Cat Straining To Urinate? Is It A Blocked Bladder?

Ane of the most important aspects of being a pet owner is knowing when something is an emergency and you need to take your pet to the vet immediately or if y'all can wait and go later.

When information technology is a true cat straining to urinate, especially if that cat is a male person, then this is a situation when a veterinary examination is required as presently as possible.

Sometimes, it tin can be difficult to tell if there is a problem, so in this article, nosotros share what to expect out for so you can brand an informed decision.

cat in litter box

Male Cats Are More At Chance

Due to their anatomy, male cats develop urinary tract obstructions far more than ofttimes than female cats.

The male urethra has a narrower diameter and a bend in it rather than being straight. This means that if there is a build-upward of sludge such as a urethral plug or if at that place are crystals in the urine, these can go caught in this area and create blockage.

Remember that a blocked urethra that is left without treatment will always be fatal.

How To Tell If Your True cat Has A Blocked Bladder

The following signs are an indication that your cat may be having problem urinating.

If you discover whatsoever of these signs it is important that you seek veterinary advice. While all cases demand to be examined at some stage, further questioning by the vet will determine if you need to rush to the vet immediately.

  • Your cat looks similar it is straining to become to the toilet. You might recollect he is constipated.
  • Your cat is licking his bottom a lot.
  • Your cat is scratching at the litter tray but isn't urinating.
  • Your true cat is posturing like they are urinating, but nothing comes out.
  • Your cat is dribbling urine.
  • Your cat has blood in his urine.
  • Your true cat is very apartment, vomiting and unwilling to motion – he might look sleepy or fifty-fifty be asleep.

If you are worried near your cat, our vets are online 24/seven.

Yes, I'd like to speak with a vet

how to tell if your cat has a blocked bladder

Why Is My True cat Struggling To Pee?

Many cats struggle to urinate due to a problem called FLUTD or 'feline urinary tract affliction'.

Information technology is a common trouble for many cats and is a term used to describe a number of different problems that may exist caused past:

  • Inflammation of the float or urethra "cystitis"
  • Uroliths: Stones and crystals in the urine
  • Infection (cat urinary tract infections are very rare, especially in those < 10 years old)
  • Neoplasia (cancer)
  • Urethral plug (mucoproteinaceous plug)
  • Idiopathic – (information technology 'just happens' and nosotros don't know why)

If your true cat is showing signs of straining to urinate, blood in the urine or urinating in unusual places, your cat may be struggling with this problem.

Many cats who struggle to pee, have an underlying anxiety or stress

It is sometimes difficult for u.s. as owners to understand what might be causing this stress, equally information technology seems like our true cat has everything it needs.

Common Causes Of Stress For A True cat

  • New cats in the neighbourhood.
  • Cats peering in the window at them.
  • A new cat in the household.
  • New people in the household – could be visitors or a boyfriend/girlfriend.
  • A alter in nutrition or sleeping arrangements.
  • A litter tray that is not in a identify where they feel safe.
  • A alter in litter tray substrate.
  • A dirty litter tray.

How Volition The Vet Treat A Blocked Bladder?

block cat with catheter and bowl of blood tinged urine

This cat has had a catheter inserted into the urethra so that the bladder is unblocked. Yous tin can meet the claret-tinged urine indicating severe inflammation.

While asking you lot about your cat's history and symptoms, your vet volition palpate your cat'due south abdomen checking the size of the float.

They will also perform a complete concrete test checking the eye, lungs, temperature and blood pressure.

Cats that have been blocked for a while will often accept a low body temperature and eye charge per unit and possibly will be comatose.

Before attempting to unblock a bladder information technology'due south essential that the cat is stabilised first.

This requires blood to be taken to bank check your cat's electrolytes and haematology.

Many cats with a blocked bladder get increased levels of potassium in their blood (hyperkalaemia) that depresses the heart and volition brand your cat asleep.

It'south essential that we recognise and reverse these abnormal blood results as much as we can earlier attempting anaesthesia.

Considering urine can't be voided, the level of urea and creatinine increases in the blood. This is called azotaemia.

Before your true cat is anaesthetised to unblock the bladder, your vet will give aggressive fluid therapy to correct electrolytes and perfusion and gently warm him up.

If this is not performed promptly your cat may die.

The float is unblocked under full general amazement.  Sometimes this can be quite difficult to exercise!

An indwelling catheter is placed in the urethra and the bladder is thoroughly flushed to remove whatsoever crystals and stones. This catheter is sutured in place to assistance maintain patency of the urethra for about 24-36 hours.  When the catheter is removed your cat will exist watched closely to ensure that he doesn't reblock (about 14% practise reblock).

During this time, your cat will be on lots of pain relief, urethral relaxants to preclude spasm and anti-stress medication. Nosotros don't want to see your true cat straining to urinate.

Video: Dr Leigh Discusses Treatment Of A Cat With A Blocked Bladder

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if a cat is peeing claret merely interim normal?

A cat that is peeing claret only interim normal has a status called FLUTD.

These cats are often suffering from some type of stress, which can exist very hard to recognise.

It's important that your true cat sees a veterinary who will assess the urine for signs of inflammation and ensure that there is no infection present.

Depending on the diagnosis handling will likely focus on pain relief and reducing stress. If an infection is found and then antibiotics will exist required (infection is non common).

How long tin a cat go without peeing?

While a cat can become without peeing for up to 24 hours, it is an incredibly difficult judgment to make due to many variables, the almost of import i being practice we ever actually know the time the cat last urinated?

For that reason, if you notice that your cat has not peed in a 12 60 minutes menstruation it is important to seek veterinary attention.

Failure to urinate within a 12 hour period will non only atomic number 82 to a build up of toxins in the blood stream, but if a blockage is the reason, and so the bladder will become stretched and damaged by urine volume retention.

What To Do If Y'all Come across Your Cat Straining To Urinate?

A cat with a blocked bladder is at risk of death.

Please arrive touch with our emergency vets or head straight to your local clinic. After taking a thorough history, if our vets suspect that at that place is a blockage, y'all will need to take your cat to a local vet dispensary.

Make sure you share this article with friends who have cats, information technology may just salvage their cat'south life.

Tell the states below if your true cat has had a blocked bladder and what signs you noticed. Allow'southward help others recognise the signs of a blocked bladder.

cystitis and flutd in cats