🆘 Vet First Aid 2025: Straining to Eliminate in Dogs and Cats – What to Do and What to Avoid 🐾🚨

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

🔍 What Does "Straining" Really Mean?

Straining to eliminate refers to the visible effort a pet makes while attempting to urinate or defecate. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for pet owners to distinguish whether the pet is having trouble with their bladder or their bowels. Both issues can look similar—but they require very different treatments. ⚠️

💬 Common Misunderstanding

Many pet owners assume straining means constipation. In reality, it could signal:

• 🦠 A life-threatening urinary blockage
• 💥 A severe intestinal issue like colitis, cancer, or megacolon
• 🩺 Prostate enlargement in male dogs
• 🐾 Tumors or polyps in the bladder or intestines

🚨 A True Emergency: Urethral Obstruction

In male cats, urinary obstruction is common and can be fatal within hours if left untreated. The bladder fills but cannot empty, causing extreme pain, vomiting, lethargy, and ultimately death from uremic poisoning.

In dogs, blockage is often due to:

• 🪨 Bladder or urethral stones
• 🧬 Tumors or inflammation
• ⚡ Trauma or nerve dysfunction

🐾 Signs to Watch For

• 🧍‍♂️ Frequent trips to the litter box or outside with no output
• 🌀 Circling or straining with little or no success
• 🗣️ Crying out or vocalizing in pain
• 🩸 Blood in urine or stool
• 🤢 Vomiting, lethargy, or collapse (urgent)

🧪 Straining Due to Urinary Tract Issues

In cats, the most common diagnosis is feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which may involve:

• 💢 Bladder inflammation (cystitis)
• 🧪 Crystals or mucus plugs
• 🧬 Stress-induced inflammation

💩 Straining Due to Digestive Issues

Pets may also strain due to:

• 💩 Constipation or obstipation
• 🧫 Intestinal infections or colitis
• 🎗️ Tumors or hernias

🩺 What to Do (First Aid Steps)

• 🚗 Transport the pet to your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately
• 🧼 Use a soft carrier or towel for painful pets
• 📞 Call ahead to let the clinic know you're coming

🚫 What NOT to Do

• ⛔ Don’t assume constipation—could be a fatal urinary blockage
• ⛔ Don’t give any medications unless instructed by a vet
• ⛔ Don’t apply pressure to the abdomen—it can cause bladder rupture

🧬 Diagnosis at the Clinic

Your vet will likely perform:

• 🩺 Physical exam and palpation of the bladder
• 🧫 Urinalysis and culture
• 📸 X-rays or ultrasound
• 🧪 Bloodwork to assess kidney function

💊 Treatment

Depending on the cause, treatments may include:

• ⚡ Emergency catheterization for urinary blockages
• 🧴 Enemas or laxatives for constipation (under vet supervision)
• 💉 Antibiotics or anti-inflammatories
• 🥣 Special diets or fluid therapy
• 🔬 Surgery for masses or severe obstructions

📅 Long-Term Management

• 💧 Hydration is key for urinary and digestive health
• 🥣 Prescription diets may reduce recurrence of stones or constipation
• 📉 Stress management for cats prone to FLUTD
• 🧪 Periodic monitoring with urinalysis or bloodwork

🩺 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Straining to eliminate is not something to “wait and see.” It can indicate a medical emergency, especially in male cats. Whether the issue is urinary, digestive, or something else entirely, timely veterinary care is critical. Don’t delay—treatment within hours could save your pet’s life. 🐾

📲 Need Help Right Now? Ask A Vet

If your pet is straining and you're not sure what to do, get expert help fast. Download the Ask A Vet app and connect with Dr Duncan Houston or a licensed vet—24/7—right from your phone. 🆘🐶🐱