Urinary incontinence after urinary blockage

[CHRISSYPOO]

Hi everyone! First time cat owner here and need some help/advice. My cat, Fifi, is less than 2 and had a nearly fatal urinary blockage. By the time she got to the hospital, she was in shock. They were able to save her after inserting a catheter and flushing her out for 5 days. When her kidney enzymes, creatinine, and potassium were regulated we took her home. They took out the catheter in the hospital and they said she was able to urinate on her own. When we reunited I picked her up and she peed on me and then the tech that was showing me how to administer a medication. I thought it was odd but maybe she was holding it..

Fast forward to when we brought her home. She drank a lot of water and ate some food which was major cuz she was anorexic in the hospital, she went and sniffed the house and went in and out of the litter box examining it a couple times. I cuddled her and she slept on me on the couch and she actually peed on me while asleep. She’s been doing this for the past 18 hours and it’s scaring me more than anything. She’s only used the litter box once.

Is peeing while asleep or relaxing normal after catheter placement? She is on gabapentin so would that be a factor in this situation? Can anyone confirm this happened to their kitty? I’m so nervous. I just want her to get better and the vet bill has already cost us over 10k. Any advice or insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[fionasmom]

Welcome to The Cat Site! Urinary blockages are so rare in females and I am sorry that this happened to you. Age is no guarantee that this will not happen and I have a three year old flame point boy who is on his second strike with blockages and will possibly face surgery the next time.

This thread which is somewhat recent may help with some ideas of what might be going on.
Leaking Urine After Catheterization For Urinary Blockage

I would consider some of the suggestions about a very recent irritation due to the catheter (not anyone's fault, but the nature of using one) needing some time to heal. Prazosin is also mentioned as a medication which might have a hand in this. Gabapentin is technically an anticonvulsant and analgesic which is used to control pain in many pet animals. It makes some cats relaxed enough that they may not be aware of urinating.

An overextended bladder, which is certainly possible with an obstruction, may cause incontinence due to an irritation to the muscle fibers in the bladder wall, but this often corrects itself after a period of time.

A swelling or new obstruction in the same area, which is hopefully very unlikely, could cause dribbling around the obstruction in the same way that constipation can result in fecal incontinence.

Here is the thing though...anyone who has treated a cat, male or female, for a blockage needs to stay on top of any troublesome symptoms and report these to the vet. You are being very vigilant but don't try to diagnose this at home. It may well be a very safe and easily cleared up issue, but stay in touch with your vet. If nothing else, you just paid 10K and for that you deserve support and assistance. A certain amount may or may not be covered in your original payment.

Please let us know what goes on with Fifi.

 

[CHRISSYPOO]

Welcome to The Cat Site! Urinary blockages are so rare in females and I am sorry that this happened to you. Age is no guarantee that this will not happen and I have a three year old flame point boy who is on his second strike with blockages and will possibly face surgery the next time.

This thread which is somewhat recent may help with some ideas of what might be going on.
Leaking Urine After Catheterization For Urinary Blockage

I would consider some of the suggestions about a very recent irritation due to the catheter (not anyone's fault, but the nature of using one) needing some time to heal. Prazosin is also mentioned as a medication which might have a hand in this. Gabapentin is technically an anticonvulsant and analgesic which is used to control pain in many pet animals. It makes some cats relaxed enough that they may not be aware of urinating.

An overextended bladder, which is certainly possible with an obstruction, may cause incontinence due to an irritation to the muscle fibers in the bladder wall, but this often corrects itself after a period of time.

A swelling or new obstruction in the same area, which is hopefully very unlikely, could cause dribbling around the obstruction in the same way that constipation can result in fecal incontinence.

Here is the thing though...anyone who has treated a cat, male or female, for a blockage needs to stay on top of any troublesome symptoms and report these to the vet. You are being very vigilant but don't try to diagnose this at home. It may well be a very safe and easily cleared up issue, but stay in touch with your vet. If nothing else, you just paid 10K and for that you deserve support and assistance. A certain amount may or may not be covered in your original payment.

Please let us know what goes on with Fifi.

Thank you so much for your response and the informative thread. I’m keeping a close eye on anything posted that may relate to Fifi’s ordeal. Called the pet hospital and they took a message so this calmed my anxiety down a bit.

She’s on gabapentin but not prazosin so I’m hoping she’s just too relaxed to notice urination. She’s not even 5 lbs and I believe the dose may be a bit high for her weight as she’s not very active.

I’ll let you know what happens. We do have an appointment scheduled with the vet tomorrow morning, but hoping they reach out sooner

 

[Krienze]

Hi!

I'm so sorry you've gone through this with Fifi =( I just went through an ordeal with Charlie a month ago where he was blocked and required PU surgery - he's been on gabapentin too and I can tell you that gabapentin KNOCKS HIM OUT. I'm not a vet and I'm still very new to learning about blockages and stuff (despite having cats all my life, never went through this before now save for once and they unblocked him and that was it!)

I did notice on the wee wee pads we have in Charlie's pen, that whenever we give him the gabapentin there are lil yellow stains. I think he may "leak" a bit because of how relaxed he is. He's peed a little on my mom twice now, too. It's not a consistent thing by any means, and I think he's likely just still healing down there (plus he had a uti shortly after surgery)

But if she's on the gaba, it's very possible she's tinkling because of it - since I noticed Charlie seemed to dribble a bit when on it.

But again I'm not a vet and I don't 100% know for sure!

I hope things clear up for you and for Fifi soon!!