A cat can't pee how to help

No matter what exactly the cause of this problem in a cat, you should always remember that emptying the bladder is a natural process. If he is suddenly can not go a long time to the toilet.Then the body will begin to poison the products of the decay of urine. All this will lead to unfortunate consequences and intense suffering of the cat. This problem will not go away on its own, so you should definitely consult a doctor.

Cat can't pee [step by step what to do and prevention]

Step-by-step instructions on what to do if a cat can't pee. Clear symptoms of impending illness. How to prevent the development of the disease. Proper prevention and care.

Bladder of a healthy adult cat must be emptied at least once a day. In some cases: moving, change of food, low activity of the animal, delayed urination for up to two days is possible. If a cat can't pee for more than two days or screams when he tries to pee, he needs to see a veterinarian right away.

What you can do urgently before the vet examines the cat

If there is no possibility of getting the cat to the vet quickly, the first aid should be given by the owners at home.

First aid is as follows: a warming compress or heating pad should be placed on the abdomen and perineum area. The heating pad and compress should be warm, but not hot! You can put the animal in a bath with warm water, making sure that the water does not reach the heart area.

Do not massage the cat's stomach, this can cause serious complications.

Make sure that the cat drinks enough water and if it refuses to drink, force-feed it from an eyedropper with clean water. Add some chicken stock to his food to increase his fluid intake. Play a little with your pet – it will activate all body systems. Play carefully so that the pet is not overworked.

How to tell if a cat has trouble urinating

If a cat can't pee, it will be hard not to notice because it moans loudly, meows, and screams in a voice that is not its own. When she does manage to pee, she produces very little urine. The pet can go to its litter box, stomp around it, press against it. It is as if he is hesitant to go into it, in fact, the cat is trying to help himself to pee this way. He does not allow himself to touch his swollen, like a drum, belly, which is very painful. The pet cannot lie on his tummy. Sometimes there are traces of pus or blood in the tray.

Many whisker owners wonder why there are problems with urination? The pet rarely goes to the bathroom for several reasons:

• Insufficient fluid intake can cause low urine output. A small amount of urine contains a high concentration of salts, which later form stones.
• A hereditary factor. If a cat in his family had such diseases, he has a greater chance of having problems with urination than those animals whose heredity is not burdened with such issues.
• Physiological characteristics. There are cases when a kitten is born with obstruction of the urinary tract. This issue is resolved only by surgery.
• Improperly organized cat nutrition can lead to severe urinary diversion. Excessive consumption of raw meat and fish, salty and mineral products can provoke this problem.
• A cat may rarely go to the bathroom if it is overweight. As a rule, such pets have a sedentary lifestyle, which can cause poor urine flow.
• This reaction occurs after a stressful experience. It can be a sudden move, a change of owner, a trip on public transport.

There is an opinion that cats eating dry food are more likely to develop urolithiasis. However, this is a misconception, on the contrary, dry food is a more balanced source, the main thing is that the cat should always have fresh water available.

What can be done to alleviate the cat's condition?

Of course, when the cat can not urinate, it is necessary to take the cat to the veterinarian urgently, but if this is not possible, you can put a heating pad on the crotch and abdomen.

On no account should the cat's tummy be massaged, these actions can only worsen the condition of the pet.

The first and urgent help is to place a catheter for urine diversion. This is not an easy and rather painful procedure, and it should only be performed by a qualified specialist, and it is not uncommon to have the catheter placed under general anesthesia. During catheterization the bladder is flushed with antiseptics. Frequent catheterization is not allowed, because this procedure leads to edema of the urinary ducts, and as a consequence, the cat cannot urinate. Then the veterinarian will determine the cause of this condition and prescribe treatment.

Diagnosis

After the emergency measures, the cat must undergo the necessary diagnostic procedures to identify the exact diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. Usually, a urine sample is taken from the animal and an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, kidneys and bladder is performed.

