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My senior cat is crying when peeing. Is this a medical emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Max is a Seventeen year old male cat who has started to cry when urinating . He has been treated for hyperthyroidism a year ago at the University of Waterloo . Otherwise no known problems. We live in Burlington, Ontario. After reading a few related articles, I will put white paper in his litter box to check for blood in urine. Too late tonight to go to a vet. Please advise.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 8th, 2017

Poor Max! It's very concerning that he is crying when urinating, and I would check him to see if he is straining while urinating and if no urine is coming out. Crying when urinating can indicate a blockage by bladder stones, and the other symptoms seen are straining and producing no urine. A blockage is a medical emergency which is fatal without treatment, and if he straining and producing no urine, you have to get him into a vet right away. There will be a vet on call in your area for emergencies, and the information to reach that vet will be on their answering machine or website. I would find a vet on call to have him seen now, if he is blocked it absolutely cannot wait until the morning.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 15th, 2020

    This is a medical emergency and Earl Grey has to see a vet now. He may have a blocked urethra, which is fatal without treatment. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.

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