When your cat has trouble urinating, owners need to intervene as soon as possible. It needs to be treated as a life-threatening emergency. It is more so an issue with male cats due to their urethra being so narrow.
The following signs can be observed at home:
- straining in the litter box, going in and out of the litter box on repeated occasions
- urinating outside the litter box.
- crying/vocalizing.
- licking at genitalia
- refusing to eat +/- vomiting
When your cat is examined, and the bladder is completely plugged, our primary objective is to open the urethra again. It will relieve the accumulated urine and flush toxins that have been trapped in the body.
Once your cat has stabilized, a urinary diet should be implemented right away to reduce the risk of re-occurrence.
If you’re looking to learn more about this unique medical emergency, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help and educate our clients!
Written by: Holley McKee, RVT
