Where is the cat's bladder? Manual bladder emptying in cats and dogs.

Acute urinary retention - ischuria - is a pathological condition manifested by the absence of a full act of urination for more than 12 hours. The causes of ischuria can be mechanical, associated with impaired patency of the urinary tract, and neurological, associated with impaired nervous regulation of the tone of the smooth muscles of the genitourinary system.

This condition requires medical attention aimed at evacuating accumulated urine. The least traumatic option is considered to be manual emptying. In cats, this procedure is often referred to as massage or squeezing.

The procedure for manual emptying is simple and, if technical nuances are observed, absolutely safe for the animal. A doctor at any veterinary clinic will explain how to properly massage a cat’s bladder if the animal has problems with independent urination.

What is it for

A long absence of urination with preserved kidney function leads to the accumulation of urine in the bladder, its overstretching and, in the most severe cases, rupture of the wall, which soon leads to the death of the animal. In a simpler case, there is a sequential expansion of the ureters, calyces and renal pelvis, compression and atrophy of the renal parenchyma.

The attached microflora provokes the development of infectious complications:

• Urethritis.
• Cystitis.
• Pyelonephritis.
• Infectious-toxic shock.
• Sepsis.

Prolonged stagnation of urine causes sedimentation of salts, leading to the formation and growth of stones in the urine collector. If the stone is large, it is possible to develop a bedsore of the bladder wall, perforate it and cause the death of the animal.

A feature of the urinary canal in cats is the S-shaped bend of the urethra. The external urethral sphincter is located in this zone, so the lumen of the canal has a relative narrowing. Pain in the urethra during the discharge of uroliths can cause a reflex spasm of the sphincter. The combination of such anatomical features leads to a common problem in cats - obstruction of the urethra with urinary stones and acute urinary retention.

Indications and contraindications

The procedure for manual bladder emptying is recommended to a cat by a veterinarian during an in-person examination if urinary retention is proven.

Reasons for prescribing bladder massage:

• Hypertonicity of the smooth muscles of the bladder itself or the urethral sphincter due to a neurological deficit.
• Sphincter spasm due to cystitis.
• Urethritis.
• Urolithiasis disease.
• Anomalies in the development of the urinary system.
• Urethral obstruction caused by gonadal hyperplasia in uncastrated cats.
• Obstruction of the urethra caused by compression from the outside by tumors, hematomas, purulent-inflammatory processes, scars, etc.

Manipulation is contraindicated when:

1. Injuries with rupture of the wall of the bladder or urethra.
2. Disintegration of malignant neoplasms of the urinary system.
3. Acute urinary retention for more than two days.
4. Severe bleeding from the urethra.

Preparation

At home, the manipulation is performed in the toilet or bathroom. Before starting the procedure, the pet must be calmed in a gentle, calm voice and stroked.

Then you should carefully palpate the abdomen to determine the degree of bladder tension and allow the cat to get used to the touch.

Before the procedure begins, the male penis is examined for superficially located uroliths. The discovered stones are removed from the edge to the base of the penis, gently squeezing it with two fingers. First, fingers should be lubricated with liquid soap or petroleum jelly.

Technique for performing manual bladder emptying

There are two options for performing a massage: for a standing pet and for a lying one.

Performing manipulation on a cat in a standing position

This version of the procedure is preferable in animals with paraplegia. It is more convenient to carry out the manipulation with an assistant, whose task is to hold the animal in place until the end of the emptying manipulation. The technique is as follows:

1. Place both hands on the lower edge of the cat's chest in a grasping motion so that the thumb is parallel to the spine, and the remaining fingers support the lower half of the cat's body by the stomach.
2. Using a stroking motion, move your hands along the cat's body towards the hind legs until you feel the top of the bladder under your index finger (about 3-5 cm above the pubis). On palpation, the fluid-filled bubble is a round formation of dense elastic consistency, reminiscent of a children's balloon.
3. Gently and evenly squeeze the cat’s abdomen in the area where the bladder is projected with your palms, achieving a continuous and steady flow of urine.
4. Gradually increasing the pressure from the top to the base to obtain the most complete emptying of the bladder.
5. If necessary, wipe with a napkin or wash the animal.

