Inside this Article:
Help! My Cat Suddenly Can’t Urinate
Urinary issues in cats can sometimes be an emergency medical situation, meaning:
- These situations must be treated at the hospital; don't attempt “home remedies” as your home lacks the necessary conditions.
- When you notice the issue, head to the hospital immediately. Delaying treatment can lead to serious consequences.
Today, we’ll be discussing a serious condition related to urination: urinary blockage.
Why Can’t My Cat Urinate?
Urinary blockage refers to difficulty urinating, or even complete inability to urinate. When a cat can’t urinate at all, the blockage can lead to acute kidney failure, which can result in death within 24-48 hours. So, if you spot symptoms of urinary blockage in your cat, get them to the hospital immediately for catheterization.
Pet Owner’s Story
A two-year-old neutered male cat was making odd noises before and after using the litter box one evening. The next day, the cat was lethargic, not moving much, although he still had an appetite and was drinking water—yet he hadn’t urinated.
That evening, the cat’s condition hadn’t improved, so the owner rushed him to the hospital. After examination, the cat was diagnosed with urinary blockage caused by sloughed bladder epithelium obstructing the urethral opening.
The pet owner was fortunate to catch the issue early. Most owners notice blockage only after two to three days, which can already lead to kidney damage or even acute kidney failure by that time.
What Are the Symptoms of Urinary Blockage in Cats?
At the beginning, a cat’s urethra may not be fully blocked, so they might exhibit abnormal urination behaviors:
- Your cat may repeatedly enter and exit the litter box, urinating only a little or not at all.
- You may notice smaller urine clumps when scooping the litter.
- The cat may cry out in pain while attempting to urinate or refuse to use the litter box altogether, choosing to urinate elsewhere like the floor or bed.
If your cat urinates outside the litter box, don’t immediately scold them—first check for signs of urinary difficulty.
Due to pain, cats may lick their genital or tail areas excessively and may avoid being touched. They might also hide.
As the condition progresses to a complete blockage, metabolic waste products like urea nitrogen, creatinine, and potassium accumulate in the blood, causing symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, and extreme lethargy. This indicates that the urinary blockage is severely affecting the body’s function.
How Can You Self-Diagnose a Cat’s Urinary Blockage?
If you notice the symptoms described above, you can reasonably suspect urinary blockage. Here’s how to check:
- Place your cat on a table and locate their bladder (near the abdomen, close to the rear).
- Gently press on the bladder. A normal bladder should feel like the size of an orange—soft and squishy, like a water-filled balloon.
- If the bladder is hard, like a peach, your cat may have urinary blockage. This will cause pain, so be sure to handle them gently.
A healthy bladder is small and nearly undetectable when empty. If you find that your cat’s bladder feels firm and painful to touch, it’s time to seek immediate veterinary care to relieve the blockage!
Time is of the Essence!
Urinary blockage in cats should never be ignored. It’s a race against time, and delaying treatment can have serious consequences. If you notice your cat is having trouble urinating, act quickly and get them to the vet for proper care.
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