Cat Urinary Obstruction

Your cat's urinary system is important to keep his body healthy. It filters waste and toxins from the bloodstream, and passes them out of the body via urine. If your cat is having trouble urinating, it could be due to a urinary obstruction, which makes it difficult or impossible for your cat to get rid of harmful toxins. Long-haired males are more prone to this problem, although it can affect any cat of any gender or breed.

  1. Cause

    • A urinary tract obstruction can be caused by external or medical factors. External factors refer to the fact that the cat has swallowed something that is now stuck in his urinary tract. Medical factors include infections and diseases that affect the urinary system, such as urinary disease and prostate disease. Kidney or bladder stones could also be at fault, when the minerals in the cat's urine do not dissolve or pass out of the body quickly and accumulate into stones.

    Symptoms

    • The most telling sign that your cat's not feeling well is inappropriate elimination, or urinating outside the litter box. He may strain or cry out in pain as he tries to urinate, or make more frequent attempts to go. An increase in genital grooming can signal a problem, as can blood in the urine and weakness or lethargy.

    Diagnosis

    • After performing a full medical history and physical examination, your vet may conduct additional tests to determine the cause of your cat's bathroom troubles. Abdominal palpitations may reveal the presence of stones or a foreign object in your cat's urinary tract, and X-rays or ultrasounds will confirm the size and location. Blood and urine tests will be performed to search for infections or other medical conditions.

    Treatment

    • Proper treatment depends on the obstruction and underlying cause. Foreign objects or large kidney stones may require surgery to remove them. Antibiotics or medications may be necessary to eliminate any infections or other medical diseases or conditions that are causing inflammation. Intravenous therapy may be necessary to help flush the build up of toxins out of the cat's system once the obstruction is removed.

    Prevention/Solution

    • To ensure your cat has a healthy urinary system, keep his litter box clean at all times and offer lots of fresh water. This will prevent a build up of urine that may lead to kidney or bladder stones. Keep any small, easily swallowed objects out of his reach. Administer any medications as prescribed, and visit your vet regularly for wellness checkups.