Performing a massage on a cat in a lying position

It is most often performed on animals with urolithiasis, mainly cats. The procedure is performed by one person, the animal is positioned on its side or back. Manipulation can be carried out with a damp cloth.

1. Place your hand, cupped, on the pet’s lower abdomen.
2. Using circular pressure movements in a clockwise direction, stroke the abdomen and genital area, increasing the pressure in the area of ​​the apex of the bladder.
3. Achieve the removal of impurities and urine until the urine collector is completely emptied.
4. In animals suffering from urolithiasis, uroliths appear in the form of a white or yellowish mass of pasty consistency. After the urethra is freed, it is possible that the pet will urinate on its own.

Important! Proper bladder massage does not cause any discomfort in cats. If during the process of manual defecation the animal begins to show anxiety, it is necessary to seek professional veterinary help!

Some diseases in cats can cause poor control of the animal's hindquarters. The excretory system is especially often affected. Therefore, for the normal functioning of the cat’s body, it is necessary to provide special assistance. In this article I will tell you something about bladder massage in cats, about the procedure itself and about cases when it is necessary.

Massage is performed if the pet suffers from infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as from damage to the nerves of the hind limbs (paresis, paralysis, etc.).

Of course, it is always better to contact qualified specialists, but situations can be very different. But sometimes the life (!) of a cat can depend on this. Therefore, it is recommended for all those owners whose pets suffer from the diseases listed above to know about this procedure.

Difficulty urinating and bladder dysfunction become immediately noticeable. The cat becomes restless or, conversely, too lethargic. The animal walks less and less, depression and vomiting may also occur. Changes also occur in the pet's behavior - the cat spends a lot of time in the toilet, tries to urinate in different places.

Let's consider the basic actions when massaging the bladder for the cat:

1) Carefully take your pet in your arms, and under no circumstances put any pressure on the belly on purpose. Place the animal on the table with all four paws and assess its general health.

2) Calm the cat down - pat him on the head, say something affectionate. Touch your stomach and feel your bladder. The degree of its swelling and density will indicate how dangerous the current situation is.

3) Lay the animal on its side or back, ask someone to hold the pet in this position.

4) Inspect your penis - if it is covered in tiny stones that are blocking the passage of urine, get rid of them. To do this, lubricate the fingers of one hand with a special gel or soap, gently squeeze the genital organ and move your hand away from the base.

5) Fold your palm into a boat and begin to massage the bladder so that the urine is directed towards the external genitalia. Do not press under any circumstances, any careless movement can lead to bladder rupture! It is not strength that is important, but correctness. If you can do everything as it should, you will see urine released in small quantities. Moderate amounts of blood in the urine are acceptable.

6) The cat will most likely start to break out and fight. Have someone hold your pet's paws and rub his neck for comfort.

7) If the procedure is successful, the cat will be able to urinate in the litter box. It is advisable that the animal's bladder is emptied by 50%. But if your pet has nothing against a massage, you can try to complete the procedure.

For cats that require bladder massage, it is best not to feed dry food, but use wet food instead. Provide your animal with access to clean drinking water, this will help prevent the formation of kidney stones, etc.

Bladder massage is a procedure necessary to help a cat who cannot empty his bowels without assistance. It is also called bladder compression. The necessity and expediency of its implementation must be determined by a doctor, since any initiative of the animal owner in this matter can lead to dire consequences, even death.

Indications for use

Massage can be prescribed in case of problems with urination due to the following reasons:

• lesions of the nerves of the hind limbs (paralysis, paresis, etc.), often resulting from injuries;
• infectious or inflammatory diseases of the urinary system (urolithiasis, cystitis);
• congenital abnormalities in the development of the urinary tract;
• overexcitation in uncastrated cats, when significantly enlarged gonads clog the urethra.

