Rescuing My Cat from Urinary Blockage: A Near-Death Exp
It's not uncommon for neutered male cats to experience urinary blockage. If you notice your cat frequently visiting the litter box, producing very little urine, urinating in inappropriate places, or loudly meowing in discomfort while trying to urinate, these could be signs of an impending blockage!
My cat recently suffered from a severe case of urinary blockage due to its heat cycle. After discovering this, I tried numerous home remedies I found online, including hot compresses, massage, water enemas, and administering medications like Sanming tablets and Jincao granules. I tried everything I could find, but nothing seemed to work!
The next morning, I rushed him to the vet. The doctor warned that if we had waited any longer, his kidneys could have started to fail. The cat had to be catheterized, and a lot of bloody urine was drained. The procedure involved flushing with a syringe, and although the cat was given local anesthesia, he still struggled and appeared extremely uncomfortable. The whole process was heartwrenching to watch, and it was a truly painful experience to witness.
✘ The doctor advised against water enemas for cats with urinary blockage because their bladders were already quite full. Further fluid administration could have increased the bladder pressure, potentially leading to bladder rupture. The correct protocol should involve first catheterizing the cat or using medication to induce urination, thus reducing bladder pressure, and then providing hydration.
After the initial visit, we underwent a series of tests, including an ultrasound, urinalysis, blood tests, Xrays, and blood chemistry panels, which cost around 3,000 yuan. We also spent an additional 1,000 yuan on intravenous fluids and medications. Thankfully, after a few days of medication at home and a followup visit, my cat started to improve.
However, urinary blockages in male cats can recur. Last month, my cat began showing symptoms of frequent and urgent urination again, but this time I was not at home, and my elderly relatives were unable to take him to the vet. After consulting with a vet, I instructed them to give my cat Enrofloxacin tablets and Minervin (Hydrochlorothiazide tablets), which are primarily used for inflammation and diuresis. Just a few hours after administering these, my cat urinated a large amount, and after a couple of days of continuous treatment, he urinated normally again.
Currently, my cat has not experienced another blockage. I've been diligently ensuring he stays hydrated to prevent kidney stones, as he's not much of a water drinker. I've been giving him freezedried rehydrating powder and slowly introducing some wet food to increase his water intake.
Once his health stabilizes, I plan to have him neutered, hoping this will prevent any future occurrences of urinary blockage. The thought of going through another such ordeal is just too much for me to bear.
