The most common cause of not urinating is that something is blocking the urethra, preventing the bladder from emptying (the urethra is the tube that connects the bladder to the genitals for the removal of fluids from the body). In this situation, urine is still being produced and filling the bladder but can’t make its way out. Some reasons for obstructions include:
- Bladder stones—Hard or calcified deposits of minerals that form in the urinary bladder
- Bladder or urethral mass—A lump or tumor found on or around the bladder or along the urethra
- Mucus plug—Made up of mucus, protein and crystals that can block the urethra of a male cat
Not being able to urinate can cause the urine to back up into the kidneys which can then lead to kidney failure very quickly. Kidney failure allows toxins to build up in the bloodstream which can cause heart problems and other organs to fail. This occurs most often in male cats but can happen to female cats and male and female dogs, too.
- Applying gentle pressure and manipulating the penis, in male cats, to relieve the obstruction. Female cats rarely get a urethral obstruction. When they do, it is usually caused by bladder stones that lodge in the urethra just as it leaves the bladder.
- Removing urine from the bladder by inserting a urinary catheter into the bladder
- Using intravenous (IV) fluids to flush the bladder and the bloodstream
- Administering antibiotics to treat any underlying infection
Treatment usually requires multiple-day hospitalization to help prevent reblockage and to treat the underlying cause.
In some hard-to-treat or recurring cases, a surgical procedure to bypass or remove the blockage may be required. The blockage usually occurs higher up in the urethra where it bends in a U shape. The most common surgeries would be bladder surgery to remove the stones or a perineal urethrostomy to bypass the area of blockage.
A more serious situation that causes a pet not to be able to urinate is severe renal failure. In this case, the kidneys produce little or no urine. Signs include vomiting, loss of appetite, lack of urination, lethargy, depression and collapse. Toxins such as antifreeze and certain drugs, a severe infection, trauma or severe anaphylactic shock can cause renal failure. IV fluids, drugs to stimulate urine production, supportive care and hospitalization are common forms of treatment. The prognosis, however, is guarded for pets with severe renal failure. – See more at: http://www.banfield.com/Pet-Owners/Pet-Health/Pet-Health-Articles/My-Dog-or-Cat-Can%E2%80%99t-Urinate?utm_source=PromotionalPost&utm_medium=FB&utm_content=022513&utm_campaign=FBStatus#sthash.3ckYWn8E.dpuf