Expert: Jessica - 9/25/2011

Question
Our cat had a blockage and red robin was placed and he was sent home,with instructions to flush every eight hours. I was told to remove catherter and when I try to remove it, it won't budge. I now have it pulled out of the penis and it is doubled?kinked and stuck. What can I do. I don't want to harm the cat or his urthre, but it is blocking the opening and he can't GO!!! please help,Rich

Answer
Hi Rich,

I have never in all my time heard of anyone instructed to pull out a catheter at home. In fact, the catheter is typically sutured into the urethra with a couple of loose stitches so that it does not slip out inadvertently. Also, the urethra actually is sort of twisted and kinked in males, which makes both getting the catheter in and removing it rather uncomfortable. For this reason, catheter insertion and removal are very often done under light anesthesia. I would advise you not to tug on the catheter but to get the kitty in to an emergency facility where it can be removed properly, even if you have to travel a bit to get to one. If you can't find one anywhere, get him to the vet first thing in the morning. As long as he has doesn't go more than 24 hours without urinating, he may be uncomfortable, but the condition should not be life-threatening (it may approach a toxic situation if he goes much longer than this).

Good luck!

Jessica