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How to prevent urinary blockages in my male cat after hospitalization?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 2 years and 8 months old | 12.3 lbs

Hi, my male cat got admitted to hospital yesterday not being able to pee. He is on a catheter now and medication ( for pain, antibiotic) this situation has been going on for about 18 hours now. How can I help him not to have this again? What must I change in his food/ water? Shall I give him some maintenance medications for life to help prevent this? Many thanks

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on November 9th, 2017

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!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 24th, 2017

    Oh my! Poor Orestes. The immediate concern is to obviously relieve the obstruction, which will require unfortunately an ER vet visit right now! Toxins build up in th body very quickly when a pet can't urinate and the urinary bladder can also rupture, which means emergency surgery and possible death. If you followed the vets recommendations and placed him on prescription urinary food, then the chances of stones forming again this quickly and causing the obstruction are very low. It is more likely he has a mucous plug causing the obstruction. This can be alleviated by he vet placing a urinary catheter (under sedation) and hospitalizing him for a few days. He wouldn't need another surgery if that is the case. But first things first. He needs to be taken in. If he comes out of this acute crisis ok, then you can discuss with your vet about placing him on prescription urinary canned food to increase water content and dilute the urine. Also environmental modifications to reduce stress seem to help prevent reoccurrence. I hope your pet Orestes makes a full recovery!

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    Answered By Ana M, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 18th, 2020

    Thank you for submitting your question regarding Jackson. A urinary blockage is a life threatening emergency. He needs to see a veterinarian right away if he is unable to urinate properly. Longterm management strategies include a prescription urinary diet or even a special surgery. I hope this information helps!

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 10th, 2017

    Your vet did the right thing, however you should start feeding a urinary feline diet, he will need to lose weight, if he is chubby, should get lots of exercise. If this happens again then Musi will probably be better off with surgery (urethrostomy with removing the penis to ensure that any crystals can be peed out, and do not block him.). A blocked urethra can be fatal. You should consult with your veterinarian about what next step he recommends.

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