Is your cat not peeing? Does the urine look abnormal? These may be signs of many types of urinary tract disease.

Urinary issues are all too common in cats. Urinary tract infections affect both male and female cats, while urinary blockages effect primarily male cats. Issues can also be caused by seemingly no reason at all, called Feline Idiopathic Urinary Tract Disease.

Average Cost of Urinary Tract Treatment

Simple urinary tract infections can be treated with one or two visits to the veterinarian. This will cost $200 to $500, depending on how extensive the diagnostics and treatments are.

On the other hand, urinary blockages need emergency attention and surgery. Types of urinary crystals in the bladder may also need surgery.

For feline urethral obstruction (urinary blockage) and feline uroliths (bladder crystals/stones) costs include diagnostics, medical treatment, and surgery. You can expect to pay $800 to $2,200. The price mainly varies based on the severity and urgency of the case.

• Symptoms and Examination

Inappropriate urination, crying in the litter box, frequent urination, and blood in the urine are all symptoms of urinary issues in cats. Most cases of inappropriate urination in cats begin as a urinary tract infection.

Therefore, they should be quickly investigated by your veterinarian. An exam of this nature will cost $50 to $100.

If your cat is ever unable to urinate, this is an emergency. Even waiting overnight can result in kidney damage and death. If an emergency clinic is needed, the exam cost is $100 to $300 depending on your location.

• Diagnosis

When urinary issues are suspected, your veterinarian will do a urinalysis. This test will look for any crystal formation and bacteria in the urine as well as kidney issues.

The cost of a urinalysis is $60 to $120. This may or may not include a urine culture. A urine culture alone is about $40. If your veterinarian has to collect a urine sample directly from the bladder, this will increase the urinalysis price by about $30.

If crystal formation is suspected or a urinary blockage has occurred, an x-ray will also be recommended. An x-ray costs $120 to $250.

This will confirm the presence and size of any urinary crystals/stones. This is especially important in male cats as crystals can cause a blockage.

For blood tests, CBC might be needed which costs around $50 to $60. Some vet clinics offer a package inclusive of the complete blood count and chemistry panel for $150 to $200.

If a full chemistry panel is out of your price range, your veterinarian may recommend some limited testing such as electrolyte test. This test is priced around $20 but will give much less information.

Ultrasound that costs roughly $300 would also be a possibility.

• Non-Surgical Treatment

Your veterinarian will decide if the urinary issues can be addressed with medication or if surgery is required. It would be extremely rare for female cats to need surgery.

Antibiotics will cost $20 to $70 depending on the kind recommended by your veterinarian. Anti-inflammatory pain medication is also typically prescribed, which costs around $30. Subcutaneous fluids may also be needed, which cost $15 to $30.

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If struvite crystals are present, your cat will need to be placed on a prescription diet to dissolve them. A 4-pound bag of this cat special diet costs around $25 while 24 cans cost around $40.

Canned food is preferred over dry as it increases water intake and helps dissolve the crystals faster. Your cat may need to stay on this food for life if it is prone to crystal formation.

• Surgical Treatment

Treatment costs will rise rapidly if surgery is needed. Cats with a urinary blockage will need emergency surgery.

Non-blocked cats with urinary crystals will need surgery rapidly as well, but it can usually wait until normal business hours. Cats that need surgery will still need all the medical treatments listed above in addition to the surgical treatments.

The Surgical Procedure

• Pre-Surgery Health Checks

Most cats will require bloodwork before going under anesthesia. As mentioned above, full blood chemistry and CBC costs around $150 to $200.

These tests will show which medications and precautions to use during the surgery. They also will give insight into any kidney damage that may have occurred.

If the surgery is not done the same day as the diagnosis, the veterinarian will do another exam before administering anesthesia. This exam costs $30 to $50 and makes sure your cat’s condition hasn’t changed much since diagnosis.

• Anesthesia and Surgery

The amount of anesthesia required will vary depending on the type of surgery.

The best-case scenario is that your cat only requires flushing of the urinary tract. A catheter will be placed to dislodge any crystals and the bladder will be flushed. This only requires a reversible anesthetic injection which costs $25 to $50.

The catheter will stay in place for up to three days until the inflammation is reduced. The procedure itself should cost $100 to $200.

If abdominal surgery is required to remove crystals, your cat will need anesthetic gas as well as an anesthetic injection. This will bring the cost of anesthesia into the $150 to $200 range. This is not only due to the added drug cost, but the close monitoring of vital signs required as well.

The veterinarian will go into the abdomen and directly into the bladder to remove the sediment. This is required when crystals are large or numerous. The price for the procedure will likely be in the $200 to $400 range.

Nephrectomy for the irreversible complications to the kidney and ureter may be required if the cat has failed to be treated earlier. This operation is rare in cats and will cost significantly more than other urinary surgeries.

To make sure that the best surgical practices are used, find an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited veterinary clinic. Accredited clinics are not usually more expensive than non-accredited.

Do not be afraid to ask your veterinarian for a referral to a specialist. This can be at a veterinary school or a specialty hospital. Many times, the cost of surgery at a specialist is comparable to your local veterinarian.

• Surgical Recovery

Often, hospitalization is required after a catheter is placed. Post-op hospitalization will cost $50 to $100 per day and usually lasts up to 3 days.

