Male cat of 3 years now screams as he struggles to pee, lciks his willy all the time, his urine is sticky and creamy at times. Vet given antibiotics. Exray reveals nothing. he is passing a creamy stuff

Male cat of 3, now screams & he struggles to pee & pees sometimes outside of his litter tray. His urine is sticky towards the end of the stream. His appetite is not affected. His ex ray came back clear.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Your cat may have Feline urologic syndrome (aka: sterile cystitis or interstitial nephritis).  

The disease can be quite serious in male cats because their urethra's are so narrow that they can get blocked quite easily from cellular debris.  Blockage of the urethra can cause the urinary bladder to rupture.  The disease can occur with or without bacteria and crystals.

Some of the methods of  preventing and treating this disease are as follows:

1.keep your cat very well hydrated by feeding your cat only wet food or canned food.  And, by increasing the consumption of fluids.

2. Place Cosequin or a powdered feline glucosamine supplement on your cats food twice daily.

3. Place an open cranberry capsule on the food. This can be a human product for urinary tract health.  One capsule emptied on food per day, or 1/2 capsule twice daily.

4. Giving the cat amitriptyline medication once daily.  This medication is a stress reliever in cats.  Feline urologic syndrome has been shown to be caused by stress in some cases.  It is available by prescription by your vet.

5. Give the cat sub-cutaneous fluid therapy if the cat cannot be completely hydrated by dietary factors.  This is performed at your vet's office, and can be taught to an owner to perform at home if deemed necessary by the vet.

6.  Bethanechol, a medication that relieves urination difficulties, may have to be given.

7.  A special urinary health diet may be necessary.  This is available from your vet.

8.  The Chinese herbal formula: Eight Righteous is very helpful.  This is available as teapills online.  The dose is 3 teapills orally twice daily.

Occasionally a urinary catheter must be placed for a couple of days to make sure that a male cat doesn't get blocked and the urethra remains open.

If a cat gets blocked repeatedly he may need a surgery to make a new urethral opening.  This surgery is called a penile urethrostomy.  The penis is removed and a new urethra is made.  The new opening is much like a female cat's urethra.  Re-blocking is not possible after this surgery, so the problem is cured.  This surgery is only performed in extreme cases.