THIS IS AN EMERGENCY

Recognizing the Emergency

If your cat is straining to urinate, he is at risk for an especially life-threatening complication of this syndrome: the urinary blockage. Mucus, crystals and even tiny bladder stones can clump together to form an actual plug in the narrow male cat urethra. The opening is so small that it does not take a lot to completely or even partially obstruct urine flow. Only a few drops of urine are produced or sometimes no urine at all is produced.

It is hard to tell when a cat is actually blocked as the inflammation, urgency, and non-productive straining also accompany cystitis whether or not there is a blockage. The easiest way to tell is by actually feeling in the belly for the presence of a distended bladder. It is often the size of a peach and about as hard and firm as a peach if it there is an obstruction. (Normal bladders are usually soft like partly filled water balloons and non-obstructed inflamed bladders are usually very small or empty). Still, while this size and texture difference is obvious to the veterinarian, most pet owners are not able to feel for the bladder correctly. If there is any question about whether a male cat is blocked, he should be taken to the vet for evaluation as soon as possible.

If the blockage persists, the toxin build up will result in death.

DO NOT PUT OFF HAVING YOUR CAT CHECKED!

“Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease” or FLUTD is the term describing the following group of clinical signs:

* bloody urine

*straining to urinate

*urinating in unusual places

*urinary blockage (usually in a male cat)

*licking the urinary opening (usually due to pain or discomfort)

A cat with lower urinary tract disease may have some or even all of these signs. It makes sense that effective treatment requires knowing the cause of the symptoms. 

It is important to note that lower urinary tract disease in a male cat can indicate

 urinary blockage and an EMERGENCY.

 If you are not sure if your cat can pass urine, please do not delay 

in calling our office and getting your cat checked!

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