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In addition to the drugs listed previously, your cat will be given and sent home with strong pain medication that costs $50 to $100. It may also need an Elizabethan collar to prevent any licking, which costs $10 to $20.

In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend sending out the bladder stones for analysis by a laboratory. This will tell your veterinarian what type of stones your cat has and how best to prevent them in the future. This test costs around $100.

• Follow Up

For a simple urinary tract infection, it is a good idea to follow up with a urinalysis to make sure the infection is cleared.

For a case of urinary crystals, your veterinarian will want to see that the prescription food has dissolved any crystals and prevented any new ones from forming. They will also want to check that your cat is healing well if they had surgery. This may involve x-rays, bloodwork, and urinalysis.

Overall, the follow up can cost as low as $50 for a simple urinary tract infection to $400 for an extensive recheck.

— Update: 17-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article PU Surgery for Cats – What should I expect regarding cost and recovery? from the website www.danaparkvethospital.com for the keyword male cat urinary blockage cost.

Domestic cats are particularly susceptible to sudden urinary blockages. Generally, we aim to treat these blockages through less invasive means, but when standard treatment is ineffective a perineal urethrostomy (PU) can be necessary to clear the dangerous and painful blockage from your feline companion. Today, our Redding vets are here to tell you everything you need to know about this treatment; including what costs are associated with the procedure and what the recovery process looks like for cats after PU surgery.

How Do Urinary Blockages Happen In Cats?

Urinary blockages are caused by ‘plugs’ made of protein-rich sludge, crystals, or small stones that can get stuck in your cat’s urethra – the tube that allows your cat to urinate. Neutered male cats have a much higher occurrence of urinary blockages because their much narrower urethra permits less material to pass through it.

What Does A Urinary Blockage Look Like In A Cat?

When a cat has an obstruction in its urethra, it will squat to pee more frequently than normal but little to no urine will be expelled. The most pressing issue with this condition is that liquid will continue to enter the bladder, but will be unable to be expelled when the bladder is filled. This will cause serious, and noticeable discomfort and even pain from the pressure. The toxic waste that is typically released through urination will begin to back up into the bloodstream resulting in lethargy, disorientation, and vomiting. If this issue isn’t treated promptly, the bladder will rupture.

How Can PU Surgery Help My Cat?

If your cat’s condition can’t be fixed using standard treatment options such as pushing the blockage away with a catheter, or your cat is prone to urinary blockages, a surgical procedure called perineal urethrostomy (PU) may be the option your vet decides is best.

This procedure is designed to make the urethra wider, thus allowing potential blockages to pass through rather than getting stuck. This surgery reduced the risk of future blockages but does not guarantee that they will never get an obstruction again.

What Should I Expect After Surgery?

Your cat will be required to wear an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) to prevent licking or biting at the surgical site. Excessive licking can interfere with healing and if your cat licks or gets to the incision, there may not be any tissue left to repair since the skin is very thin. This collar must not be removed until your vet gives you the go-ahead, which is typically in about 2 weeks.

Your cat will also need to be kept calm and have its activity restricted. Your veterinarian may recommend confining your cat to a small area, away from other pets, where his activity can be limited and he can be closely monitored.

Read more  PU Surgery for Cats - What should I expect regarding cost and recovery?

Immediately after the surgery, it is normal for your pet to have bloody urine for a few days and may have accidents as they get used to the new function of their urethra. This is temporary and we recommend you keep your pet in a room with tile during your cat’s recovery from PU surgery so any accidents can be cleaned up easily. If blood or urine stains their back legs or belly, you can use a wet washcloth to clean them. Do not wipe the incision area directly.

Your cat will require a special litter for his recovery so it won’t stick to the incision. You can use shredded newspaper or if your cat prefers a pelleted litter, you can purchase pelleted paper litter. Be prepared and have an appropriate paper litter ready for your cat when he gets home. You can return to your regular litter after they have healed.

What Does A Cat’s PU Surgery Recovery Time Typically Look Like?

The general outcome of PU surgery is positive. It can help your cat live a more comfortable life without frequent bladder obstructions.

Studies have shown that cats tend to live around three to five years after PU surgery. That being said, this surgery won’t negatively harm their life expectancy. With proper preventive care, your cat can live a happy, healthy, blockage-free life.

How Much Will PU Surgery For My Cat Cost?

The cost of surgery can get pretty steep, and prices vary depending on the diagnostic test needed, and the extent of the condition. Alternatively, if you compare the cost of surgery to the cost of frequent treatment for blockages, it may save you money in the long run. contact our Dana Park Veterinary Hospital vets to get an estimate.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Developing A Urinary Obstruction?

Proper preventive care is the key to reducing your cat’s risk of developing urinary blockages. Routine visits to your vet for a routine wellness exam will allow them to ensure your cat is receiving the right care at home to prevent blockages, but here are some other things you can do between appointments:

• Increase your cat’s water intake by providing clean and fresh water, or adding some flavor.
• Change their diet to a urinary diet that has limited minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.
• Reduce your cat’s stress by keeping their litter clean, and reducing changes to their schedule.
• Offer an enriched environment with perches, moving toys, or food puzzles.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.