For neurological damage to the limbs, the veterinarian usually prescribes constant manual emptying of the bladder; for other cases when the pet is unable to urinate on its own (for example, in the case of urolithiasis), the cause of this phenomenon should first be identified and eliminated.

Problems with urination become immediately noticeable. They manifest themselves in the form of the following symptoms:

• the animal spends a lot of time in the tray, but no urine is released at all or only a small amount is released, and the cat behaves restlessly at this time, sometimes meowing;
• the cat may try to urinate in different places in the house;
• appetite noticeably decreases or disappears;
• the pet becomes lethargic or, conversely, restless, and tends to limit any movements.

To determine the degree of bladder filling you need:

1. Place the cat on a hard surface on all fours, gently holding it under the belly so that the hind limbs are closer to the owner.
2. Place your hands on the back so that the thumbs are on the pet's croup, and the rest are palpating the abdomen in the area of ​​the urinary canal.
3. If during the procedure the pet tries to escape and becomes nervous, this indicates the presence of unpleasant sensations.
4. Detection during palpation of a soft compaction the size of a walnut, in which liquid rolls freely under the fingers, indicates daily urinary retention, while a more elastic compaction the size of a tennis ball is a sign of absence of urination for more than two days. If the lump is larger and hard to the touch, this is a signal to urgently contact the veterinarian, since in this case you will most likely have to use a catheter for emptying.

Procedure for massage

Before starting the procedure, you need to calm your pet with gentle words or stroking the head. At the same time, you need to carefully palpate the abdomen to assess the degree of bladder density.

• Place the cat on its back or side, but the procedure can also be carried out in a standing position.
• Check that there are no tiny stones on the penis that could block the passage of urine. If the latter are detected, they must be removed: run your fingers, lubricated with a special gel or soap, from the edge to the base of the genital organ, gently squeezing it.
• Cup your hand and gently massage the bladder, making clockwise circular movements to direct the flow of urine towards the external genitalia. You can also try light pressure on both sides of the bladder with two palms.

Important! In no case should you make strong pressing movements, since any carelessness can lead to rupture of the bladder. The main thing in the massage process is not strength, but the correctness of movements.

• After some time, a small amount of urine will begin to be released, although a small amount of blood will be acceptable. With urolithiasis, accumulations of sand and salts will come out of the body in the form of a white paste.

• If the pet breaks out and scratches, you can ask an assistant to hold the cat by the paws and soothe it by stroking the neck.
• If all manipulations are done correctly, the animal will be able to urinate in the tray. It is important that the bladder is at least 50% empty. If the cat does not resist too much during the massage, you can continue the procedure until it is completely emptied.

For the first time, your pet will probably disapprove of the massage procedure and pressure on the stomach. But it is important to understand that the health and life expectancy of the cat depends on how fully and correctly the procedure is performed, since prolonged retention of urine in the body causes poisoning of the animal.

You can also ask questions to our site's in-house veterinarian, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comment box below.

Manual emptying of the bladder (push-ups, massage, squeezing - soft) is a procedure for emptying your pet's bladder with your hands, using squeezing.

Bladder compression is necessary primarily for cats and dogs with severe paralysis, most often resulting from trauma (vertebral fracture) or intervertebral disc disease. Such animals are usually called “spinals”, “spinals”.

Neurological deficit (grades 4-5-6) is the main reason why constant lifelong mechanical emptying of the bladder can be recommended.
In other cases, when the pet cannot go to the toilet on its own, it is necessary to determine and eliminate the cause by contacting a veterinary clinic.

The need for this procedure is determined by the doctor; squeezing the bladder without knowing the animal’s diagnosis can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.

