Urgent blocked male cat dilemma, please help

fionasmom

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
13,125
Purraise
17,354
Location
Los Angeles
Phosphorus and magnesium are usually the culprits and the severity of an issue with fish flavored/based food can vary from cat to cat. However, he has to eat, so if he were to go on a hunger strike holding out for his fish flavored food, feed it to him and then try to transition as best you can. Personally, I would try to limit or avoid fish in his case as it is generally accepted that it can, at least, be a player in causing the problems.
 

Xena44

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 5, 2021
Messages
399
Purraise
489
Interesting... I don't know what on earth is up with my cat! It's not like he didn't know how to use litter for the past few months, you know? It's weird that he just mid way decided that he would not pee and would rather die if it wasn't in grass.
Cats! *face palm* 😻
 

Xena44

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 5, 2021
Messages
399
Purraise
489
He shouldn't be as frantic to get outdoors after he is neutered but some cats do like to go out every now and then, especially if they got into the habit of doing so. However, It will more than likely become a thing of the past with him.
I personally would love it if my cats would walk on a harness and take their business outside. ;)
I had a kitty that would go out in the yard with my 2 little pups and do his business. I loved it. And honestly, it was cute as heck.
 

Xena44

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 5, 2021
Messages
399
Purraise
489
Absolutely! I am going to make a proper post somewhere so that others who are in my situation might have one extra option to look into in the future. What do you mean by memories of the pain? I’m very curious! Ah I switched to chicken for a bit but gave him some of his favourite tuna anchovy canned food last night because I thought we’d cracked the code! I only read that they may be a little higher in phosphorous levels, which could be a problem if there’s a physical obstruction... is there more to it than that?

He’s still on the cranberry and corn silk supplement but I will look into the marshmallow root and slippery elm just as a precaution!
I think what she meant
I am so thrilled for both you and your kitty cat! He has been in my thoughts and prayers all week.
You can buy cat grass and keep it inside too. I am glad to hear that he is harnessed trained and I would keep it that way.
did you use tincture? And how did you dispense it?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #85

Fizzle52

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Messages
43
Purraise
49
Hey everyone... our kitty was struggling to pee again tonight, even when we brought him outside. He kept going from grass patch to grass patch, trying to pee, sometimes streaming for a bit successfully, sometimes just a few drops. We were out there for an hour or two, and he peed a little by himself and I managed to help him express some of his bladder manually, but since I can still find it, I know it's not completely emptied out, even though it's quite small and soft. He's out of the woods for tonight at least. What was heartbreaking was him bounding around in the grass, sniffing everything, and eventually finding a crook in the foot of a big tree with some tall grass where he nestled into and lay down, looking safe and content and ready to rest. I think it's clear that he doesn't have a structural blockage, and there must be something that's affecting him somewhere, maybe the space, maybe the dog, maybe just not having access to nature.

We brought him back up for tonight, but tomorrow the plan is to go get an Apple Airtag (sigh, we just can't bear to fully let go), pop it onto his collar (or harness? What would be safer, any suggestions?), and let him go free. I'll check on him constantly so I can know if his bladder is full or not, but my feel is that he's going to be happier and more at peace on his own, outside, and will probably be able to pee like he did the last two times. I hope he doesn't get into fights since he's now neutered. We'll feed him as long as he wants to be fed by us, and I hope we'll see him often, whenever we go in and out of our building. Makes me so sad just thinking about it, but I just feel like it's the right thing to do. Thanks for all your help and emotional support everyone :(
 

fionasmom

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
13,125
Purraise
17,354
Location
Los Angeles
Given that he did not pee normally outside does lead me to think that there is still something else going on physically even if it is intermittent. If everything seemed 100% outside, that would be different but it was not. I do see your point in what you are doing and he is now neutered at least but it would make me uneasy if it were my cat. I don't have experience with Apple Airtags but do think that it is really good that you want to track him. If this works, you can at least keep tabs on him and might be able to figure out if something seems wrong. If you don't get any specific answers to Apple Airtags or other kinds of tracking devices, you can start another thread under Behavior or General Cat Care and people will reply. I am not familiar with any tracking device for that matter, so can't advise.
 

