🐾 Vet Emergency 2025: Urinary Blockage in Male Cats—Signs, Treatment, and Recovery 🐱🚨

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Urinary blockage—also called urethral obstruction—is a life-threatening emergency that almost exclusively affects male cats. Without prompt treatment, this condition can become fatal in less than 48 hours. If your male cat is straining to urinate or making frequent trips to the litter box without success, seek veterinary care immediately. ⛑️

🚨 Recognizing a Urinary Blockage

Blockages are often caused by:

• 🔬 Crystals and mucus forming a plug (matrix)
• 🪨 Tiny bladder stones
• 🧪 Severe inflammation or urethral spasms

These plugs block the flow of urine through the narrow male urethra. A complete or partial blockage stops urination entirely—or reduces it to a few painful drops. 🛑

⚠️ Symptoms:

• 🚽 Repeated straining in the litter box
• 🩸 Bloody urine or no urine at all
• 🧼 Licking the genital area
• 😿 Vocalizing in pain
• 🤢 Vomiting or lethargy (as toxins build up)

Don’t assume it’s constipation—only a vet can determine the cause. 👨‍⚕️

🩺 Confirmation & Emergency Assessment

Veterinarians diagnose blockage by palpating the bladder. A blocked bladder feels large and firm like a peach vs. soft like a water balloon. Bloodwork and imaging confirm the severity and check for dehydration or toxic buildup. 🧪

💉 Immediate Treatment

Step 1: Relieve the Blockage

• 🧴 A urinary catheter is placed under sedation
• 💧 Flushing may move the plug into the bladder
• 🧪 Bladder is often rinsed with sterile fluids

Most cats are successfully unblocked this way. In rare cases, emergency surgery is required if catheterization fails. ✂️

Step 2: Hospitalization

After unblocking, most cats are hospitalized for:

• 💉 IV fluid therapy (to correct dehydration & flush toxins)
• 🧫 Monitoring of urine output and electrolyte balance
• 💊 Pain control and anti-inflammatory medication

The urinary catheter is left in place for 1–3 days. Post-obstructive diuresis (excessive urination) is common and must be matched with fluids to prevent dehydration. 🩺

🏠 Recovery at Home

• 📆 Risk of re-blocking is highest in the first 1–2 weeks post-discharge
• 🩹 Medications for pain and inflammation may continue
• 🧪 Urinary diets and increased water intake are often prescribed

Important: Monitor urination closely. Report any reduced urine, loss of appetite, or vomiting immediately. ⚠️

⚙️ When Surgery Is Needed: Perineal Urethrostomy (PU)

For cats with repeated blockages, a surgery called perineal urethrostomy (PU) may be recommended. In this procedure, the narrow urethral tip is removed and a wider, female-like opening is created to prevent future blockages. ✂️

Pros:

• ✅ Greatly reduces risk of future obstructions
• ✅ Improves long-term quality of life

Cons and Considerations:

• ⚠️ Does not cure cystitis (bladder inflammation may continue)
• 🧫 Increased risk of future bladder infections
• 📆 Requires regular post-op urine cultures
• 🛁 Special litter and wound care post-surgery

Most PU surgeries are highly successful with excellent outcomes when performed by an experienced surgeon. 🐾

📦 Preventing Recurrence

• 🥫 Feed a prescription urinary diet (wet food preferred)
• 💧 Encourage hydration (water fountains, broths)
• 🧘‍♂️ Reduce stress (environmental enrichment, calming aids)
• 🧼 Keep litter boxes clean and accessible

📍 Final Thoughts

Urinary blockage in male cats is a medical emergency. With prompt action, most cats survive and recover well. But vigilance is crucial post-recovery, and recurrence is possible. Partner with your vet for diet, stress reduction, and regular monitoring. 🐾

Need advice or recovery support after a blockage? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to connect with Dr Duncan Houston or another licensed vet 24/7. 🩺📱