What Is the Treatment for Feline Urinary Blockage?

Feline urinary blockage affects male cats more often than females and must be treated as an emergency. Laboratory tests help veterinarians determine how long a cat has had a blockage. Initial treatments such as catheters can be effective and will be followed by surgical treatments if needed. Owners might need to learn how to do certain care at home, and dietary changes might be required.

When a cat first presents with feline urinary blockage, the veterinarian will do laboratory tests. These tests are done because urinary blockages can lead to kidney failure. Some medical conditions can contribute to feline urinary blockage, and the tests will reveal these conditions. The tests also can reveal whether a cat has a urinary tract infection or other disease that is hidden because of the blockage.

Initial treatment is to remove the obstruction as soon as possible. Intravenous fluids will be used to support both the cardiovascular system and the kidneys. The cat will be sedated so that a catheter can be inserted.

Hydropropulsion, a method in which saline solution is injected into the urethra, is used either to break up the blockage or to flush it back into the bladder. Some feline urinary blockages might require cystocentesis, or the use of a needle to remove urine directly from the bladder. Medication might also be used as needed to balance blood levels and treat other conditions.

In some cats, the catheter is sutured in. This is called an indwelling catheter, and it will help the cat urinate but can lead to infection. It is important that the cat is not able to get to the catheter and injure itself. After the feline urinary blockage is removed and the cat can urinate normally, the catheter can be removed. Cats usually are kept at the veterinary hospital for an additional 24 hours to ensure that they are able to urinate on their own.

Owners might have to learn how to use compression to help their cats urinate until the bladder has regained the muscle tone it lost when the cat had a blockage. The cat's diet might also need to be changed. Specially formulated foods that prevent the formation of the crystals that cause urinary blockages are available for cats that have had a blockage. Maintenance diets usually are required for the rest of the cat's life to prevent another feline urinary blockage.

If urinary blockages become a common occurrence, surgical treatment might be required. This surgery usually is done on male felines. The surgery involves the removal of the penis and the creation of an opening as large as that of a female cat's urethra. The reason this surgery is sometimes required is that a male cat's urethra is much longer and narrower than a female cat, increasing the risks of repeated urinary blockages. These surgeries usually are successful, but if there is a buildup of scar tissue or the urethra is restricted, they can fail.

Initial treatment for feline urinary blockage typically involves immediate veterinary attention to relieve the obstruction. This is often done through catheterization to drain the bladder and remove the blockage. Fluid therapy is administered to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and pain relief is provided to alleviate discomfort.

Diagnosis of a urinary blockage in cats is made through a combination of physical examination, palpation of the bladder, and diagnostic tests such as urinalysis, blood tests, and imaging like X-rays or ultrasound. These tests help to confirm the blockage and assess the overall health and kidney function of the cat.

Long-term management for cats prone to urinary blockage includes dietary changes to promote a healthy urinary environment, increasing water intake, and potentially prescription diets that help dissolve certain types of bladder stones. Stress reduction and regular veterinary check-ups are also crucial to monitor the cat's urinary health.

Urinary blockages in cats are a medical emergency and cannot be treated at home. Immediate veterinary care is essential to relieve the blockage and prevent life-threatening complications. Delaying professional treatment can lead to kidney failure or bladder rupture, which can be fatal.

The prognosis for a cat after treatment for urinary blockage is generally good if the blockage is relieved promptly and there are no severe underlying conditions. However, recurrence is possible, and some cats may require lifelong management or surgery, such as a perineal urethrostomy, to prevent future blockages.

Surgery is not always required for feline urinary blockage. It is typically considered when other treatments have failed or if the cat suffers from recurrent blockages. Surgical options include cystotomy to remove bladder stones or a perineal urethrostomy to widen the urethral opening, which is more common in male cats due to their narrower urethras.