jefferd18

Ms. Jeff's Legacy
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
2,269
Purraise
2,067
Interesting... I don't know what on earth is up with my cat! It's not like he didn't know how to use litter for the past few months, you know? It's weird that he just mid way decided that he would not pee and would rather die if it wasn't in grass.
IStress makes our bodies do things that
Hey everyone... our kitty was struggling to pee again tonight, even when we brought him outside. He kept going from grass patch to grass patch, trying to pee, sometimes streaming for a bit successfully, sometimes just a few drops. We were out there for an hour or two, and he peed a little by himself and I managed to help him express some of his bladder manually, but since I can still find it, I know it's not completely emptied out, even though it's quite small and soft. He's out of the woods for tonight at least. What was heartbreaking was him bounding around in the grass, sniffing everything, and eventually finding a crook in the foot of a big tree with some tall grass where he nestled into and lay down, looking safe and content and ready to rest. I think it's clear that he doesn't have a structural blockage, and there must be something that's affecting him somewhere, maybe the space, maybe the dog, maybe just not having access to nature.

We brought him back up for tonight, but tomorrow the plan is to go get an Apple Airtag (sigh, we just can't bear to fully let go), pop it onto his collar (or harness? What would be safer, any suggestions?), and let him go free. I'll check on him constantly so I can know if his bladder is full or not, but my feel is that he's going to be happier and more at peace on his own, outside, and will probably be able to pee like he did the last two times. I hope he doesn't get into fights since he's now neutered. We'll feed him as long as he wants to be fed by us, and I hope we'll see him often, whenever we go in and out of our building. Makes me so sad just thinking about it, but I just feel like it's the right thing to do. Thanks for all your help and emotional support everyone :(

I just don't think that his stress level and being blocked has anything to do with his living situation. Cats are hardy little animals and have successfully navigated all kinds of living conditions through the centuries. They were primarily outdoor creatures until the middle of the last century when people started to leave the country and flock to the city.


I agree with fionasmom fionasmom , I think more exams may be due. That, and time. His behavior won't change overnight. It will take awhile for his brain to calm down.
 
Last edited:

tnl

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
128
Purraise
288
Location
Southeastern Wisconsin
You might want to try Cosequin for cats althoughit does take a while to see the benefits....
"Many veterinarians also recommend Cosequin to help support urinary bladder health. The inner lining of the bladder wall is protected by a layer, which contains some of the same compounds as are found in cartilage. This layer prevents urine and the waste products contained within it from seeping into and damaging the lining. Since the low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate found in Cosequin is available to more than just cartilage cells, the bladder may use it to help support this protective layer. Cosequin is recommended for cats with recurring urinary bladder infections (cystitis, Feline Urologic Syndrome, Urinary Tract Infection) to be given indefinitely as a means to prevent it's recurrence."
Cosequin For Cats | Joint & Urinary Bladder Support | Medi-Vet

I don't think he will survive if you release him. He needs help and observation.

Edit: I forgot to mention you can get Cosequin from Walmart, Amazon or just about any pet store.
 

Xena44

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 5, 2021
Messages
399
Purraise
489
I'm with the other posters here. I’m really concerned that he will end up in distress and suffer. I really am. There is a product I wish you would consider. Please read the reviews. It’s pretty good stuff. My kitty has a pretty sensitive bladder and will inappropriately urinate. He started again and I put him on this. he’s been getting it 2x daily for 3 days and I can tell by his energy and Behavior he feels better. I know you really have given a ton to this furry guy but just a little more time for his safety and health. And it will take about 3-4 weeks for the hormones to become a non issue. He will still have the urge to fight and he will attract others with their little “gems” to fight with him too. My concern with a harness or anything other than a breakaway collar is that if he gets stuck on something, he will not be able to get loose. I’ve seen it before where a cat gets the collar in their mouth and it really cuts their face or they get stuck on something and they cannot get free. Please give him more time. And seriously, I know you’re probably at wit’s end. I get it. I feel there are untried avenues before your last resort. ❤
Urinary Gold - for Feline Urinary Tract Health
 

maggie101

3 cats
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
7,883
Purraise
9,880
Location
Houston,TX
We took in a 1.5 year old un-neutered male stray cat 4 months ago and he started getting blocked a month ago. We rushed him to the vet where he was catheterised and hospitalised and after all the blood work and scans, there was no clear cause, no stones, no crystals, nothing. Ever since then he hasn't been able to pee normally and at best, pees small amounts into the litter box, at worst, strains with nothing coming out until he needs to be manually expressed, and failing that, rushed. Yesterday I had trouble manually expressing his bladder and he started vomiting, so I brought him back to the vet and he is now catheterised and hospitalised. We're racking up over $5,000 in bills and can no longer afford it if there's not guarantee that he won't be reblocked.