It is no less dangerous and harmful to leave “everything as is” when the animal needs manual bladder emptying.
If the animal cannot go to the toilet at will and relax the bladder sphincter in a controlled manner, the bladder will overflow and distend (containing today's, yesterday's, and the day before yesterday's urine).
Stagnant urine increases the concentration of salts, which can lead to urolithiasis.
Stagnant urine turns into an excellent environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, which, in turn, through the ureters, due to the overflow of the bladder, along with the urine can enter the kidneys, causing inflammation of the kidneys, which in the absence of timely treatment can lead to death .

Often, the procedure for manually emptying the bladder causes concern among owners, because the efforts that need to be made are quite large and may seem to injure the pet’s bladder.
There is some truth in this; mechanical impact on the bladder from the outside can cause microtrauma to the bladder wall. In animals that have had urine squeezed by hand for a lifetime, a slight thickening of the bladder wall (cystitis) is sometimes normal.
However, this is incomparable to how the bladder of a paralyzed animal is injured and “deteriorated” from overfilling if it is not squeezed out at all (it stretches and becomes atonic),
with the fact that stagnant urine is a favorable environment for the development of urolithiasis and the life of pathogenic bacteria (which can cause kidney damage),
and with urinary dermatitis of animals that occurs during the day from overflow (from constant contact of the skin with stagnant urine, what owners mistakenly call “bedsores” and perceive as the norm for paralyzed animals, in fact, the vast majority of such “bedsores” are urinary dermatitis ).

Many, believing that the ability to go to the toilet on their own will return, are afraid that if they squeeze the bladder, they will deprive the animal of the chance of restoring the ability to do this on its own, and do not squeeze it.
In fact, everything happens exactly the opposite - as a result, after just 2 weeks, in the absence of care, serious inflammation can develop, blood, mucus, and clots appear in the urine.
Imagine the same balloon - if you inflate it slightly, before the walls begin to thin out, and then deflate it, it will look the same as new. But if you inflate it to the end and then deflate it, you get a rag with uneven wall thickness.
If the animal has a chance to restore independent urination, then it is all the more important to keep its bladder healthy, not overstretched, not atonic.

Not all spinal patients are suitable for manual bladder emptying.
There is a dependence on the level of damage (the nervous system of animals is represented not only by the spinal cord, the study of anatomy and pathophysiology is not included in this article, so just remember that the levels of damage are divided by type of upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron, picture for understanding).

With damage of the upper motor neuron type (the conduction pathway from the cerebral cortex to the synapse with the lower motor neuron in the ventral horn of the spinal cord), hypertonicity of the bladder and sphincter is observed, urination is either absent altogether or occurs frequently and in small portions. The cat cannot go to the toilet at will and relax the sphincter in a controlled manner. It is with this type of injury that manual squeezing of the bladder is necessary. In this case, urine can flow out when the bladder is full - its walls stretch to a certain limit, after which urine begins to flow out.
With damage to the spinal cord at the level of the lower motor neurons (ventral horns of the spinal cord, ventral roots and motor fibers of the spinal nerves), the picture is the opposite - there is a lack of tone, externally this is expressed in the constant leakage of urine. Unfortunately, the only way out for such animals is to constantly wear a diaper; manual emptying of the bladder can stop the leakage of urine for a while, but not for long.
The type of damage and the prognosis for restoration of the ability to urinate independently are determined by the doctor after a neurological examination.

