Urinary Issues in Cats
By Sarah Hilario, DVM
Many pet owners bring their feline friends to the veterinary hospital for examination due to the common symptom of urinating outside the litter box. Other signs that cats may also show include straining to urinate, a blood tinge to the urine, excessive grooming around the urinary area, or even crying out when urinating. The first thought that comes to most people’s mind is usually a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, UTI’s are actually somewhat uncommon in cats under 10 years of age. Bladder stones, tumors, obstructions of the urinary tract, and any type of inflammation can also cause a cat to urinate inappropriately. Some cats may be exhibiting behavioral problems as well.
The first step that veterinarians will usually perform, after a history and physical examination, is a urinalysis. This test can screen for UTIs, early renal disease, diabetes, and inflammation of the bladder. An abdominal x-ray may also be taken to look for bladder or kidney stones. When extensive testing has been performed and a specific cause cannot be determined, these cats may have a condition called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease or FLUTD. Unfortunately, there is no specific test or cure for this disease yet. Some cat’s symptoms will completely resolve after five to ten days without any specific treatment. However, recurrence is very common. Long term treatment includes decreasing stress in the household, providing extra litter boxes, increasing water intake, and giving oral medications.
The treatment for cats with specific urinary issues depends on the cause. Cats with UTI’s are typically given antibiotics. Bladder stones are sometimes dissolvable with prescription diets, other stones need to be removed surgically. Obstructions of the urinary tract are more common in male cats. These typically require a urinary catheter and several days in the hospital. It is important to remember that most of these conditions are not life threatening except for a blockage. In a male cat that is having urinary symptoms, they need to be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. Urinary issues can be frustrating but with the proper tests and treatment they are very manageable.