10/14/2026
Why do some male cats need PU surgery, while female cats usually don’t?
PU surgery, or perineal urethrostomy, creates a new, wider opening for urine to pass through. It is typically recommended for male cats who have had repeated or severe urinary blockages. Male cats are more prone to obstruction because their urethra is long and narrow. Crystals, stones, mucus, or inflammatory debris can become lodged in this narrow passage, making it difficult or impossible to urinate. A complete blockage is a life-threatening emergency.
For Bugsy, this became a decision his family had to make after he reblocked. After discussing his options with his veterinary team, they chose PU surgery to help reduce his risk of future life-threatening obstructions.
Female cats have a shorter, wider urethra, so they are much less likely to develop this type of obstruction and rarely need PU surgery.
PU surgery isn't usually the first treatment for a blocked cat, but for cats like Bugsy who experience recurring blockages, creating a wider urinary opening can help reduce the risk of it happening again.
If you'd like to learn more about PU surgeries, please visit https://anicira.org/can-perineal-urethrostomy-surgery-in-manassas/.