Blockages are more common in male cats fed dry food.

Probably- at least until the crystals dissolve.  Then you should be able to
maintain him on a good commercial canned diet.  Just make sure the vet has
the crystal analyzed before he prescribes a prescription diet.

Years ago, 90% of the crystals were struvite, so, a lot of vets
automatically assume a blocked cat has struvite stones or plugs.  Since
feline diets were reformulated to produce a more acidic urine to dissolve,
the incidence of struvite went down but the incidence of calcium oxalate
went from about 2% to almost 50%.  Calcium oxalate can't be dissolved.  So
if
your cat has CaOx crystals and the vet prescribes a diet to dissolve
struvite, the diet will make matters much worse.  So just make sure you know
which type of crystal your cat has before you begin feeding a prescription
diet.

He was probably straining to urinate.

Absolutely! Its a good thing you caught it quickly- cats with a urinary
tract obstruction can die from acute renal failure if the blockage isn't
relieved within 24-36 hours.  The longer the blockage remains, the more
damage to the kidneys and/or urinary bladder.

Best of luck,

Phil

Hi, Justin;

Your post described my experience exactly. Our cat's blockage developed
the same way and, in getting treatment for him, we heard the same sort
of nonchalant, shrugging explanations. But it's no joke. Please read the
thread "It's academic" in this newsgroup.

Cats given a diet of dry food often don't get enough water, which can
result in their urine becoming concentrated and crystals forming. Since
their urethra is *very* narrow (according to more than one veterinarian)
the crystals can easily block it and even damage it, resulting in
infection.  I was told that PJ would be experiencing the same thing.
Apparently the condition known as a "blocked Tom (cat)" is well-known by
vets and many cat owners.

I can offer two pieces of advice to help Elwood. First, if the vet gives
you medications for him, give him the complete round of meds. PJ seemed
to improve within just a couple days and we stopped. The blockage
returned, he couldn't pee, and finally he was in agony and had to be
catheterized.

Secondly, learn about your cat. Read this and the other cat newsgroups.
'Though I asked too late, I'm  very grateful for the sympathy and
information from people here. This group will be a great place to ask
questions if another cat comes into our lives.

It's easy, if you don't know a lot about your cat, to get steered wrong
when he suddenly has a problem.  There are vets who won't tell you that
they don't particularly care for cats and won't refer you to someone who
does, so I'd say at this point that if you get Elwood back in good
condition, search like hell for good people and resources to help him.
That is critical now.  Phil P., who has also answered your post, knows
where I'm coming from on that. PJ was the sweetest cat in the world (I
bet Elwood is, too), but all I have left of him are photographs.

JPM

Justin, I thought you had Elwood on a premium canned-food diet?
I remember you coming here when you got him and asking lots
of questions. Or was that Jake?

In any case, I will keep your little boy in my good thoughts.

I wish him a speedy recovery and no more pain.

Try not to worry, but do learn all you can . I would be
Googling the f*ck out of "urinary blockage in cats."