Risk of feline penile blockages reduced with surgery

  After surgery, cats like Bailey are probably still making the crystals that would normally block the

Recurrent blockages of the penis can be painful in any species. Male cats are especially predisposed to repeated blockages because of the length their urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) and because of their tendency to have crystal and pH imbalances in their urine.

"If your male cat is going to the litter box often with little to no release of urine, if you think he is constipated, or if he is hiding, mentally dull, and has a rock-hard bladder, he may have
a penile obstruction," says Dr. Sheila McCullough, veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in Urbana.

"The urethra could be blocked by a crystal buildup, a blood clot, sloughed tissue fragments, or a urethral plug. Untreated it could lead to renal failure and a comatose state," informs Dr.
McCullough. A urethal plug is the most common blockage in cats. Excess crystals in the urine because of diet or lower urinary tract problems and a concurrent urine pH imbalance cause the block. Veterinarians can flush the urethra or surgically remove the blockage.

Second-year veterinary student Jill Scott has a cat who had recurrent penile obstruction. "Bailey would squat to urinate about every ten minutes inside and outside of the box and no
urine would come out. Bailey had never squatted outside the box before," she remembers.

"Bailey got blocked four times in four weeks over the summer. The veterinarian I was working with in Hilton Head, South Carolina, suggested we consider a surgery where you remove your cat’s penis and basically make him into a girl cat. I thought she was joking
since I had never heard of this operation. ’Cut off my cat’s penis! How silly!’ I thought," says Scott.

"One thing people need to consider is that the cost of the surgery, called perianal urethrostomy, ultimately is cheaper than the cost of unblocking your cat over and over again. It is also less painful for your cat," explains Dr. McCullough. "The surgery shortens the male urethra and thus potentially decreases the likelihood of obstruction recurring."

"Before the surgery, Bailey and I sat down and had a long talk about what it means to be a girl," jokes Scott. "Even so, Bailey was very sore and cranky after the surgery. I was told to hot pack his stitches every day, and he was not cooperative at all. His urine was bloody after the surgery for a few days but was clear after the stitches were removed. Bailey now urinates straight out the back. He sometimes overshoots the litter box, otherwise he urinates like a champ!"

Cats that have undergone this procedure are more likely to get ascending urinary tract infections (bacterial contamination) because the urethral opening is less protected and more physically and physiologically open to infections. It is also possible that the new urethral opening will become too narrow due to scarring. Scott says Bailey is OK.

After surgery, cats like Bailey are probably still making the crystals that would normally block them, but now the hole is big enough and the urethra straight enough for the crystals to pass right out. "Bailey is still on a special veterinarian-recommended diet to keep his urine acidic to help reduce crystal formation and to keep his weight down," adds Scott.

"It is important to remember that a cat that has undergone this surgery still has the potential to reblock. Females can get urinary blockages too. However, the risk for females and for
males who have had this surgery is much reduced," explains Dr. McCullough.

"I’m glad we chose surgery. I was always worrying about him blocking up right before I had an important test-his favorite time to cause havoc in my life," Scott grins. "I think Bailey agrees. For a while after the surgery he wouldn’t sleep on my bed like he usually did, so I think he was a little mad. But he’s much happier not visiting the veterinarian every week or so."

For more information about penile blockages in cats, contact your local veterinarian.

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