An inability to urinate is a medical emergency, as without a way to empty the bladder may burst and cause fatal damage.
This is most common in male cats and dogs due to a variety of reasons, such as bladder stones or prostate disease. While female pets can also experience a urinary blockage, it is much less likely.
What To Look For:
- Straining to urinate but not producing any, or producing only a few drops
- Crying or whimpering when urinating or when in the litterbox
- Red or orange-tinged urine
- Lethargy, dullness, not wanting to eat or drink or move around
- Swollen, firm abdomen