Newbie cat lover

Hi all. Found this site while searching for answers about urinary blockage in male cats. Seems this problem is of epidemic proportions. I have had cats for over 50 years. When I was a boy we didn't neuter male cats and only fed them raw food and milk. They were outdoor cats and lived to about 20 yo without any issues (except occassional fights with neighboring cats or raccoons). I never heard of this blocking problem till about 7 years ago when my first neutered male on dry food blocked. Now last week my 2nd neutered male blocked. That's 100% blocking problems I have seen. Not good. Vet bills $5,000 for both combined. This cannot continue this way.

Anyway glad to be a member here and looking forward to many enriching exchanges with other cat lovers here!

Sorry to hear your furbabies are having problems.

As you all too painfully are aware, blockage in a male cat is life threatening.  Diet is usually the culprit.

Here is an article to get you started. 

What did your vet prescribe in so far as food/drugs?

The vet prescribed canned purina st/ox food for now while he recuperates- fortunately he likes it but he has never been picky anyway.

Meds are amoxicillin and prozasin.

He is 3 yo and when he pees he still strains then licks himself - but at least something comes out - though sometimes outside the box. Everyday sees very small improvements. My concern now is that he hasn't pooped in 3 days maybe more. Probably since he is quite lethargic and lays down 90% of the time his intestines are slow.
I saw another post here mentioning cantharis 30c with good results so I am going out now to try and find some.

Thanks for your concern and help.
Z

Antibiotics are notorious for being constipating--or causing diarrhea, just depends upon the cat.

 Is purina st/ox wet or dry, please say wet

Also try to increase his water intake, whether adding water to the wet food, investing in a water fountain (water fountain $50; another blockage, $2,500....) or buying bottled water!

Thanks Ritz - appreciate the responses...

Yes, the purina is wet.   I also have been mixing it up with water and aloe juice to make a sort of porridge or stew.   He licks it up.

Fortunately the water in our area is quite good and I do filter it as well.

Other than the weak urine flow and lethargy he seems in good spirits (purrs when I rub his belly).    The first day back home he was going to the litter box every 10 minutes and straining.   Now 3 days later he doesnt go as frequently - maybe every 2-3 hours - but still weak flow and sometimes goes outside the box (we have puppy training pads all over).

I also started giving cantharis 30c and graphites 6c (for any scarring from the catheter that may have occurred).   Found them at the Vitamin Shoppe chain.

The improvements are small but at least the arrow is pointing in the right direction.

Glad things are pointing in the right direction.

How long has your cat been on the antibiotics?

About 4 days now and probably a couple more while at the vet - not sure though.