Often, owners of animals for whom manual bladder emptying is indicated perceive leakage from overflow as spontaneous urination.
When a cat or dog leaves drops of urine behind during active movements, the owners may think that since something is leaking out of the animal on its own, it means that it has no problems with urination and there is no need to manually empty the bladder.
This is quite easy to check - it is enough that immediately after the animal defecates (or supposedly defecates), an experienced doctor checks by touch how much urine is left in the bladder, and if after leakage the bladder is full or even more so, then the animal needs to manually squeeze out the urine.
An even more reliable way of checking would be an ultrasound immediately after the animal has left drops or puddles of urine behind.
Even if you have to travel several hours to the clinic on the other side of the city, when you empty your bladder on your own on an ultrasound, you should see a small, almost round ball that may contain no more than 1-2 ml of urine.
If there is more urine, then the animal needs to manually squeeze out the urine.
In addition, if we are talking about normal urination even in an animal with paresis, then this can look in only one way - the pet maintains its usual habitual intervals between urination, tries to take a pose, do it in a familiar place.
That is, if a dog went to the toilet 3 times a day, then it will go to the toilet 3 times a day, if the cat was trained to the litter box, it will at least try to crawl to the litter box, and even with a paralyzed pelvis, animals that have retained the ability to to voluntarily urinate, they try to take a physiological position (they most likely will not succeed, but nevertheless).

How to squeeze the bladder.

The procedure can be carried out either on a lying animal or on its paws and supported. Run your hands over your pet's belly from where the ribs end to the tail. The bladder feels like an inflated balloon sliding between your fingers. Apply gentle pressure to the bladder on either side of your abdomen, using your entire palm to maintain equal pressure. You can try squeezing from both sides with two palms, find the most convenient way for you. The flow of urine should be steady.
This procedure is sometimes called bladder massage. However, the word massage here is not entirely correct - to properly empty the bladder, it is pressure that is required, and not stimulation of the walls; independent urination will still not happen.
You can ask a specialist at your veterinary clinic to show you how to properly carry out this procedure.
To better imagine the sensations, fill a balloon with water - a little, and put it under the blanket, and then try to feel and squeeze it from the outside.
It is necessary to squeeze out urine 2-4 times a day, according to the doctor’s recommendations. At first, cats may be very disapproving of pressure on the abdomen, but remember that the health, quality and life expectancy of a cat with paralysis depends on how fully the procedure is carried out.
Manual squeezing of the bladder is a fairly simple procedure, and unless the animal has an advanced case, caring for it will be only slightly more difficult than for a healthy animal, and life with such a pet can be absolutely comfortable for the owner.

In cats, as in people, atony refers to dysfunction of the striated or smooth muscles of organs, including the bladder. Simply put, the animal is unable to control urination, which causes a lot of inconvenience for the owner and pain for the pet itself. Fortunately, bladder atony in cats can be successfully treated without relapse with proper care and prevention. Below we will tell you how to recognize signs of atony in a cat, what factors cause this disease, as well as treatment and preventive measures.

Bladder atony in a cat: symptoms and treatment

There are many factors that result from dysfunction of the bladder muscles, and many of them are associated with improper husbandry of cats. First of all, atony is provoked by excessive or poor-quality feeding. If an animal regularly receives food poor in nutrients, the diet does not include fiber and coarse carbohydrates, intestinal motility weakens and is disrupted, and then “pulls” a decrease in the motility of the muscles of the adjacent bladder.

Despite the fact that some cat owners disdain dry commercial foods, pets receiving these holistic or super premium foods almost never suffer from diet-related bladder atony.

Also, atony can occur due to the cat’s advanced age, when the muscles begin to work worse and become worn out. This factor is directly related to how the animal ate throughout its life and how attentive the owner was to his mustachioed friend. The best prevention of age-related bladder atony in a cat is proper care from a very early age.

Physiological causes that cause bladder atony are identified. This can be stones and sand in the bladder cavity, in cats - inflammation of the prostate gland, untreated cystitis and urethritis. Inflammation of the bladder due to hypothermia or infectious diseases is also a direct path to atony if the owner did not notice the problem in time and did not take measures for treatment.

Atony can also be caused by injuries to the spine or groin area, as a result of which the innervation of the nerve endings in the walls of the bladder is interrupted. If an animal falls out of a window, becomes the victim of an aggressive dog, or gets hit by a car, the consequences can include more than just external damage.

