Cats which, for some reason, hold their urine for long periods, ie. Neutered male cats are the most likely to develop blockages in the urethra, the tube which runs from the bladder to the penis. But the condition can also occur in un-neutered males and females. The urethra is longer and narrower in males than females, which seems to increase the risk of it becoming blocked by inflammation or stones in the urine. The disease is more common in young cats and the risks decrease with age.
Affected cats are often between two and six years old.
Your cat may look as if it is straining and may cry out in pain or lick around its bottom or penis area. The discomfort may cause changes in its toilet habits and a normally reliable cat may try to go to the toilet in the wrong place. If there is a total blockage of its tubes, pressure can build up in the bladder causing it to burst. A complete blockage is an emergency and your vet will have to act fast. At first your cat may only seem mildly depressed with occasional vomiting but within 48 hours it could have lapsed into a coma and died.