Acute urinary retention in cats

The development of the pathological process takes place with a pronounced clinical picture. An attentive owner will immediately notice changes in the general condition of his pet. Characteristic symptoms of acute urinary retention are:

• frequent urges to urination, but not productive at all;
• Urine excretion in small portions (a few drops), accompanied by the presence of bloody streaks and mucus in the urine;
• Significant increase in the volume of the abdomen, accompanied by tension and painful sensations;
• Unnatural posture of the animal during the urge to urinate;
• painful sensations, cries of the cat while going to the litter box;
• constant attention to the perineum (frequent licking).

As the pathological process progresses, the situation worsens and the clinical picture becomes more pronounced. The cat loses its appetite, looks depressed, and nausea and gastric contents are noted. When urinary retention syndrome develops against the background of the pathological state of the renal structures, there are signs of dehydration and exhaustion of the body, polydipsia.

The appearance of the first characteristic signs of urinary retention in a pet is a signal to immediately go to the veterinary clinic for help. This will prevent the increased accumulation of nitrogenous substances in the body, as well as avoid the development of kidney failure. Without adequate care, the cat will die within 2-3 days.

Diagnosis and treatment

The main thing a veterinarian does when an animal with acute urinary retention syndrome arrives is to restore the outflow of urine and eliminate the blockage of the urethral canal. Next, diagnostics is carried out to determine the cause that provoked the development of the pathology. The following examinations are prescribed:

Catheterization is performed to restore the outflow of urine when the bladder is full. This is a painful procedure, so the animal is sedated or anesthetized. The catheter is left in place for a few days and then removed. In cases where placing a urinary catheter is difficult or impossible, an urgent surgical intervention – urethrostomy – is performed. During the operation the urethral canal is removed into the perineum.

Due to the fact that most often patients come to the veterinarian in severe conditions, appropriate therapy is prescribed. To eliminate dehydration of the body and withdraw toxic substances from the bloodstream, drips with saline solutions, saline solution or glucose are prescribed. Urinary retention in cats may be partial, but this condition is no less dangerous and requires treatment, as does the acute form of complete retention of urine output.

The condition of an animal due to urinary retention longer than 2 days is particularly dangerous. Such animals must be treated in the hospital of the clinic. Under the close supervision of specialists, the cat is prescribed treatment, which includes placing a catheter for urine diversion, infusion therapy, and the administration of antibacterial drugs.

An indispensable part of treatment is the administration of medications that reduce inflammation from the affected urethra. Pain relieving medications are also necessary. To prevent the development of pathogenic bacterial microflora on the mucous membranes of the damaged urethral canal, a course of antibiotics is prescribed.

The main signs of the appearance of the disease

A cat with such ailments begins to fuss, behave very strangely, meow. In addition, he will constantly twist around the litter box, and during a trip to the toilet, the pet presses against the edge of the box to help the bladder to empty. If the cat has trouble urinating normally, she experiences burning and painful sensations. However, only a specialist can find out what caused the painful voiding.

There is an opinion that cats sterilized as children are the most prone to urolithiasis. Moreover, if the pet at the same time still has a problem with his kidneysThen he may not have a urge to urinate at all. In some situations, even veterinarians find it difficult to determine the early symptoms of kidney stones or pet sand formation.

Self-diagnosis

When there are suspicions of problems with the urinary system in a beloved pet, first aid should be provided. If a cat has stopped going to the toilet and there is no possibility to visit the veterinary clinic, then you should examine the pet yourself, To find out how full the bladder is. To do this, the fluffy pet should be placed on its paws and held with two hands. After that you should gently probe the bladder on a line that is perpendicular to the testes. If there is severe inflammation, the cat will not let you do this, you need to take him to the clinic immediately.

If it was possible to examine the bladder, then assess its size, and pay attention to how dense it is. In a normal condition, this organ is the size of a walnut and soft to the touch. An enlarged and hard bladder indicates serious problems, so do not waste precious time, it is better to show the pet to the doctor. To alleviate the condition of the furry pet, you can also put a heating pad on the abdomen and crotch.

