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Cat health with AHT Vets
Is your cat urinating fine?
Is it a hard question for some, but it is surely something you should start paying attention to if you haven’t been. If your cat is having trouble urinating, they potentially may have a urinary obstruction.
What are ‘blocked’ cats and what cats are more likely to be affected?
Blocked cats are cats that cannot urinate because their urethra is obstructed. This can be caused by accumulation of cells, protein, small crystals and stones (uroliths), which form plugs.
Urinary obstruction usually affects male cats, especially those that are overweight and mostly indoor. Cats that are easily stressed are more likely to be affected.
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Why is it a problem when cats are blocked?
Toxic metabolic products are not able to be excreted, these accumulate in the blood and causes damage to organs such as the kidneys. The potassium that accumulates in blood cause the heart to slow down and eventually stop beating.
Complete obstruction can cause kidney failure in as little as 24 hours and potentially death in as little as 48 hours. Therefore, it is important to act quickly.
What are the signs to look out for?
It is important to realise that not all blocked cats are presented the same way and early signs might be subtle and hard to pick up. Some of them will show signs of urinary tract inflammation such as urinating outside the litter tray, straining to urinate and blood in urine. Some of them may be lethargic, have a reduced appetite and may hide. Some cats may vomit.
Is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening?
A good quality diet that contains lower levels of magnesium, phosphate and calcium may help to reduce the formation of crystals and therefore reduce the chance of blockage. Do not overfeed your cats as a good body condition helps to prevent urinary tract issue and maintain optimum health.
- If you have any concerns about your cat, contact AHT Vets in Thornlands on 3286 7888 or Alexandra Hills on 3820 2066.