Same-day urgent care, 7 days a week · Call (818) 922-2209
A blocked cat cannot pass urine, and without treatment the condition can become fatal within a day or two. If your cat is straining in the litter box with little or no urine, call Encino Pet Hospital & Emergency at (818) 922-2209 and come in right away. We see cats for urinary blockage same day, seven days a week.
Male cats are at highest risk because their urethra is long and narrow, but any cat straining to urinate needs attention the same day. Watch for:
Straining is often mistaken for constipation. When in doubt, call us. Do not wait to see if it passes, and do not give human medications. Our emergency and urgent care page explains what happens when you arrive.
If this happens after 7:30 PM, go to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital now rather than waiting for us to open. A blocked cat cannot safely wait until morning.
The urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, becomes plugged. Urine backs up into the bladder, and the kidneys can no longer clear waste and potassium from the blood.
As potassium builds up, it can slow the heart to a dangerous rhythm. That is why a blocked cat can go from uncomfortable to critical in hours. Common reasons the urethra plugs include:
Risk is higher in male cats, indoor cats, cats that are overweight, and cats that drink little water. Stress at home can set off cystitis flare-ups.
A blocked bladder is usually easy to feel, and it is painful, so we move quickly to stabilize your cat.
Bloodwork checks kidney values and potassium, and many results come back in under an hour. X-rays look for stones, and an ultrasound can show the bladder and kidneys in more detail. X-ray and ultrasound studies are read by a board-certified veterinary radiologist.
In general terms, the blockage is relieved under sedation or anesthesia, and a urinary catheter is placed so the bladder can drain. IV fluids help flush the kidneys and correct the blood chemistry, and your cat receives pain relief. Most blocked cats need a hospital stay with close monitoring while the catheter is in place. Learn more about pet hospitalization.
Once home, your cat may need a urinary diet, more water in the diet, and a calmer routine. Some cats block again, especially in the first weeks. If stones are found, bladder stone surgery may be recommended, and for cats that block repeatedly, our team will set up a surgical consultation to discuss options.
Cat owners come to us from across the Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ventura. If you are driving in from Palmdale or Lancaster, call as you leave so we are ready when you arrive.
Blocked cats need care right away. Call (818) 922-2209 and head in, we are open every day from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Everything your pet needs, in one place in Encino.
