My cat had a urinary blockage. Why did he urinate after euthanasia?

A urinary blockag, or urtheral obstruction, is a problem almost exclusively reserved for male cats. Compared to female cats, males have a much thinner and narrower urethra - the tube that drains urine from the bladder through the penis (in male cats). This predisposes the urethra to blockages when plugs of inflammatory material (such as white blood cells and mucus), as well as crystals or small bladder stones, become lodged in the urethra preventing the passage of urine. When the urethra is blocked and the cat has filled its bladder to capacity, the kidneys will stop producing more urine because there is no where for it to go. With "kidney shut down" the body is no longer able to remove toxins from the blood or maintain proper fluid balances and electrolytes. The leads to kidney failure and eventually death of the cat. Urinary blockages must be treated aggressively in order for the cat to survive. Typically, a catheter is passed into the bladder, through the urethra, in order to flush out the urinary blockage or force the plug back into the bladder. Then the cat's bladder is drained and flushed through the catheter. Cats with urinary blockages are hospitatlized for up to 72+ hours to receive intravenous fluids, pain medications, and medications to reduce inflammation and address infection. Prognosis is very good for cats that are treated appropriately and in a timely manner, but treatment can be expensive, especially for cats that have already gone into kidney failure. If you cannot afford the cost of emergency care or the cat is already moribund, then euthanasia may be the kindest option.

I would recommend a further check up and blood test as renal issues can come up many hours/days later than initial presentation. Incontinence can be secondary to lack of bladder contraction due to over-distended bladder (due to blockage), there are anyway medications available to help contraction. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Temporary Incontinence is very common following relief of obstruction and tends to resolve over 10-14days. The reasons why are poorly understood but seem to be related to muscle weakness and poor nerve control as well as an increase in urine production following kidney insult and tends to improve gradually.

Yes, this can be normal. Urinary blockage effects a cat's entire system and can make them feel very poorly. When the catheter is removed there is usually a fair bit of inflammation due to the catheter having been in place. The fact that he is producing urine is a good sign. You want to see him continue and start to produce more and more. If he appears to get duller or stop urinating take him back to the vet.

He is probably still suffering from an infection/inflammation and he probably received muscle relaxant medications which causes loss of control on the bladder. once the medication course is over and he is healed it will stop, but until then it's actually a good thing that he is peeing everywhere, it means he is not blocked anymore.

Yes, if he is blocked then he requires a catheter inserting. It is not uncommon for cats to re-block or for muscle spasm to become severe enough to prevent voluntary urination and a temporary or even long term surgical resolution may be required. An obstructed bladder prevents waste products from being excreted from the body and can rapidly become life threatening if not relieved

Yes, the infection and the spasms can continue for a few days after this is done. The important part is that he passing urine! But he needs to be monitored closely as he can still block again until the stream is good.