Bladder atony in cats: symptoms

The weakening of the functions of the bladder muscles in cats manifests itself clearly, but develops quickly. First of all, the owner may notice that the cat’s appetite has decreased, the animal has become lethargic, and has become less likely to go to the toilet. A cat can come to the litter box many times a day, but urinate every other time, sometimes there is no urination at all.

Urine accumulates in the organ, causing severe intoxication, and ultimately the animal may die due to a ruptured bladder. In acute cases, only 20-25 hours may pass from the exacerbation of the disease to the death of the cat. But, as a rule, such a rapid development of the disease is unusual for domestic cats, and the owner has enough time to help the pet.

It is very easy to discover that something is wrong with a cat. At the onset of atony, the animal will appear restless, often going to the litter box, trying to go to the toilet. It can be seen that the pet is straining, looking for a comfortable position, but urination does not occur. As a rule, with atony, a few drops are poured out, and the urine often contains an admixture of blood or takes on a pink tint.

After several attempts to visit the toilet, the cat will most likely lie down next to you, since constant movements cause her discomfort. At this moment, the pet will not be happy about affection from the owner, the cat may scream if a person tries to pick it up, and when trying to disturb the cat, the owner must understand: at this moment, urination may occur involuntarily.

Diagnosis and treatment of bladder atony

At the first symptoms indicating problems with the bladder, the animal should be taken to a veterinary clinic. The veterinarian will examine the cat, palpate the bladder, prescribe urine and blood tests, and an ultrasound of the abdominal organs. These studies are often sufficient to make a diagnosis.

The main danger of bladder atony is the possibility of organ rupture, followed by the inevitable death of the animal. Therefore, if there are signs of a full bladder (easily determined by manual examination of the animal), the veterinarian will insert a catheter through which the accumulated urine will come out. This procedure can be painful for the animal, so it is often done under sedation or complete anesthesia.

The catheter can be left in place for some time while the disease is being treated, since the bladder will overflow and constantly threaten the pet’s life. Usually, owners are advised to put a special diaper on the cat while the catheter is worn. This is due to the fact that the catheter does not allow the animal to regulate urination - it simply drains urine as soon as it accumulates.

Cats quickly get used to wearing a diaper, and this measure allows not only to maintain hygiene in the apartment or other room where the animal lives, but also helps the pet itself not to get dirty. After all, you only need to wear diapers for a few days.

Treatment will be individual in each case, however, there are effective and proven drugs that are usually included in the therapeutic method for treating bladder atony. Please note that in no case should you self-medicate, since not only the choice of medication is important, but also its dosage, regimen and duration of administration.

Table. Drugs that treat bladder atony in cats

Important point! Bladder atony in cats is a serious disease, delaying treatment of which is dangerous for the pet’s life. At the same time, only a veterinarian in a clinical setting has the right to make all decisions regarding therapy and other medical procedures.

Video - Manual bladder emptying in a cat

Prevention of bladder atony in cats

Each owner of a domestic cat can make his or her contribution to the prevention of such an unpleasant disease as bladder atony. You don't need to do anything special to prevent illness. It is enough to provide the animal with the right diet, excluding cheap factory feed, “naked” meat and fish (the addition of fiber and carbohydrates is mandatory), and promptly treat the cat if it is sick with something (especially an inflammatory or infectious disease).

The cat needs to be provided with constant access to clean water (in regions where tap water flows from the tap containing many salts or metals, filtered or bottled water should be used). It is important to protect your pet from possible injuries: do not let him go outside unattended, do not leave windows open.

Summarizing

As soon as the owner realizes that the cat is not able to go to the toilet on its own, he should immediately make an appointment with the doctor. Let us remind you that bladder atony can progress to a severe form within a day and cause the death of the animal. To prevent this from happening, you need to show your pet to a specialist who will determine the cause of the pathological process, provide first aid to the cat and prescribe an effective treatment regimen.