urinary problems in cats

Content

• Cats' propensity to suffer from urinary problems
• Most common diseases and problems in cats
• DTUIF
• Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (CIF)
• Crystals and stones in urine
• Obstructions in the urethra
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Other urinary problems in cats
• Treatment and prevention of urinary problems in cats

It is not strange that a cat, throughout its life, has some problem in the urinary tract. Due to the stress and pain caused by these types of illnesses, as well as their potential complications, it is important that you, as a tutor or tutor, know which ones clinical signs you should pay attention so that you can go to the vet as soon as possible.

In this article by PeritoAnimal we review the characteristics of feline urinary problems and what measures we can implement to prevent and cure them. Good reading.

Cats' propensity to suffer from urinary problems

Urinary diseases in cats should be a point of attention for keepers, as the species has certain factors that increase its likelihood of developing these diseases. For example, cats come from desert areas and, in the wild, they used to consume prey with a high water content. The result is that the house cats don't drink a lot of water.

When we offer at home a diet composed exclusively of kibble, a food with almost no water content, if the cat continues to drink in small amounts, we will have a feline that urine a few times a day. Low elimination and the formation of concentrated urine favor the development of urinary diseases. In addition, there are other factors that tend to occur in domestic cats that increase the risk of suffering from these pathologies, such as obesity, sedentary life or sterilization.

Most common diseases and problems in cats

Next, we'll talk about the main urinary diseases and problems in domestic cats:

DTUIF

This acronym corresponds to the English expression Feline Low Urinary Tract Disease. That is, it refers to lower urinary tract diseases that affect cats, especially between one and ten years of age. This name includes different pathologies that have in common occurrence in the bladder and/or urethra and cause clinical signs like the following:

• Increased evacuation frequency, that is, the cat urinates more times a day than normal and in small amounts.
• Obvious efforts to urinate. The cat tries to urinate but is unable or only expels a few drops.
• Urine out of the sandbox and in different places in the house, usually on soft surfaces like beds or cold surfaces like bathtubs or sinks.
• Ache, for example, expressed with meowing in the sandbox, on palpation of the lower abdomen, with aggressiveness, restlessness or intense licking in the genital region.
• hematuria, which is the name given to the presence of blood in urine. It is possible to notice fresh blood, darker or sandy urine when crystals are present.
• behavioral changes and other clinical signs may be noticed depending on the severity of the case, such as decay or loss of appetite.
• Lack of elimination of urine. If the cat stops urinating, go to the vet immediately, as this is an emergency and if you do not receive assistance, it can be fatal.

In summary, when detecting any of these clinical signs, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian. This professional is the only one with experience and training, as throughout his career he is updated with the completion of a master's degree in veterinary medicine and participation in conferences and specialized courses, such as examining the cat and performing the respective tests that allow him to arrive diagnosis and establish the treatment of the diseases that we analyze below. They are interrelated and can manifest together.

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (CIF)

It is a bladder inflammation which is called idiopathic because its origin is unknown. Affected cats are known to have a greater stress response, capable of activating the mechanism that causes inflammation and all associated symptoms. Stress would not be the initial cause, but it would perpetuate cystitis. Its diagnosis is made after ruling out other possible causes. Although clinical signs sometimes go away on their own, it is a recurrent disease that will manifest again. It is necessary to consult the veterinarian because it is a painful and stressful condition for the cat. Also, this cystitis can be obstructive. It's a problem that affects both males and females.

Crystals and stones in urine

Without a doubt, this is one of the most common urinary problems in cats. The most common crystals are struvite and calcium oxalate. The biggest problem is that they reach such a size that the cat cannot eliminate them on its own, which can cause an obstruction. Struvite ones can be broken down with a specific food, but oxalate ones cannot. Therefore, if the cat is not able to expel them naturally, they will have to be removed by the veterinarian. Stones are also called uroliths or, popularly, stones. Unlike crystals, their size makes them visible without the need for a microscope.

Obstructions in the urethra

In addition to the calculations, the known urethral tampons they can also cause partial or complete obstruction of the urethra, which is the tube through which urine is discharged from the bladder. Male cats are more likely to suffer from this problem because their urethra is narrower and longer than female cats. Urethral plugs are generally formed by sum of organic and mineral matter. Any suspicion of obstruction is a reason for urgent veterinary consultation. A cat that does not urinate, in addition to suffering, runs the risk of dying, as the functioning of the kidneys is compromised, causing serious changes throughout the body.

Urinary Tract Infections

These types of infections usually show up in old cats or who already suffer from some other condition, such as immunosuppression, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or chronic kidney disease. Even if you think your cat is infected, remember that we must never administer antibiotics on our own. Bacterial resistance is a real problem. Therefore, these medications can only be prescribed by veterinarians.

Both in the case of infections and in the above conditions, the treatment of any urinary problems in cats should be stipulated by a professional.

Other urinary problems in cats

Congenital anatomical defects, interventions such as catheterization, urinary tract injuries, neurological disorders, tumors or even behavioral problems are causes that can also trigger urinary problems, although less frequently.

Treatment and prevention of urinary problems in cats

The veterinarian will prescribe a treatment. according to the urinary disease from which the cat suffers. Treatment should also include measures such as those mentioned below, which also serve to prevent this type of problem from arising or from recurring:

• Increased water consumption. It is necessary to encourage the cat to drink water so that it urinates more and the urine is less concentrated. For this, you can provide several drinking fountains in different locations, resort to the use of fountains, offer broth and, if the cat eats feed, you should also offer it daily, a portion of the feed as wet food, or at least moisten the feed. with water. Make sure he has clean, fresh water available at all times, and if you have more than one cat or other animals, you should ensure that none prevents another from drinking.
• Quality food. An adequate supply of minerals prevents their accumulation, which can lead to the formation of crystals and stones, and maintains an adequate pH in the urine. In addition, there are foods formulated to break down and prevent the precipitation of crystals such as struvite. On the other hand, a balanced diet helps to maintain the cat's ideal weight, preventing obesity.
• A perfect sandbox. a cat will avoid urinating on a dirty tray, too high or too small, closed, with sand that it does not like or that is located in a very noisy place in the house. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the cat has access to the litter box at all times, and that its characteristics, as well as those of the sand, are adequate to its needs.
• stress prevention. Given the sensitivity of cats to any change in their routine, however small, and the impact that stress has on the development of urinary problems, it is essential to keep the animal in a quiet environment that allows it to carry out its natural activities, implement measures of environmental enrichment and introduce any modifications to your home gradually and following the proper presentation guidelines. It is also beneficial to devote time daily to play with the cat, and you can also resort to the use of calming pheromones.

Now that you know the main urinary problems in cats and have seen the forms of treatment, be sure to check out the following video where we talk about the 10 most common diseases in cats:

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to urinary problems in cats, we recommend that you enter our Prevention section.