabolic acidosis, azotemia, and uremia in the early and maintenance stages. 3) Urological stones, such as urinary tract stones and bladder stones, which cause ureteral obstruction.

Symptoms of Feline Urethral Obstruction

Early symptoms of feline urethral obstruction include incomplete urination, difficulty urinating, frequent urination, etc. When the cat is completely obstructed, symptoms such as inability to pass urine, minimal urine output when bladder is compressed, bladder distension, decreased appetite or even refusal to eat, and reluctance to move will appear. It is recommended for owners to take their cats to a pet hospital for inspection and timely drainage of urine from the cat's bladder.

How to Treat Feline Urethral Obstruction

Treatments for feline urethral obstruction include: 1) Direct surgical treatment (urethroscopy) with a low recurrence rate. 2) Catheterization, installation of a urinary catheter, and daily fluid administration, anti-inflammation, and hemostasis. 3) Treatment for 3 to 5 days, then removal of the urinary catheter, with a higher recurrence rate. 4) Feed prescription food to the cat with urethral obstruction.