What to do

If it is noticed that the cat began to pee less often, you need to pay attention to his behavior and to the urine itself: it should not contain foreign inclusions – blood, mucus, stones, etc. These impurities, along with infrequent visits to the toilet, indicate a serious disorder, which is why the owner needs to take action as soon as possible.

The only thing to do in such a situation is to go to the veterinarian who will prescribe the appropriate treatment (antispasmodics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, catheter for artificial urine diversion or, in extreme cases, surgery).

Until the time the cat gets to the appointment, you can put a warm heating pad on his belly and perineum. This may help the cat to pee. But in no case you should not massage the stomach! Such actions will only increase the pain and will not do any good.

Any cat can fall ill and stop peeing completely, whether it's neutered or not. The special risk group includes "elderly" cats older than 10 years. They need even more care, regular checkups at the veterinarian and home monitoring.

Prophylaxis is equally important for all cats, so that the problem of a pet not being able to pee properly should not arise. Adhering to these measures is essential to the health of the animal.

Preventive measures

All measures that will help prevent failure to pee are strictly necessary:

• Avoid overeating;
• Feed special dry food created for the diet of cats with urinary problems;
• prevent the cat from overcooling (do not let it walk outside for too long and do not let it sleep on the cold floor)
• Maintain a proper diet and nutrition;
• Always provide access to clean water;
• keep the litter box clean (even a healthy cat won't go to the filthy litter box, not to mention a sick one, plus there's a good chance you can catch an infection from the dirt);
• Vaccinate your cat in time.

No less important is the owner's attention to his cat's condition. Real care will help to see the signs of the beginning of problems before you have to treat the cat's kidneys, which if the situation drags on will not be able to go to the bathroom normally.

Degrees of severity

In terms of severity, urinary retention in a cat can be chronic or acute. In the first case, the disorder is accompanied by a succession of remissions and relapses with a gradual reduction in the duration of the rest period. Here there is time for reflection, since some of the fluid is still excreted.

In acute pathology, there is a rapid increase in symptoms and complete cessation of urination. The animal requires urgent hospitalization to pump out the accumulated urine.

First aid: what to do if the cat can't pee?

Veterinarians recommend not self-treatment and immediately seek help. Otherwise, there is a risk of worsening the condition due to the incorrect selection of the drug and its dosage.

First aid can be administered only if you cannot get the cat to a vet clinic in the near future. But even in this case you should contact the doctor at least by phone to get detailed instructions from him.

Permissible actions

If you do not have enough experience in palpation and massage, it is better to abandon these actions. Too much squeezing is fraught with mucosal trauma and even bladder rupture.

A cat that shows signs of thirst can be given some water from an eyedropper or a light chicken broth. But it is not necessary to force water. With renal failure, this will increase swelling and put additional strain on the overfilled organ.

Soft words and not too active games can temporarily improve the condition. They will help distract you and relieve the accompanying symptoms.

An antispasmodic or pain reliever can be given on the doctor's recommendation. These will help relieve urethral spasm and pain.

Prohibited actions

If the cat has trouble urinating, do not use warming compresses under any circumstances. With intoxication, additional heat will only accelerate the spread of infection.

It is also forbidden to give medications without first consulting. Antispasmodics increase bleeding, and diuretics increase the volume of internal fluid. To prescribe them, you need to know the exact or at least presumptive diagnosis made by the veterinarian.

A cat can't urinate: symptoms

To find out why a cat can't pee, and what to do at home, you need to determine the exact causes of urinary retention. It also happens that cats go to the toilet as usual, but at the same time there are hidden symptoms of certain diseases.

• The cat is sitting in the litter box for a long time and is unable to pee;
• The cat meows miserably or makes other sounds when urinating;
• the cat can't find a place to sit, it squats in different corners of the house;
• there is blood, pus and other secretions in the urine;
• urine has a dark color and unpleasant smell.

Also, the cat cannot urinate, there are always certain consequences. For example, the animal takes on a painful appearance, may lie for long periods and refuse to eat, it ceases to be active. In addition, cats and cats with diseases of the urogenital system may constantly lick their genitals, as well as move in an unusual way, for example, stretch out his paws, or lift or pinch the tail.