The vets keep recommending PU surgery, but it's expensive, seems poorly studied and the complications look plenty, and the last thing I want to do is further lower his quality of life. We live in a small apartment on the second floor with no way for him to leave the house, and I get the sense that he's bothered about not being able to roam. When we open the door, he often wants to come poking out, and we'll let him walk around the corridor, but he'll come back after a few minutes. I wonder if he's better off released to roam on the streets, rather than cooped up in this apartment. He's an easygoing cat and loves being petted, but I wonder if he's just so mild that we can't tell his unhappiness from being in the house. For the first 3 months he was often left alone at home for most of the day with our dog, but he always seemed fine, no issues. The only change I can think that happened recently was me and my partner working from home a lot more starting last month. Could that have made him stressed out and blocked for some reason?

When he gets discharged, we're considering letting him stay a few days to recover but then releasing him soon after because we're just afraid that being in the house again will cause him to be stressed and reblock just like the last time, and this time we won't be able to afford the crazy bills. Of course we're thinking of trying more things like getting him a better cat condo, a running water source, more cystisis supplements (he's already on an all-wet diet and drinks a decent amount of water) but I can't risk these things not working and him getting reblocked.

If we do let him go immediately after he's been treated, he will remain un-neutered, which isn't ideal. The vet said he shouldn't undergo the neutering in his weak state right now either. I don't want to let him go, but I can't help but think that I'm inflicting more pain on him by keeping him... what should I do?
Very late responder so I haven't read threw everything. Anyways, my cat was recently diagnosed with having struitive crystals from uti probably caused by stress so letting theecat roam outside can cause a wide variety of stress. She had an xray. The radiograph showed a possible obstruction and starting of more extensive urinary problems. She is on Prescription food. Occasionally she has inflammation, very painful. The vet suggested an ultrasound or surgery if the food does not devolve the crystals. Water is very important so being left outside is not good. It sounds like your cat should have surgery with a specialist though it would be very expensive. Radiographic x ray first. I have numerous water bowls,fountain that you can hear water fall,ice cubes in bowls from tuna water or refregerated. If not treated it can be fatal
 
Last edited:

maggie101

3 cats
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
7,883
Purraise
9,880
Location
Houston,TX
I'm with the other posters here. I’m really concerned that he will end up in distress and suffer. I really am. There is a product I wish you would consider. Please read the reviews. It’s pretty good stuff. My kitty has a pretty sensitive bladder and will inappropriately urinate. He started again and I put him on this. he’s been getting it 2x daily for 3 days and I can tell by his energy and Behavior he feels better. I know you really have given a ton to this furry guy but just a little more time for his safety and health. And it will take about 3-4 weeks for the hormones to become a non issue. He will still have the urge to fight and he will attract others with their little “gems” to fight with him too. My concern with a harness or anything other than a breakaway collar is that if he gets stuck on something, he will not be able to get loose. I’ve seen it before where a cat gets the collar in their mouth and it really cuts their face or they get stuck on something and they cannot get free. Please give him more time. And seriously, I know you’re probably at wit’s end. I get it. I feel there are untried avenues before your last resort. ❤
Urinary Gold - for Feline Urinary Tract Health
Ha! I was just reading about that,wondering if it was any good
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #94

Fizzle52

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Messages
43
Purraise
49
Yeah... I couldn't do it. I just brought him outside and when his bladder was full, of course I couldn't just leave him like that, so I kept plopping him onto different grass patches and watched him pee intermittent streams at some and strain drops at others. Two days in a row while out on our walk I even managed to get a small but steady stream for a minute or so by manually expressing his bladder, but after the initial success, he squirms out of my hands and then trying to express again doesn't work anymore because he tenses up on me and just won't let it flow, even though I can feel that his bladder still holds urine. Overnight he pees quite a good amount in the litter, then in the day it's little drops and his bladder goes hard again, and then we bring him out, hoping and praying that he can pee some more into the grass. And the cycle repeats (or at least it has for 2 days). I'd be fine if this was just what we had to do daily, but every single day we're on our toes wondering what's going to happen and if it's still going to work. Yesterday when I carried him down the elevator (he's scared of it, but it's our only way down and outside, so we have to hold him like a baby), he started dripping pee all over the floor. Like... what is going on, can he pee or can he not?! And no vet has the answer. :(

