Let’s have a look at some disorders our pets are at risk for, especially during the cold season to come!

Urinary Tract Disease　Part 1　

Urethral Obstruction

Urethral obstruction is a medical emergency that causes the dog/cat to strain while urinating, producing little or no urine each time. This condition occurs most commonly in male cats, but male dogs and female dogs/cats may be affected as well. Males are more likely to develop obstruction because of their long and narrow urethra. Causes vary, from physical obstruction such as calculi, stricture caused by scar tissue, neoplasia, prostate disease (in male dogs), to functional obstruction (known as idiopathic obstruction) which is common in male cats.

Delay in treatment can cause the onset of systemic signs (related to uremia/ acute renal failure) including vomiting, anorexia, and/or lethargy and collapse. Uremia is potentially life threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

〇Initial symptoms

The most common early clinical signs resemble those of cystitis, including stranguria, dysuria, and hematuria. Urinating in unusual places and frequent urination are symptoms relatively easy to spot.

〇Prevention

Switching to canned food and increasing water availability.

Improving litter box hygiene and increasing number of litter boxes(cats)

Detection of those early clinical signs is key when treating urethral obstruction. If your pet is not urinating as usual, or urinating more frequently than usual, a visit to your local vet as soon as possible is recommended. Pets that have experienced urethral obstruction in the past tend to relapse, so dietary changes may be necessary, and it is always a good idea to have check-ups (urinalysis) done regularly.