Urinary obstruction is a serious and potentially lethal problem for male cats. A urinary obstruction occurs when the urethra, which is a narrow tube connecting the bladder with the outside of the body, is partially or totally blocked. This causes urine build-up inside the bladder, leading to very dangerous problems if left untreated.
Because the length and diameter of the urethra differs greatly between males and females, male cats are much more susceptible to urinary obstruction. Prompt recognition of the first symptoms is important, since an acute urinary blockage will require immediate veterinary attention.
Why Are Male Cats More Prone to Urinary Blockages?
Anatomically male cats have a longer and thinner urethra than females. Thus, smaller amounts of inflammatory materials, mucus, crystals or urinary stones are able to lodge in this area and limit urine from flowing out.
A number of underlying health issues can also create a blockage:
- The build up of soft protein and mucus-like substances, white blood cells and crystallized minerals called urethral plugs are found at the tip of the penis and can block urine from flowing through the penis.
- Minerals within the body that have formed into small stones in the bladder may pass out of the bladder into the urethra where they will block urine.
- Inflammatory bladder disease caused by feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is a painful bladder disorder for which there is currently no single identifiable cause. FIC is one of the most common contributors to lower urinary tract disorders and many times leads to a urinary obstruction.
- Any degree of narrowing or constriction of the urethra due to inflammation or spasm may impair the normal flow of urine.
- Other less common causes include scarring, abnormal anatomy and tumors that may all impede normal flow of urine.
Lower urinary tract disease is influenced by stress, lack of consumption of adequate amounts of water, excess weight, limited physical activities as well as various environmental factors. However, a blockage can still occur in cats with no identifiable risk factors.
Signs of Urinary Blockage in Male Cats
The first signs are often similar to common urinary symptoms for cats, so it is important to be aware of these changes in your cat’s litter box behavior. Some typical warning signs include:
- Frequently visiting the litter box
- Straining repeatedly or crouching in an attempt to urinate
- Passing only small amounts of urine
- Crying or making other sounds when trying to urinate
- Visible blood in the urine
- Licking excessively at his genitals
- Urinating outside of the litter box.
- Showing visible restlessness, hiding or showing obvious abdominal distress.
As the cat’s obstruction worsens, the cat will continue to get sicker and show signs such as decreased appetite, vomiting, increased weakness, lethargic behavior and the ultimate sign being collapse.
You can’t assume that all times when a cat strains in the litter box is due to constipation. Many owners think they know what their cat’s condition is and make assumptions about how their cat feels. If an owner sees their male cat trying to urinate repeatedly with little to no urine produced, then this could be a urinary blockage, which requires immediate treatment from a veterinarian.
Veterinary Emergency
If you are seeing that your male cat is straining to urinate but unable to do so, seek immediate veterinary assistance. Do not wait for further symptoms to appear.
Why Is a Complete Urinary Blockage Life-Threatening?
When the urethra is fully occluded, there will be an inability for the urine to exit the bladder. There will be increasing pressure within the urinary system that may lead to decreased efficiency of the kidneys in removing waste and maintaining normal concentrations of body fluids and electrolytes.
High potassium levels in the blood may occur which could create dangerous arrhythmias of the heart. As well, because the kidneys are unable to remove waste from the body, it creates a buildup of metabolic by-products creating uraemia and further decreasing renal function.
The bladder can become extremely distended and painful. In addition to this, long-term occlusion can result in severe injury or rupture to the bladder.
Without treatment, a complete obstruction of urination can be deadly in a very short time frame, sometimes in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Therefore, it is extremely important that your pet receive immediate veterinary care.
How Is Urinary Blockage Diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will then perform a physical exam to determine the overall health status of your pet, check their hydration level, take their heart rate and feel their bladder. If the vet finds that the cat has an enlarged, hard and very sore bladder, this usually means that there is an obstructive urinary issue present.
Additional diagnostic testing that you or your veterinarian may want to consider includes:
- Blood Tests: These are used to evaluate kidney function, check for elevated potassium levels and other abnormal electrolytes.
- Urinalysis: A urinalysis is conducted to look for blood, crystals and any other abnormalities in the urine.
- X-Rays: X-ray imaging allows veterinarians to view and possibly diagnose urinary stones and assess the urinary tract.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound is utilized by veterinarians to look at the bladder, assess for urinary stones and to further investigate for additional urinary issues.
Based on the results from the physical exam and diagnostic tests above, the veterinarian will be able to confirm if your cat has an obstruction, how severe the blockage is and what could have caused the blockage.
How Is Urinary Blockage Treated?
Most cats will require supportive care for their current condition as well as the potential urgency of unblocking the urinary tract or addressing potentially fatal related complications.
Generally, treatment will include:
- Stabilization: Fluids given intravenously, along with other necessary medications, to replace fluids lost due to dehydration and correct potential electrolyte imbalances and cardiac-related issues.
- Catheterization of the urethra: A urinary catheter is placed under either general anesthesia or conscious sedation into the urethra. This allows removal of the obstruction and restoration of urine flow from the bladder.
- Monitoring in hospital: The catheter can be left in place for a couple of days. Monitoring of urine output, kidney function, and electrolytes occurs during recovery.
- Management of pain and discomfort: Medications that manage both pain and inflammation appropriately assist in reducing discomfort.
However, if your cat has had multiple episodes of urinary obstruction or they have developed an inability to urinate through conventional methods of relief, then you and your veterinarian may consider a surgical intervention known as perineal urethrostomy (PU). This surgery removes some of the narrowed portion of the urethra which could cause repeated urinary obstruction. Perineal Urethrostomy does however provide no protection against subsequent development of additional health issues affecting the feline lower urinary tract.
Can Urinary Blockage Be Prevented?
Prevention of all recurrent urinary obstructions is not possible. However, there are ways that can be implemented to reduce the occurrence of future urinary tract problems:
- Provide access to fresh water at multiple locations or use a water fountain to encourage drinking.
- Consider adding some wet foods as well to your cat’s dietary program for an additional source of daily hydration.
- Encourage an active lifestyle, but do not over-exercise your cat. Maintain a healthy body weight with proper eating habits.
- Clean litter boxes regularly. If you have more than one cat, make sure there is one box per cat, plus one extra.
- Manage stress levels by establishing a routine for your cat and by ensuring they have adequate places to rest and hide.
- If your veterinarian has recommended it, follow the urinary specific diet that was prescribed.
Dietary management and lifestyle adjustments for a cat who has experienced a prior urinary obstruction may be necessary to manage this condition over time. In addition, regular checkups by your veterinarian can help diagnose the onset of potential urinary obstruction at an earlier stage.
Final Thoughts
A male cat suffering from an obstructed urinary system is a critical medical situation with the potential to develop rapidly into a life threatening problem. Any number of urination visits to the litter box, straining, and producing very little to no urine are indicators of urinary problems which should be immediately investigated by your veterinarian. The sooner your veterinarian treats for the obstruction as well as any resultant complications, the better the prognosis for your cat’s recovery.
Knowing about feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and recognizing signs of urinary emergencies will enable you to react promptly and protect your pet’s health.