If you've heard of pets having urinary blockage or obstruction, you've likely been through it with a pet, or know someone who has. Many pet owners do not realize how serious the condition is, and that it can prove fatal.
Urinary obstruction occurs when the urethra becomes blocked, meaning the pet cannot urinate. A little review of the urinary system: the kidneys produce urine by filtering toxins, excess electrolytes and excess water from the body. Urine moves from the kidneys, down the ureters, to the bladder, where it is expelled through the urethra. If the urethra becomes blocked and urine cannot be eliminated, urine, electrolytes and toxins begin to back up. This can cause damage to the kidneys. One important thing excreted in the urine is excess potassium from the body. Potassium is an electrolyte which the body needs, but too much potassium can cause the heart to stop functioning. If the body cannot eliminate urine, it cannot eliminate the excess potassium, so as levels rise, concern rises for impaired cardiac function.
Urinary blockages can be caused by bladder stones, tumors, mucus plugs, blood clots, or scarring. One or more of these things can build up over time and become lodged in the urethra. Males are more likely to have urinary blockage than females due to the male's longer urethra. This condition is most commonly seen in male cats.
Symptoms of a urinary blockage include dribbling urine, attempting or straining to urinate but producing little to no urine, blood in the urine or blood drops where kitty has been, frequent trips to the litter box, yowling in the litter box (it's a very painful condition), painful abdomen, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Left untreated, or waiting to treat, can lead to death.
Pets in this condition should be taken to the veterinarian immediately, even if it's a weekend or overnight (there are 24 hour emergency vets). The vet will palpate, or feel, the abdomen, and often will feel a large, hard bladder, which is usually a clear indicator of a urinary blockage. Radiographs may be taken to confirm a blockage and look for evidence of bladder stones. Blood work will be used to evaluate the condition of the kidneys, as well as electrolytes for cardiac function (remember the mention of potassium above).
The patient will be sedated while the vet attempts to unblock the urethra. This is done by carefully placing a urinary catheter and flushing whatever is blocking the urethra back up into the bladder to allow urine to pass. This can take seconds to minutes or longer, depending on what is causing the blockage. It's definitely not as easy as it sounds! Once unblocked, the vet will obtain a urine sample for analysis to determine if there is an infection or crystals present in the urine.
Patients will be placed on IV fluids to aid in hydration as well as to help correct electrolyte imbalances. A urinary catheter will remain in place for at least a day, possibly longer, to monitor urine output. Antibiotics and other medications, including pain medication, may be administered as well.
Your veterinarian may recommend a diet change based on what is suspected to have caused the blockage. There are several veterinary diets formulated to dissolve crystals and help prevent future blockages. These diets come in dry and wet varieties, and often wet food is recommended to increase your pet's water intake in an effort to maintain hydration and flushing of the urinary system.
Once a patient has a urinary blockage, it has a greater chance of re-blocking in the future. Following a recommended diet and regular trips to your veterinarian can help decrease the chance of your pet re-blocking. Pets that block several times may be recommended for a surgery called a perineal urethrostomy (also known as a PU surgery). This surgery will make the urethral opening permanently larger, reducing the chances of future blockages. Diet and frequent monitoring are still required after this surgery.
The thing to remember with urinary blockages is that they can happen quickly and are a life-threatening emergency. Treatment can cost $500-1000 or more depending on how the pet presents and responds to treatment. If you suspect a urinary blockage, don't wait! Call your veterinarian immediately! If your regular vet cannot see you right away, ask for a recommended emergency facility.
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