What causes blocked urethra in male cats?
Urethral obstruction can have a number of different causes. These include physical obstructions such as urethral plugs, urinary stones, strictures, or tumors. Mechanical blockages can also occur secondary to urethral spasm or swelling secondary to inflammation in the lower urinary tract.
What causes a male cat’s urethra to be blocked?
A male cat’s urethra can also become blocked by small urinary stones or by urethral plugs: a mixture of cells that are used to line the bladder, mucus and crystals formed from minerals in the urine.
What should I do if my male cat has an urinary blockage?
Once your cat is urinating normally, you’ll be able to bring them home. The vet will likely prescribe them antibiotics, pain medicine and/or medicine to relax the urethra, as well as recommend a therapeutic food formulated for urinary health. Unfortunately, once a male cat has a urinary blockage, there’s a higher risk of it happening again.
Is it possible for a cat to have an urinary obstruction?
If the surgery is performed properly, it is unlikely that cats will develop subsequent urinary obstructions. Perineal urethrostomy does not prevent bladder inflammation or stone formation, however, so clinical signs of urinary tract disease may continue in some cats.
Which is the best treatment for urethral obstruction in cats?
Degrees of Hyperkalemia 1 Calcium Gluconate. Calcium gluconate is the treatment of choice for cats with severe hyperkalemia, bradycardia, and electrocardiographic instability. 2 Dextrose. IV dextrose is helpful for longer term control of hyperkalemia. 3 Sodium Bicarbonate. 4 Cystocentesis. …
Why does my male cat have a blockage in his urethra?
Whether the blockage is from urinary crystals or bladder stones. This is because a male cat’s urethra is much longer and more narrow. The common term used for a urethral blockage is “blocked”.
What to do if your cat has an urethral obstruction?
Male cats are susceptible to urethral obstructions. Perineal urethrostomy is a surgery that can cure repeated blockages. Learn how to help keep your cat’s urinary tract healthy!
Who is at risk for urinary blockage in cats?
Male cats are at higher risk for urinary blockage, especially those that are overweight. It occurs more commonly in neutered male cats, but it can also happen to cats that are not neutered. Cats who have anxiety or high stress are also more at risk for getting a urinary blockage.
How can you tell if a cat has an urinary obstruction?
A cat with a urethral obstruction will have a large, painful bladder that is easily felt in the back half of the belly unless the bladder has ruptured. Some risk factors have been evaluated for lower urinary tract disease in cats.