I'm so sure that it's not a physical obstruction because (well first all scans show none, and both times at the vet during catheterisation they said there was no actual obstruction, just insane urethral spasming, and) now he is definitely not obstructed and able to pee streams but only sometimes, and then other times he strains. So structurally, he is able to pee. None of the meds (2 muscle relaxants, 1 anti inflammatory, 1 pain relief, 1 anti-stress, plus Uromaxx and Cystease) have made any sort of difference this whole month, granted we only just started the Cystease 3 days ago. I'm certain it's functional somehow, and psychologically influenced, or whatever other factor that is causing a urethral spasm. I just don't know what on earth it is that's the variable and how to change it. The plan now is to hope and pray that this routine works (bringing him downstairs for a walk each day) for long enough for the hormonal changes of being neutered to kick in, and then hopefully he goes back to normal and stops feeling what we hope was hormonally-induced stress. But we just have no idea. And I don't know what to do if any day now he can't pee again and we have to bring him in and he needs to get catheterised and cause even more trauma to his penis and cause even more stress etc etc etc.

I keep ordering supplements and hoping they work, but they take weeks to be delivered where I live and it just seems like a never ending cycle of not knowing. He's such a confusing cat too - always wanting to go outside, and then being so easily spooked by cars and people and noises (which freaks him out and then he won't pee), but then going off and relaxing happily in the crook of a tree as if he was always meant to be an outside cat... just tell me what you want already so I can make your life better! Sigh.
 

fionasmom

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
13,125
Purraise
17,354
Location
Los Angeles
I can see you point in believing it is spasms. Is there some newer medication which is out there which might help? I was just googling that but was not sure what you have given him, although I certainly understand it is a lot of various meds and supplements.

Painful Bladder Syndrome in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
Anti-Spasmodic Therapy for Cats with Urethral Spasm and Obstruction - Peachtree Pharmacy

Just ignore the above if you have already read them; I don't know if they bring anything to the table or not.
 

tnl

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
128
Purraise
288
Location
Southeastern Wisconsin
An interesting article for you, especially this part (towards the bottom of the page)....

"It is very troubling to witness the very common practice of ‘shotgun’ treating these patients with antibiotics when most of these cases are sterile (sterile = no infection) cystitis.

It is also very frustrating to see these poor cats leaving the veterinary clinic with no pain medication!

To repeat: We know that stress plays an important role in the cause of cystitis. Can you think of anything more stressful than pain?

See the vicious cycle? Stress can cause cystitis. Cystitis is painful. Pain is very stressful."

Cat Urinary Tract Diseases: Cystitis, Urethral Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #97

Fizzle52

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Messages
43
Purraise
49
An interesting article for you, especially this part (towards the bottom of the page)....

"It is very troubling to witness the very common practice of ‘shotgun’ treating these patients with antibiotics when most of these cases are sterile (sterile = no infection) cystitis.

It is also very frustrating to see these poor cats leaving the veterinary clinic with no pain medication!

To repeat: We know that stress plays an important role in the cause of cystitis. Can you think of anything more stressful than pain?

See the vicious cycle? Stress can cause cystitis. Cystitis is painful. Pain is very stressful."

Cat Urinary Tract Diseases: Cystitis, Urethral Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection
Thank you! I’ve come across her page before and read her website from top to toe and find a lot of what she says very insightful and helpful. Sadly she doesn’t seem to be taking consults anymore.
 
  • Purraise
Reactions: tnl
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #98

Fizzle52

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Messages
43
Purraise
49
I can see you point in believing it is spasms. Is there some newer medication which is out there which might help? I was just googling that but was not sure what you have given him, although I certainly understand it is a lot of various meds and supplements.

Painful Bladder Syndrome in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
Anti-Spasmodic Therapy for Cats with Urethral Spasm and Obstruction - Peachtree Pharmacy

Just ignore the above if you have already read them; I don't know if they bring anything to the table or not.
I appreciate the resources nonetheless, thank you so much! I think I've panic-read just about every study and journal and tidbitty info site on FIC on the first 10 pages of Google results, hahaha... he was on 1 anti-inflammatory (meloxicam, or metacam, around which there is some controversy on kidney function), 1 pain medication (buprenorphine), 3 muscle-relaxants (prazosin, diazepam or valium, gabapentin), and 1 calming (zylkene). I've spammed all of this for a month now and none of them has seemed to have any effect on him. He did show some improvement last night though – this morning I found an egg-sized clump in the litter, amongst lots of other smaller ones. It was huge for his standards, the biggest ever since this ordeal! He's also not grooming the area so often anymore, and his bladder is fine and not enlarged. But he's still going to the litter pretty often, and once or twice peeing in inappropriate places, like the floor. I mean I'm glad he can pee, but that definitely is an indicator of something wrong, right?

