09/10/2024
Blocked cats... IT'S AN EMERGENCY!
If you ever see your cat (especially male cat) straining to urinate, looking "constipated", or with bloody urine, it is very likely they are blocked. This is a life-threatening emergency, as a blocked bladder puts pressure on the kidneys, which disrupts the electrolyte balance and can lead to heart failure. The bladder can also burst, leading to a "uroabdomen". If your cat shows these signs, please call us or bring them straight in. A completely blocked cat can die in as little as 3 days!
A blockage can occur due to a few reasons. There could be something in the urethra blocking it (such as a crystal or stone), or it could be because there's inflammation surrounding it causing it to swell and occlude. Sometimes this is due to a UTI (urinary tract infection), but sometimes the cause is unknown - this is called "Feline Idiopathic Cystitis" and is often related to stress.
The two main types of crystals cats get are struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.
They can be triggered by a UTI with urease producing bacteria, or can be diet related.
Some signs to look out for:
- straining to urinate or looking "constipated"
- frequent trips to the litter box, but little to no urine output
- unusual yowling or vocalising, especially when trying to urinate (it is painful)
- depressed, quiet, vomiting and slow or fast heart rate (often related to electrolyte imbalances)
Treatment involves placing a urinary catheter into the urethra to clear the way for urine to come out, and flushing the bladder. They often need to stay in hospital for a few days, to prevent reoccurrence. Sometimes surgery is required to remove stones from the bladder - an x ray can help determine this. Struvite crystals/stones can sometimes be dissolved (after unblocking!) with a special diet, however calcium oxalate stones usually need surgery.
Prevention is always better than cure - some things that might help include:
- keeping stress levels down (clean litter tray, a quiet place to escape to, Feliway diffusers etc)
- increase their water intake (keep their water clean, try a drinking fountain, include wet food in the diet)
- urinary diet (especially if they've had problems in the past)
Again, if you have any questions or are worried about your cat, please give us a ring!
(Photos from St Bennards Animal Medical Centre 2024, Anicira 2024)