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Has your cat been exhibiting some abnormal behavior recently? For example, urinating outside of the litter box, acting restless, hiding or crying for seemingly no reason? These could be signs of a urinary obstruction, and seeing the early signs can help save your cat from severe pain or even death.

Here is what you need to know about urinary obstruction in cats to provide the best animal care

What Is a Urinary Obstruction?

Similar to humans, cats have kidneys that filter their blood to create urine. If the urethra becomes obstructed, your cat will be unable to urinate. The blocks are generally formed from many tiny stones made of minerals that build up over time. If your cat is unable to urinate, it is unable to get rid of the toxins in its body, essentially becoming poisoned. This can cause severe pain, distress and, in the case of a complete obstruction, death in less than a week.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms?

Urinary obstruction can occur in cats of any age but particularly in the first ten years of its life. If you see that your cat is hiding from you in unusual ways, or showing signs of distress, it could mean a number of different things. However, the telltale signs are blood in the urine, frequent trips to the litter box with little or no urination, and crying out when your pet is trying to go to the bathroom. If you see your cat exhibiting any of these behaviors, you should take it to a veterinary hospital right away.

How Can I Prevent Urinary Obstruction in My Cat?

Because of a longer and narrower urethra, this disorder usually affects male cats. Make sure that your cats are continuously hydrated so urine and other minerals can pass more quickly and smoothly through the body. You can also talk to your local veterinarian about your animal care techniques. For example, a change in diet for cats that are overweight or only consume dry food will significantly reduce their risk. 

 

Don’t leave your furry friend’s health up to chance. If you think your cat may be suffering from a urinary obstruction, contact the professionals at Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital in Hawaii. They specialize in pet services and animal care and are open after hours in case of an emergency. Visit their website or give them a call at (808) 671-7387 to get your pet help today.

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