Hi all

Looking for some insight. A couple days ago I noticed ourv1.5 year old Persian going to the washroom but nothing coming out.... He tried a few times and nothing. Off to the vet he went. Vet said its a urethral blockage due to stervite crystals or something like that, and that he needs a diet change.... I had him on Wellness core for dry and also Wellness chicken and turkey for wet. I'm a bit shocked this happened since he eats wet food and lots of water! Anyway, catherer went in and unblocked him. X-ray also showed no stones, so that's good. They gave him some fluids and sent him home within a few hours.


Now here's my question..., he's going to urinate so often now. Is this normal? Is it because of the irritation and inflammation from the catherer? Hes not really drinking much, so I'm assuming he's urinating the IV stuff given to him? I'm glad he'd urinating because it'll help him and it shows no block now, but he's going once every 20mins or so, with a decent amount of urine coming out. He'd also licking his private part a good amount... But he's not clogged.

Ideas? I called the vet that said so long as he's going to wee, it's all good....

most likely the sub q fluids. i would think it would settle down to normal fairly quickly. Good for you for catching his crystals so quickly. It is very painful for them.

Hi Atish!

Last year one of my boys had a similar issue...but our process was much more drawn out and ended in surgery to alter him from a boy to a girl so he could potty.

I'm suspecting two things. I think that yes it is the fluids the vet gave him but I also believe he might have an infection that is making him feel he has to pee all the time. Keep a close eye on him because I worry that he could block again.

Maury and all my cats are on a good diet, Maury had no crystals or stones at all...we did many urinary tests and nothing but bacteria showed up. Eventually his urithra became scared and closed which is why we had to do the surgery.

Maury is doing fine now...but we did have several moments after surgery where he would frequently potty...but it eventually stopped. Did your vet put your boy on an antibiotic?

No antibiotic... Vet said an infection would be unusual for his age of 1.5 years old. We're waiting on the urinalysis though... I guess it's also possible he got an infection from the catherer itself which won't show on the urinalysis (since it was done at the same time).

He does have some pain meds and his new diet food, which he'd not in love with.

But in terms of blockage, his constant urinating is a good sign, yes?

His pH level was 9. Vet said she wants it down to a 6

Hello Atish,

I agree with the opinions of the friends, he may have an infection in the urinary ways and since he only got fluids and no antibiotic to clean up the infection, it may hurt him when he goes to pee, and so he does little bits at one time.

Please watch him and maybe take a urine sample if you can (line litterebox with plastic only, no litter) and pick up with syringe, have this checked for bacteria then if his behaviour continues.

He is still very young and if he shows this condition at an early age you may need to change his food. There are special foods to prevent the build up of stones and another possibility is to sprinkle some cranberry extract over his regular food.

Hope this helps,

Birgit

Maury was born July 29, 2009 and got sick on me June 5, 2011...so he was not even 2 himself and chances are something was going on with him in advance of my actually realizing there was a problem. Regardless, when Maury was sent home he was given antibiotics before the results of the urinalysis were back...which was good because due to storms it took almost 2 weeks to get those results. Amy put him on Clavamox and when the tests came back we changed it to Baytril.

Infection is very possible with a blockage.

It is VERY good he is urinating but the frequency would concern me especially if he continues...but I strongly believe he could easily reblock especially if he does have an infection that is not treated. I don't mean to sound so pushy...but I know how quickly Maury went down hill and I almost lost him as a result and he never had stones, crystals or the like...just bacteria that eventualy scared him bad enough that surgery was our only option. My best suggestion is to watch him closely and I would even ask my vet if they could supply me with Clavamox until the results of the urinalysis are back.

Thank you for the wise words
I called the vet and spoke to secretary who appears pretty knowledgable. She said its unlikely he would show signs of a uti if it was as a result of the catherer (his frequent urination started within hours after he was unclogged). She said its possible he may have had a uti, so wait on the urinalysis. Should be back later today.

She did mention that the catherer probably irritated him and might be the reason why he's making the trips to the potty, because he's getting a bit out and stopping due to pain (although he doesn't look in pain at all).

At least you wont have to wait much longer Atish! Sounds like you will have some answers today. Hopefully he is all clear! Please keep us posted....boys that block are so scary! I know first hand and I haven't had one block on me in many years. Let alone be as serious a situation as what Maury's was. I'm grateful to still have him with us and my vet just adores him...he was in and out of the vet office on various hospital stays for his blockage for nearly a month...the first trip was 3 solid weeks...they got to know him very well!

Blockage is nothing to be dismissed that is for sure! I almost lost my Spencer due to a blockage. He went pee out of the box (very unlike him) and there was blood in it. I took him to the vets. She said he had crystals and an infection. She didn't change his food (even though I inquired about it)-was told it wasn't needed. This was not my regular vet by the way. A week later I came home to Spencer hiding under the bed, unable to go at all!! I took him back and he was admitted. I shiver to think what kind of pain he was in before I got home! If I had been late getting home I could have lost him, he was that bad off. A cat with urinary issues should be eating only wet food as cats do not drink enough to stay hydrated. I also would not use anything to change the urine PH (like cranberry) unless the vet suggests it. You could cause a back lash effect of calcium oxalate crystals instead of the struvite crystals. Struvite are the easiest to treat.

yes, I was going to ask about cranberry extract... the vet didnt say anything at all about it. I dont even know if human grade extract is good enough, or does it have to be a "cat" type? Im not really one for going out and trying things that arent recommended by the vet...


Hes eating the Hills S/D right now which I guess is supposed to help him... But hes having no issues going to the washroom right now.

Hes just going a lot more than usual now.... too much of a good thing?
I hope this was 1 time thing, but the food should take care of that hopefully!

He is spending a lot of time under the bed, but hes going to the washroom fine... I think the catherer may have just been traumatizing for him. Its only been 24 hours, so keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well.

I think a blood test for kidney function is needed also. Poor lil guy doesnt deserve this... still just a baby