Can’t pee, won’t pee: Practical tips for managing the blocked bladder cat
Tracks
Stream Two - Plaza P1 & P2
| Thursday, March 26, 2026 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Plaza P1 & P2 |
Overview
Laura Jones
Speaker
Laura Jones
Veterinary Internal Medicine Nursing
Can’t pee, won’t pee: Practical tips for managing the blocked bladder cat
Abstract
Urethral obstruction is a true veterinary emergency, one that we regularly face as veterinary nurses. These patients can be challenging to manage, but they offer us numerous opportunities to utilise technical skills in their care.
In this lecture, we’ll explore the causes of feline urethral obstruction, how it affects our patients both physically and behaviourally, and the skills we can use to care for these patients effectively. From triage and stabilisation to catheterisation tips, monitoring, fluid and electrolyte balance and owner support, you’ll leave with the practical skills you need to manage these patients well both in practice and at home.
Learning Outcomes:
● Appreciate the common causes of urethral obstruction in cats
● Understand the impact of urethral obstruction on the patient and how this impacts their management
● Understand how to stabilise and unblock these patients effectively
● Appreciate the nursing requirements after catheterisation
● Understand the ongoing care these patients need at home, and how to
support owners to prevent recurrence
In this lecture, we’ll explore the causes of feline urethral obstruction, how it affects our patients both physically and behaviourally, and the skills we can use to care for these patients effectively. From triage and stabilisation to catheterisation tips, monitoring, fluid and electrolyte balance and owner support, you’ll leave with the practical skills you need to manage these patients well both in practice and at home.
Learning Outcomes:
● Appreciate the common causes of urethral obstruction in cats
● Understand the impact of urethral obstruction on the patient and how this impacts their management
● Understand how to stabilise and unblock these patients effectively
● Appreciate the nursing requirements after catheterisation
● Understand the ongoing care these patients need at home, and how to
support owners to prevent recurrence
Biography
Laura started her nursing career in 2007 at a small GP clinic and became a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) in 2010. Over the years, she gained experience in first-opinion, surgical referral, and emergency clinics. In 2015, she joined the internal medicine team at a new referral centre as deputy head medicine nurse. This role sparked her passion for internal medicine, and in 2019, she earned her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) qualification in Small Animal Internal Medicine.
To share her knowledge, Laura created Veterinary Internal Medicine Nursing, a platform offering CPD to registered and student nurses through a website, podcast, and social media. She also lectures internationally, has written for peer-reviewed journals, and launched the Medical Nursing Academy in 2023—a learning platform for nurses passionate about internal medicine.
Despite her many achievements, Laura continues to work as a practicing RVN, dedicated to providing excellent care for her patients and supporting fellow nurses.
