Urinary Obstruction

If your dog or cat is having trouble urinating, there is a strong possibility that he or she is experiencing urinary obstruction. At Urgent Pet Care Omaha, we have treated both male and female dogs and cats with urinary obstructions, and we are here to assist you. Please contact us immediately to discuss the treatment of your pet!

A urinary obstruction prevents your dog or cat from urinating properly, and can be a life-threatening emergency – particularly for cats. The inability to urinate leads to a buildup of toxins in the body that would normally be passed through the urine, and can ultimately be fatal if left untreated.

There are a variety of causes for urinary obstruction, the most common of which is bladder stones. However, there are other causes as well, including muscle spasms, mucous plugs and cancer.

It is usually easy to tell if your pet is having trouble urinating because he or she will show signs of strain and produce little or no urine. The condition can be painful, resulting in vocalizations from your pet. Cats may quickly become lethargic, start vomiting or stop moving altogether.

Renal failure can result if the condition is left untreated.

Before treatment can begin, it is important that we properly diagnose what is causing the obstruction of your pet’s urinary tract. We will begin by feeling your pet’s abdomen, then most likely take blood for testing to determine the nature of the problem. We may also take images of your pet’s abdomen using an x-ray or ultrasound machine.

After we have determined what is going on, we will attempt to eliminate the obstruction using various methods based on the diagnosis. We will most likely sedate your pet to facilitate treatment, then use massage and fluid to dislodge the blockage. We will also probably administer intravenous fluids to re-hydrate your pet and balance electrolytes.

Sometimes surgery is necessary. If it is, we will explain the procedure to you, why it is necessary and get your consent before we operate.

Kidney damage can occur due to urinary obstruction, but most often the damage can be repaired through IV fluid administration and time. A catheter may be left in your pet for a short period to help drain excess fluid, and we may administer pain medications as well depending on the situation.

We will do our best to remove the blockage and return normal function to your pet’s urinary tract, but sometimes treatment is not completely effective. It is important to monitor your pet following treatment to ensure that he or she is urinating normally. If we cannot eliminate the blockage completely, regular monitoring is extremely important for your pet’s long term health.

If we believe the obstruction was caused by dietary issues, we will take a careful look at your pet’s diet and give you advice on changes you can make to help prevent the formation of crystals or other blockages.

If your pet did require surgery, then there will be a period of time – usually two weeks – when activity will need to be restricted to ensure proper healing. We will give you specific instructions on how to best care for your dog or cat following treatment.

Urinary obstructions can be life-threatening, so it is vital that you contact us, your emergency veterinarian in Omaha, immediately if you suspect a urinary obstruction. The sooner we can get started on treatment, the better chance we have of protecting your pet. Contact either our Papillion or Millard clinic today.