What are the most common urinary problems seen in cats?
The most common urinary problems that we see in cats would be urinary tract infections, feline interstitial cystitis (commonly referred to as just cystitis), urinary stones that are either in the kidneys or in the bladder, and urinary obstruction. We see urinary obstruction far more commonly in male cats, where their urinary tract is not open, and the cat is unable to urinate, either at all or in a sufficient amount to be considered normal. So those would probably be my top four urinary problems that are seen in cats.
What signs might indicate urinary problems in cats?
Commonly, cats will show increased interest in going to the litter box and may be getting in and out of the litter box repeatedly or often in a very short period of time. Sometimes they produce urine when they're in the litter box, but it may be a very small amount. Other times they're trying to urinate but can't pass any urine at all, which would be the case with urinary obstruction. Other signs of urinary problems in cats include inappropriate elimination, where cats have accidents or choose to urinate outside of the normal litter box. This can sometimes be associated with blood in the urine, but not always. Sometimes the urine looks perfectly normal, and the cat is urinating outside of the box. Also, if you ever hear your cat crying during the course of trying to eliminate, that's a definite sign there's a problem.
How can a cat owner identify a urinary emergency?
The number one way to tell if your cat's having a urinary emergency is if the cat is unable to produce any urine at all. The cat is in the box straining to urinate, making frequent attempts to do so. Often, when they're blocked, they will be vocalizing because they're in pain and trying to eliminate but can't. It's really important for an owner to pay attention to their cat's litter box habits. If you're noticing frequent attempts to go to the litter box over and over again in a short period of time, and/or if they're crying in the litter box and not producing much urine or any urine at all, that would be considered an emergency, and I would recommend reaching out to get help for your cat at that point in time.
What is the first step in diagnosing urinary problems in cats?
The first thing we would do is a thorough physical exam. If the cat is blocked, we will often be able to feel that the bladder on palpation is very large and hard, as opposed to a very small bladder, which would indicate that the cat probably has some urgency going in and out of the litter box but is not necessarily obstructed and unable to urinate at all. A physical exam is really important and should always be paired with an accurate history from the owner regarding what's been happening at home and what they're seeing with respect to the cat's litter box habits.
How do you determine if there is a problem with the urine?
The best way to determine if there is a problem with the urine itself is to run a urinalysis. We can get urine from a cat in a couple of different methods. Sometimes, if the cat is so irritated, they may urinate on the table during the examination. Other times, we collect the urine directly from the bladder via ultrasound guidance.
What treatments are available for urinary problems in cats?
There are a lot of treatments available, but the short answer is that it depends on what the problem is. Not all cats urinating outside of the litter box are doing so for a medical problem. We need to determine whether inappropriate urination is due to a medical problem or a behavioral problem. If it's a medical problem, treatment will be based on specific needs. For infections, antibiotics would be prescribed. If it's a case of cystitis without an actual infection, we provide supportive care to help reduce inflammation in the bladder lining, making the cat more comfortable and less likely to urinate repeatedly. We may recommend dietary changes to help reduce inflammation and reduce the chances of crystal formation, which can lead to stone formation. Additional fluid therapies and dietary changes might be recommended. It's crucial to encourage cats to drink water or have access to fresh water at all times. Cats are often drawn to moving water sources, so fountains or leaving water trickling at the sink are great ways to encourage more drinking, which helps flush the urinary system.
How do you address behavioral urinary problems in cats?
If we determine that urinary problems are due to a behavioral issue, there are medications available to help the cat. We can also provide environmental enrichment guidelines for owners. Stress is a significant component of urinary problems in cats. Cats become stressed with changes in the household, such as moving the litter box, changing work schedules, or introducing a new baby. Such changes can be highly stressful for cats, causing them to urinate outside the litter box. In these cases, it's usually a behavioral problem. We would give owners guidance on managing the situation, which might include adding additional litter boxes in the household or ensuring litter boxes are in quiet locations away from household noise.
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