He's been on the Feliway Cystease capsules for 4 days now, and we've stopped all his meds. Cut fish from his diet, adding lots and lots of water, and constantly researching new litter options beyond the current Cat's Best wood litter, now knowing that the soil and grass downstairs seems to encourage peeing somewhat. Sadly the Urinary Gold costs $120 USD including shipping to Asia (where I live), and will take 3 weeks, so I haven't leapt on that yet. But I'll definitely keep it in mind. I do have some dried marshmallow root and cat grass coming and well, we live to fight another day.
 

fionasmom

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
13,125
Purraise
17,354
Location
Los Angeles
This does sound like an improvement from what you have been facing. There are some wins definitely, but going to the litter box frequently might still indicate a problem. Peeing on the floor could as well unless in his ordeal he has become used to seeing that as an acceptable spot which is why he returns there. I wonder if someone near you like a vet or holistic practitioner could help you source and determine amounts for the ingredients in Urinary Gold.
 

jefferd18

Ms. Jeff's Legacy
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
2,269
Purraise
2,067
Yeah... I couldn't do it. I just brought him outside and when his bladder was full, of course I couldn't just leave him like that, so I kept plopping him onto different grass patches and watched him pee intermittent streams at some and strain drops at others. Two days in a row while out on our walk I even managed to get a small but steady stream for a minute or so by manually expressing his bladder, but after the initial success, he squirms out of my hands and then trying to express again doesn't work anymore because he tenses up on me and just won't let it flow, even though I can feel that his bladder still holds urine. Overnight he pees quite a good amount in the litter, then in the day it's little drops and his bladder goes hard again, and then we bring him out, hoping and praying that he can pee some more into the grass. And the cycle repeats (or at least it has for 2 days). I'd be fine if this was just what we had to do daily, but every single day we're on our toes wondering what's going to happen and if it's still going to work. Yesterday when I carried him down the elevator (he's scared of it, but it's our only way down and outside, so we have to hold him like a baby), he started dripping pee all over the floor. Like... what is going on, can he pee or can he not?! And no vet has the answer. :(

I'm so sure that it's not a physical obstruction because (well first all scans show none, and both times at the vet during catheterisation they said there was no actual obstruction, just insane urethral spasming, and) now he is definitely not obstructed and able to pee streams but only sometimes, and then other times he strains. So structurally, he is able to pee. None of the meds (2 muscle relaxants, 1 anti inflammatory, 1 pain relief, 1 anti-stress, plus Uromaxx and Cystease) have made any sort of difference this whole month, granted we only just started the Cystease 3 days ago. I'm certain it's functional somehow, and psychologically influenced, or whatever other factor that is causing a urethral spasm. I just don't know what on earth it is that's the variable and how to change it. The plan now is to hope and pray that this routine works (bringing him downstairs for a walk each day) for long enough for the hormonal changes of being neutered to kick in, and then hopefully he goes back to normal and stops feeling what we hope was hormonally-induced stress. But we just have no idea. And I don't know what to do if any day now he can't pee again and we have to bring him in and he needs to get catheterised and cause even more trauma to his penis and cause even more stress etc etc etc.

I keep ordering supplements and hoping they work, but they take weeks to be delivered where I live and it just seems like a never ending cycle of not knowing. He's such a confusing cat too - always wanting to go outside, and then being so easily spooked by cars and people and noises (which freaks him out and then he won't pee), but then going off and relaxing happily in the crook of a tree as if he was always meant to be an outside cat... just tell me what you want already so I can make your life better! Sigh.

Anti-inflammatory, pain meds and meds that relax the urethra are his best friends right now. I don't know if there is anything physical that is causing the blockage, only a vet can tell you that. but I do know that he can cause himself to be blocked. If he is experiencing the slightest pain or the slightest discomfort down there then it makes sense that he tries to hold it in.
It is a vicious cycle right now, the more he strains the more pain and inflammation he creates, which then of course causes him to strain even more.
 
Last edited:
Top