A far to common medical condition of cats is feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Despite decades of research, it is a condition we just do not fully understand the cause. More often than not it does seem their is a underling stress that is a trigger for most cats that suffer with FLUTD symptoms. The most common sign of the disorder is inappropriate urination outside of a litter box, often in bath tubs, sinks, counter tops, and other often smooth surfaces. The urine will often be bloody and be much smaller volumes than normal. Because of their larger anatomy female cats rarely if ever develope a blockage from FLUTD, but they can develope bladder stones if the condition goes untreated. Male cats, often suffer a much problematic fate. Male cats that suffer from FLUTD can develope a serious blockage of their urethra. It can occur quickly and can lead to renal failure and even death if the blockage is not resolved quickly. A Blocked male cat is a true medical emergency.
Even after intervention to open any urinary blockage and treatment it has been reported that more than 15% – 40% of male cats will re-block at some point, often with in weeks on the initial blockage.
Due to the cost of expensive emergency visits and care and the high likelihood of reoccurrence we highly recommend all male cats be considered for a Perineal Urethrotomy at the time of their first urinary blockage. This procedure removes the penis and the narrow urethra that is prone to becoming blocked. Though, the procure does not necessarily treat the underlying cause of FLUTD it will reduce the risk of the cat succumbing from reoccurrence of a urinary blockage. Our long held approach is backed up by research into the advantages of early PU by the APSCA on access to care. Click on the link below for more on the research supporting early PU intervention in blocked male cats.
Welfare of Cats 5 to 29 Months After Perineal Urethrostomy
Our Doctors have performed many successful Perineal Urethrostomy procedures, and are ready to assist you cat if needed. Once your family veterinarian or our veterinarians have unblocked and initiated fluid therapy we can usually get your cat to surgery with in 24 to 72 hours. After surgery your cat will stay with us that night to recover and enjoy some good pain meds as they rest. It will be of vital importance to success of the procedure that you cat keep an E-collar on at all times for 2 weeks. The cat tongue is very abrasive and it will cause significant damage to the delegate tissues of the surgical site if the cat is allowed to lick at the area.
If your cat has been discharged from your family veterinarian, or an emergency clinic stay you may still want to consider a PU surgery before you find yourself with another emergency situation. We can provided this potentially life saving procedure at any time.