My cat isn't peeing much. Is it a UTI or a blockage? What should I do?

Have Moose examined tonight by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. A cat that is not urinating or is unable to urinate should be considered a veterinary emergency. An exam and testing may diagnose another urinary tract infection or a urinary obstruction. Blood work can be submitted to assess major organ function, especially kidney function. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis.

Hi, thanks fir using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Jose! The most common causes for urinary obstruction are: crystals in the urine (struvite or Calcium oxalate), bladder stones, stress causing inflammation or a urinary tract infection (not common). The goals of therapy are to relieve the obstruction, test the urine for crystals and infection, do blood work to make sure he isn't sick (high potassium, increased kidney values) take an X-ray to look fro bladder stones. We treat with antibiotics for 2-3 weeks, a urethral relaxant (Prazocin) for a week, and pain medications for a few days. If he has bladder stones surgery is require to remove them. Long-term management is a life long diet change to a prescription urinary diet (royal canin s/o, Hill's c/d, Purina UR) and increase water intake. You can buy a water fountain and change him to an all canned food diet (more water in canned food) from one of the above company's. Jose will also be at risk to reblock and should always be monitored and on a prescription diet. Other wise there are no life long medications. I hope this helps and I wish Jose a speedy recovery!

What you described definitely sounds like a urinary blockage or infection. I recommend bringing Cookie in for an emergency visit for several reasons - first, this condition can be very painful and uncomfortable; second, if Cookie is unable to urinate, the urine will continue to build up in his bladder and can backflow to his kidneys, causing kidney damage and for the toxins that are normally filtered by the kidneys to stay in the body. This can make Cookie very sick and worsen his prognosis for recovery. He will need to be stabilized by a veterinarian. You can also discuss surgery with your vet, as there are several options for male cats who have this recurring condition. I hope this helps and that Cookie feels better soon!

If it has been more than a day without drinking or urination, or your cat seems in severe distress (vocalizing, painful abdomen, attempting to urinate but can't, etc), then this should be seen by your vet immediately as it may indicate another blockage that requires treatment.

Hello. In your post, you indicated that your cannot cannot pee. This is a life threatening emergency and he should be taken to the closest hospital or emergency clinic. If he has an obstruction, this needs to be taken care of immediately. In addition to it being very painful, it causes kidney failure and he can die if this is not corrected immediately. His urine should be looked at microscopically to determine if he has an infection or crystals or possibly a small stone. He will require a catheterization while sedated to relieve the blockage. He will probably need fluids and may require hospitalization. While the antibiotics you have listed are all potentially good for a uti, we are legally not permitted to prescribe or recommend a dose without an examination. This will require your veterinarian to get involved. Please rush him to a veterinarian if he cannot urinate. Best of luck and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Is vito producing urine when he gets in the litter box, or is he straining and very little urine comes out? Male cats can develop a urinary obstruction, which is an emergency condition that needs to be evaluated right away, as it can be fatal. Otherwise, cats can develop bladder crystals, a urinary tract infection, or cystitis (an inflammation of the bladder). If there is a chance Vito has a urinary obstruction, I would have him seen immediately. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If possible, try and take Apollo to your nearest vets before Monday. UTI in cats is painful and unpleasant but what is more, in male cats it can easily turn into urethral blockage, which is a medical emergency. There is not much that you can do at home to help Apollo, I am afraid. Increasing water intake can alleviate the UTI symptoms to some degree, so you should give Apollo wet food or moisten up his kibbles with warm water. for the next few days