A cat can't pee: first aid

If the cat won't urinate for three days or more and the above symptoms are present, you should visit the vet as soon as possible and have tests done. The veterinarian will quickly identify the exact cause of the abnormality and prescribe the best treatment. In severe cases catheterization and surgery may be necessary. The most important thing is to take the necessary measures right on the spot, which should help the animal.

If inflammation is detected, the specialist will prescribe special anti-inflammatory drugs. If the cat or cat has a tendency to relapse, special vitamins will help, which should be given to the animal with food. Useful infusions of herbs such as cranberries, lavender and horsetail are also helpful. The veterinarian will tell you in what dosage to give the pet.
Surgery is not always prescribed in the presence of kidney problems. Doctors may also prescribe a special herbal collection available in pharmacies. In this case, decoctions of bearberry and parsley, as well as black currant will be effective. In just a couple of months of constant use of these natural remedies, the animal will be able to significantly strengthen the urogenital and immune system.

Prevention of diseases of the urogenital system of cats

If you want your pet to always go to the toilet normally, he must be protected against all kinds of diseases by following clear and accessible recommendations. First of all, make sure that the pet has constant access to a bowl of water and that it is changed daily. In addition, you should play outdoor games with your pet every day, which helps with the normal functioning of the entire body. Avoid draughts in the house and make sure that the pet is not on a cold floor for long periods of time.

Cats and cats should get a nutritious diet with enough protein and vitamins. If you have a neutered cat or a spayed cat you should follow special veterinary rules and recommendations for their care. Lastly, and most importantly, always consult your veterinarian if your cat's behavior changes in a strange way, and he starts to feel abruptly ill. Remember, if a cat can't pee, there's only so much the owners can do at home. All basic treatment should be provided exclusively by a qualified veterinarian.

Special diet

After determining the reason why a cat can't pee and providing treatment, a proper choice of ready-made cat food or a change in diet from natural products should be made.

Of the industrial cat foods, preference should be given to holistic cat foods. But the high cost and difficulty in acquiring them sometimes become an obstacle for owners. Therefore, they can be replaced by super premium food.

Important: Sometimes it is difficult for owners to get their pets to switch to holistic foods. This is due to the absence of flavor enhancers and flavorings, which are added to the food of a lower class.

In the case of urolithiasis, the diet of cats who eat natural food must be adjusted depending on the type of stones. This requires a consultation with a veterinary nutritionist or attending physician, who will base his recommendations on laboratory tests.

Type of stones	Allowed foods	Foods prohibited
Phosphates	Rice, buckwheat, oat groats;	whole milk;
Boiled beef and rabbit meat;	Hard and sour-milk cheese;
boiled liver	Fish and seafood
Oxalates	Boiled carrots, cauliflower;	by-products;
Boiled diet meats	fish and seafood;
milk
Urates	Allowed boiled vegetables;	meat and fish broths;
lamb, duck, lean beef	by-products;
lean meat
asparagus;
cauliflower;
legumes

Prevention of urinary retention in cats

Diseases in which a cat cannot pee are incurable and subsequently manifest themselves with relapses. Therefore, to reduce the risk of disease, owners should adhere to certain rules.

• timely vaccination;
• Controlling the intake of sufficient water into the pet's body;
• alternation of dry and wet food in the diet;
• Providing sufficient physical activity;
• minimizing the risk of hypothermia;
• Excluding products prohibited for pets from the natural diet.

Neutered cats should be examined by a veterinarian 1 every six months for early detection of abnormalities.

If the cat walks around the litter box, meows with pity and cannot pee for 24 hours, owners should raise the alarm and contact a veterinarian.

This clinical picture indicates serious diseases of the genitourinary system, and prolonged absence of urination may be fatal.

The owner of the cat should understand that independent treatment at home for urinary retention leads to longer treatment and rehabilitation of the animal, and in severe cases even to the death of the pet.

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