Is it dangerous to flush a cat's bladder?

Question

My cat has been in the hospital for almost a week now due to a Urethral Obstruction. A catheter was put in and he was flushed, after 24hrs the catheter was removed and overnight he became blocked again. The vet replaced a new catheter and flushed his bladder once again. Well when we took him home he once again became blocked and the vet replaced a new catheter and flushed his bladder for a third time. I am just worried that flushing a cat's bladder so many times can be dangerous. On the last flush the vet said there were no longer signs of crystals but there was a little blood. He believes this is from his bladder be inflamed from the infection.

Answer 1

Hi, if it was my cat i would be abit worried too,but as a vet he should know what he's doing the best thing you could do is always ask another vet's opinion, i think thats what i would do in this case,goodluck and hope it turns out ok :)

Answer 2

I would not be worried about having his bladder flushed.  But if this seems like its going to be a consistant problem you may want to consider having a PU surgery  (perineal urethrostomy) done on your cat. He will not block anymore.

http://www.petplace.com/cats/perineal-ur...

Answer 3

did the vet give you anything to give to your cat when at home? sometimes the urethra becomes "traumatized" from being messed with and then it tends to constrict. The vet gave me some pills to give to my guy to help him relax. I gave him one and he sat in the dining room and purred and drooled all day. he also slept a lot. I can't remember the name of it though. anyways, the thing is.. he was then able to relax enough to urinate on his own. he had been cathed before as well as having a sterile sample drawn directly from his bladder. after just one pill though it seems the muscles relaxed and the swelling went down so he could go on his own. I think it was an "amil" type drug. ask your vet, it may help.

ETA: just did a search and I am pretty sure it was Elavil (amitriptyline) it is an anti depressant. the link is to a page about FLUTD and they mention the use of Elavil to help the cat's bladder and urethra to relax.

http://carolonpets.com/Articles/Health/C...