Urinary blockage cleared 2x in last 5 days - going into the box but not peeing

My little man has had a rough week. He was blocked and went into the vet on Monday morning, had the blockage cleared and a catheter put in for 24 hours, then came home Tuesday night at 7. Peed a tbl sppn at 8, 9, 10 and 11 but was crying each time and violently licked at his penis. After that he tried but was unsuccessful, would cry and had spasms. He got so bad so quickly that we had to take him to another vet in the morning (ours was closed) where they readmitted him. They cleared the blockage and had to put a catheter again (48 hours this time). He came home this afternoon and peed at 4:30 but since then I've noticed that he goes into his box and attempts to, but doesn't pee. Is it normal that he would go into the box and not produce? Should I be worried or is this normal? I'm freaking out every time that he may be blocked again.

i would be worried. but if he went at 4:30 pm, you should be ok until the morning. but if you see some of those other signs -- "was crying each time and violently licked at his penis. After that he tried but was unsuccessful, would cry and had spasms." -- i would take him to the emergency vet. he may eventually need PU surgery. 

"

What symptoms will a blocked cat have?

A cat with a urinary blockage will:

• Strain, but produce no urine
• Often vocalize (howl or meow) while trying to urinate
• Lick his genital area
• Often have blood in any urine that is produced
•  

If the cat remains blocked, he will become seriously ill and show:

• Depression
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
•  

Toxins will start to accumulate in the blood within 24 hours of a cat becoming blocked. If the urinary obstruction continues, death can result in a matter of a few days."

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2142&aid=3601

Just after I posted he went into his box and produced approximately 1.5 tbl of urine (I know the exact amount because I'm an inane person who has poured water in every measuring spoon and cup in his litter so I'll know what they look like clumped), but it took him 2 minutes of sitting there to do so. No pain, no crying but after he got out he did lick at himself. I guess my question now is; after this type of procedure is it normal that he would still struggle to pee and sometimes attempt without success?

You mentioned the surgery but when I brought that up with my vet they told me that it's an outdated procedure, contrary to everything I read online. Cost is a major factor for me, because this week alone has cost over $2,000, and from what I hear the surgery is in the $3,000 range. I hate to rush him into surgery if he's blocked again (they've told me there's a 3 strike rule but this week should only count as 1 even though it's 2 separate events) but financially I'm limited. Does surgery give me the best chance at resolving this permanently? 

btw, thank you for responding. 

if you don't have one already, you may want to find a cat-only vet:

http://www.catvets.com/cat-owners/find-vets-and-practices

or find a board-certified veterinary practitioner-feline:

http://www.abvp.com/diplomate

if the surgery is outdated, what did your vet say is the alternative? 

also, link for board-certified small animal internal medicine:

http://www.acvim.org/AnimalOwners/FindaSpecialist.aspx

there are other threads on here about blocked and post-blocked experience. here's one:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/291303/blocked-kitty-recovery-experience

good luck to you

Thank you for the links.

My vet did not suggest an alternative to the PU surgery, she only suggested that there are "better ways." She said normally they consider the "3 strike rule," but didn't mention what would happen after the third time. We're not sure what to do, I think we'll get a second opinion. We haven't had great luck with vets this week and have spent a considerable amount of money trying to take care of this. I felt so horrible for him, he was in so much pain.

What I'm  just worried about now is his continued straining throughout the day since we've picked him up from the vet this afternoon. I've also noticed that he isn't drinking water at all, when he normally drinks quite a bit. I'd hate for him to have to be put through the stress of having a catheter inserted for the 3rd time this week; he is already very swollen.

i'm assuming the vet put him on a prescription urinary diet. all-wet is best. if the prescription is too costly, there are non-prescription alternatives -- Friskies Special Diet or Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health Formula

here's where you can find a board-certified veterinary surgeon, if needed. lots of good info on the site:

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/urinary-obstruction-cats