Treating Pain Due to Urinary Blockage

When diagnosing and treating pain from a urinary blockage, Alison Gottlieb, BS, CVT, VTS (ECC), ICU veterinary nurse and education coordinator for CARES (Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services) in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, says the number one thing is to listen to the pet owner and the pet's history.

She says many veterinarians believe that if you can't express a cat's bladder then they're obstructed, but that is just not the case. Some cats just will not let you express their bladder regardless of what is happening. And as far as pain goes, Gottlieb says you need to remember that this is an incredibly painful process. This means that it's highly important to hit the patient hard with analgesia and continue with that analgesia throughout treatment.