What is urethral obstruction - Life threatening

The urethra is a tubelike structure that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In males, the major portion of the urethra is located inside the penis. Sometimes, mineral crystals or stones form in the urethra and block the passage to the outside. The blockage is called a urethral plug. Because a male cat's urethra is longer and narrower than a female's, urethral plugs are most often seen in males (whether or not they are neutered). Once a plug has formed, urine cannot exit to the outside and builds up in the bladder. This is not only painful to the cat, but can quickly cause acute renal failure as toxic substances accumulate in the bloodstream. If the blockage is not released and if the cat is not medically treated, the final result is a painful death.

Causes

The cause of urethral plugs is not fully known. Plugs could result from a combination of poor diet and highly concentrated, alkaline (low acid) urine. Possibly, some viruses or bacterial infections trigger plug formation. Some experts believe that some plugs may be linked to diseases of the prostate gland.

Symptoms

Very often, the cat appears to be constipated. He or she visits the litter box frequently but fails to pass (or passes very little) urine. He may try to urinate outside the litter box and may even urinate a small amount of bloody urine. Licking the genital area, depression, weakness, vomiting, and lack of appetite are also symptoms of urethral obstruction.

Treatment

Urethral obstruction is an emergency. Yet, if the symptoms are noticed early and professional treatment is obtained immediately, your cat's chance of recovery is very good.

Your veterinarian will first try to relieve the obstruction by applying gentle pressure to the bladder and manipulating the penis. If the plug remains, the doctor may insert a catheter through the urethra into the bladder (with the cat sedated or under a light anesthesia) or suction urine directly from the bladder with a needle and syringe. Usually, one of the above procedures will remove the obstruction. As a last resort, however, or if the cat is prone to obstructions, surgery is required. The surgery is called perineal urethrostomy. Even if the initial procedures do work, obstruction may recur in some cats within days or weeks.

Prevention

All cats should be encouraged to exercise and be kept at a trim, healthy weight. Feed your cat a high quality cat food that is low in magnesium. Entice him to urinate frequently by keeping his litter box clean and always accessible. He should have constant access to plenty of fresh water. If your cat is prone to obstructions, you may need to administer medication or a special diet to help keep his urine acidic. In addition, have your veterinarian perform periodic urine tests on Kitty. These tests keep you and your veterinarian alert to the urine's acidity level and to the presence of an infection or crystal formations.

Urethral obstruction can rapidly become life-threatening over the course of just one to two days. Because of this, any cat frequenting or straining in the litterbox should seek veterinary attention at once.