2021 Success Story Crowley cat

This cuddly fluff ball is Crowley, a 4-year-old adorable kitty.

His mom noticed that Crowley would cry out when he was urinating, and she also noticed that he had some blood in his urine. Then, he wasn’t urinating at all. Once it progressed to the last symptom, she knew that Crowley needed to see a vet, and fast. 

When she took Crowley into the vet, they learned that he had a minor urinary blockage. 

What is a urinary blockage in a cat? 
For those who don’t know, a urinary blockage can be a painful and life-threatening condition that typically affects male neutered cats.

A urinary blockage means that your cat's urethra — the tube that drains urine from the bladder and then out of the body — is blocked by inflammatory material. When this is blocked, urine can't exit the body and the bladder becomes overfilled. If the blockage goes on too long, the kidneys may start to swell and become damaged, leaving the bladder to potentially rupture or tear.

Cat urinary blockages signs

• Frequent and/or prolonged attempts to urinate
• Crying out (or a yowl) while urinating
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Excessive licking of the genital area
• Hiding or avoiding contact with family 
• Vomiting

Crowley’s mom tries to do everything she can for her pets, but this emergency visit was not in her budget and was outside of what she could afford. So, she applied to Fur Kids Foundation, and we were happy to help. 

Luckily Crowley did not need surgery, but he did have to stay at the vet for a little bit for some fluids and medicine to make him feel better. He was thankfully able to pass his blockage and is already feeling better! 

It is important to pay attention to these signs and symptoms, so you can treat your feline before it becomes a bigger problem. When you clean their litter box, make sure there is a normal amount of urine, and if you notice any drastic changes in the urinating habits, seek medical advice from your vet immediately. 

How to prevent urinary blockages in cats
Unfortunately, once a cat has a urinary blockage, the chances are higher that it can happen again. At the first sign of any urinary issues, talk with your veterinarian about the food you should be feeding your cat. Water consumption is also important for your cat’s system. Be sure to offer your cat fresh and clean water daily, or add canned food into their diet if they currently eat dry food. 

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.