Urinary Blockage is an emergency!

Recognizing The Emergency

Illustration by Wendy Brooks, DVM

We have already described the signs of feline idiopathic cystitis (F.I.C.) as straining to urinate, bloody urine, etc. If the cat is a male, he is at risk for an especially life-threatening complication of this syndrome: urinary blockage.

Mucus, crystals and even tiny bladder stones can clump together to form a plug in the narrow male cat urethra. The opening is so small that it does not take a lot to completely or even partially obstruct urine flow. Only a few drops of urine are produced or sometimes no urine at all is produced.

It is hard to tell when a cat is blocked as the inflammation, urgency, and non-productive straining also accompany cystitis, and whether or not there is a blockage. The easiest way to tell is by feeling in the belly for a distended bladder. It is often the size of a peach and if there is an obstruction the bladder will be about as hard and firm as a peach. (Normal bladders are usually soft, like partly filled water balloons and non-obstructed inflamed bladders are usually very small or empty). Still, while this size and texture difference is obvious to the veterinarian, most pet owners cannot feel for the bladder correctly. If there is any question about whether a male cat is blocked, he should be taken to the vet for evaluation as soon as possible.

Confirmation and Assessment

Bladder Palpation by Veterinarian

Photo by MarVistaVet

The veterinarian will feel the bladder in the abdomen and attempt to express urine. Sometimes gentle pressure will actually expel the obstruction, but usually, the cat will require more aggressive means of relief. The blocked cat will be assessed for dehydration and toxin buildup. The urinary toxins that build up in obstructions commonly cause vomiting, nausea, and appetite loss. They can also cause life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances. Your cat is assessed for all these complications as they must be addressed.

A partial blockage can be just as serious as a complete blockage. Treatment is usually the same.

Initial Treatment 

Urinary Catheterization of the Penis

Photo by MarVistaVet

The single most important thing for the obstructed cat is to have the blockage relieved. This is done by placing a urinary catheter through the urethral opening and either through the obstruction itself or using pulses of flushing solution to move the plug back into the bladder, where it can be dissolved. This procedure is often painful, and sedation will most likely be needed. Some cats are unblocked with great difficulty only. Some cats cannot be unblocked and must have an emergency perineal urethrostomy to re-establish urine flow (see below for details on this surgery).

Fortunately, most cats are successfully unblocked. The urinary catheter is sewn in place and will stay in place for a couple of days. Often a urinary collection bag is attached to the catheter so that urine production can be measured. Sometimes, the bladder is filled with sterile fluid and flushed out to remove crystals, inflammatory debris, and blood.

Bloody Urine in Collection Bag

Photo by MarVista Vet

When the blocked cat has filled his bladder to capacity, his kidneys stop making urine as there is nowhere for it to go. Once urine flow returns, the kidneys quickly begin to correct the metabolic disasters that have been taking place. Often an extremely sick blocked cat can be snatched from the jaws of death by having proper fluid support and by re-establishing urine production. It is amazing how efficient the working kidneys can be in restoring the body's balance; still, it is important to realize that this is a serious condition, and not every cat can be saved.

Occasionally a cat is brought in soon after blocking and achieves an excellent urinary stream immediately after unblocking. These cats may be able to proceed with treatment without having to spend a few days in the hospital or without having to have the catheter sewn into place. Most blocked cats do not fit into this category, but its important to realize that some cats can avoid more aggressive treatment.

Further, in the event of extreme budget limitations on the owner's part, a blocked cat can be unblocked quickly and returned to the owner for aftercare. This speed is not a good idea as the cat is likely to need additional support for the best chance of survival; still, given that leaving the cat blocked would be cruel and ultimately end in the cat's death, this may be an alternative in some cases.

What Happens During Hospitalization?

The kidneys do most of the work during the recovery phase. The cat must wear a type of collar that prevents biting at or removing the crucial urinary catheter. Urine production is monitored closely as after the obstruction is relieved, often dramatic urine volumes are produced. (This is called post-obstructive diuresis, and if the cat is not drinking on his own, it is vital that his fluid therapy matches the volumes produced as urine. If they do not, he will dehydrate.) Fluid therapy is given either intravenously or under the skin, depending on the degree of support needed by the cat. Medications are given to relieve pain and relax the irritated urethra.

After a couple of days of catheterization, the catheter is removed, and the patient is observed for re-blockage. He will not be allowed to go home until his urine stream seems strong and relatively easy. Some cats will leak urine at this point as it is painful for them to engage in normal pushing; this is generally a temporary problem. Once he seems to be urinating reliably on his own, he will be released for home care.

Recovery and What Owners Should Look Out For

In an ideal world, owners can learn how to feel the abdomen for a firm, obstructed bladder. This is hard to teach at discharge, mostly because, at this point, the cat is pretty sore. There will usually be medications and dietary recommendations to go home with the cat.

At home, the same straining and possibly bloody urine will still be produced. As the owner, you needs to be aware of urine volume being produced and of bladder size, if possible. Any loss of appetite or vomiting should be reported to the veterinarian at once. If there is any concern about reblocking, the veterinarian can determine fairly easily if your cat has re-blocked even if you cannot.

Most cats recover uneventfully. Some cats, especially if they have been blocked before, will require ongoing preventative treatment.

Occasionally the bladder over-stretches while it is blocked and is permanently damaged. Such cats require medication to help them contract and empty their bladders normally. This is unusual, but one should be aware of the possibility.

Feline male anatomy

The Perineal Urethrostomy

Urinary blockage is almost exclusively a problem reserved for males. This is because the female urethra is shorter and broader and thus far more difficult to obstruct. When urinary blockage becomes recurrent in a male cat, it becomes time to consider surgical reconstruction of the genitalia to create a more female-like opening. This surgery is called the perineal urethrostomy or PU for short. Basically, the penis is removed, and a new urinary opening is made.

Before considering this surgery, here are some considerations:

• This surgery is done to prevent obstruction of the urinary tract. It does not prevent feline idiopathic cystitis. This means the cat is likely to continue to periodically experience recurring bloody urine, straining, etc. He just will not be able to block and complicate the situation.
• Cats with perineal urethrostomies are predisposed to bladder infections and infection-related bladder stones. The University of Minnesota currently recommends that male cats with perineal urethrostomies have regular periodic urine cultures, even if they are asymptomatic. Expect a general schedule for your cat to have screening urine cultures at your veterinarian's office. 

Perineal urethrostomy illustration

Things to Consider Regarding Perineal Urethrostomy

• The metabolic complications from the urinary blockage should be resolved before the surgery is performed. In some emergency situations this is not possible (the male cat cannot always be unblocked with a urinary catheter and a new urinary opening may have to be constructed on an emergency basis.) Residual urinary toxin build up is an important risk factor that should be eliminated or minimized if possible.
• Shredded paper or pelleted newspaper litter should be used during the 10 days following surgery. Clay and sand litter may stick to the incision and disrupt healing.
• The most serious complication that can occur post-operatively is scar (stricture) formation. This causes a narrowing of the urinary opening and the surgery may have to be revised.
• In theory, local nerve damage can occur during the surgery leading to urinary and/or fecal incontinence. Obviously these are disasters for a household pet but fortunately this is a very rare complication.
• As mentioned, regular urine cultures (urinary tests to check for bacterial growth) are recommended for cats with perineal urethrostomies.