Cat Urinary Blockage: Can It Lead to Feline Death?

What is Urinary Blockage in Cats?

As the name suggests, urinary blockage in cats refers to the inability of a cat to urinate, which is usually caused by conditions such as urinary tract infections or kidney disease. A healthy cat typically produces 12 mg of urine per kilogram of body weight per hour. If a cat's urine output falls below 1 mg/kg/hour, it indicates a decrease in urine production and a certain degree of urinary obstruction.

What are the Symptoms of Urinary Blockage?

① Gradual Decrease in Urine Output: You can observe the cat's urine output by examining the cat litter. A normal cat weighing around 6 pounds, with adequate water intake, should produce litter clumps the size of a ping pong ball. If the clumps become smaller, it suggests a worsening urinary obstruction.

② Frequent Urination: Cats may frequently attempt to urinate but produce very little urine, sometimes urinating 34 times in just 10 minutes.

③ Extended Time Spent on the Litter Box: Due to the inability to urinate and discomfort in the abdomen, cats may spend more time in the litter box, frequently scratching and changing positions, but ultimately only producing a small amount of urine.

④ Whining or Meowing During Urination: This indicates discomfort or even pain.

⑤ Blood in the Urine: This suggests a more severe case of urinary obstruction.

⑥ Decreased Appetite and Water Intake, Leading to Dehydration and Vomiting: Cats may show signs of depression and listlessness.

Longterm urinary obstruction can be extremely harmful, potentially leading to acute kidney failure, ammonia toxicity, electrolyte imbalance, shock, and even death. It is crucial for cat owners to seek veterinary care immediately if they suspect their cat is experiencing urinary obstruction.

What Causes Urinary Blockage?

The primary causes of urinary blockage include:

(1) Stones: This includes bladder stones, urethral stones, and kidney stones. Stones can irritate the urinary tract and bladder mucosa, leading to secondary symptoms. This condition is often caused by high magnesium in dry food and insufficient water intake. Complete blockage of the ureters can lead to complete urinary obstruction.

(2) Kidney Failure: Cats with kidney failure may experience urinary obstruction due to kidney dysfunction.

(3) Cystitis: This includes bacterial cystitis and spontaneous cystitis, the exact cause of which is unknown. It is believed to be related to a complex interplay of factors, including the nervous system, adrenal glands, bladder, and environmental factors. Cystitis can also lead to uremia.

(4) Urethral Blockage or Urethritis: Urethral blockage is often caused by mucous plugs formed by excessive cell secretion, the shedding of urothelial cells, bladder crystals, and blood clots, which can block the urethra and cause penile edema, worsening the blockage.

(5) Other Causes: These include stress in cats, narrow urinary tracts, penile injuries, insufficient water intake, tumors, and the fact that male cats are more prone to urinary obstruction than female cats.

When a cat is experiencing urinary obstruction, it is essential to consider conditions related to the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.

What Tests Will the Veterinarian Perform?

① Physical Examination: A basic physical examination of the cat's vital signs.

② Blood Tests: To check for inflammation, dehydration, and other conditions, as well as the overall health of the blood.

③ Blood Chemistry Tests: To assess kidney function, looking for elevated levels of urea and creatinine, which indicate azotemia. High blood phosphorus levels may suggest kidney dysfunction.

④ Urinalysis: To check urine specific gravity, routine urinalysis, urine sediment, and urine smear to determine urine composition and identify any abnormalities or infections.

⑤ Imaging Tests: Including ultrasound and Xrays. Ultrasound can detect stones and kidney diseases, while Xrays can determine the condition of the kidneys and bladder, helping to identify the cause of the cat's urinary obstruction.

While there are many tests, they are necessary to determine the cause of the disease and provide valuable clues for treatment. Therefore, you may need to be prepared to spend a significant amount of money during the diagnostic process.

How to Treat and Manage Urinary Blockage

1. Catheterization: The first step in treating urinary obstruction is to insert a catheter to drain urine from the bladder. Failure to do so can lead to acute kidney failure, bladder rupture, ammonia toxicity, electrolyte imbalance, and shock, all of which are lifethreatening emergencies. It is recommended to leave this procedure to a professional, as it requires specific tools and knowledge. Some owners may attempt to catheterize their cats at home, which can cause further damage to the urethra and lead to more severe urinary tract infections and blockages, delaying the cat's treatment.

2. Intravenous Fluids: After inserting the catheter, intravenous fluids are necessary to correct dehydration and, if necessary, to increase renal perfusion and reduce the risk of early uremia. It can also accelerate metabolism and help eliminate toxins and waste products from the body.

3. Targeted Treatment: After a series of tests, the cause of the urinary obstruction is identified, and targeted treatment is then administered. For example, bladder stones may require flushing or surgical removal. In severe cases, urethral stenting may be necessary.

4. Medication: Many urinary system diseases in cats can be treated with medication. Below is an overview of the treatment approach, which can be used for athome care by cat owners.

△ Treatment Approach: Antiinflammatory + Diuretic

△ Medication Combination:

Combination 1: (Official Pet Medication Combination)

Antiinflammatory: Velpada Amoxicillin Powder, once daily.

According to the actual situation, it can be taken for 23 days.

Diuretic: Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, dosage: 34 mg/kg body weight.

Combination 2:

Alternative Antiinflammatory: Cefadroxil Tablets, dosage: 20 mg/kg body weight, once daily.

Diuretic: Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets.

Attention: There should be a 10minute interval between each medication.

5. Care: You can choose to massage your cat to promote urination, which can help alleviate some of the cat's pain and discomfort, although its effect may be minimal.

6. Diet: Try to feed your cat prescription food and increase their water intake.

How to Prevent Urinary Blockage

As always, the key to prevention is to focus on the following:

① Ensure adequate water intake!

② Minimize stress!

③ Encourage regular exercise!

④ Schedule regular veterinary checkups!

⑤ Adjust the diet!

⑥ Regularly observe the litter clumps!

In conclusion, this is all we have to say about urinary obstruction in cats. We hope that all cats can avoid this kind of suffering!