A cat who has difficulty urinating or if there are trace of blood in the urine, probably has urinary track illness or disease. Be watchful and alert. Eliminating the unbalance in your cats body: a retention of urine can poison their entire system. If you are doubtful, immediately consult your veterinarian. A simple external examination is not always conclusive. This is why all indications on the cats behaviour at home is useful to making the diagnosis. The veterinarian will try to obtain a small quantity of urine. To analyse the urgency or the bladder, or the might empty the catheter might be necessary. The simplest way is to bring a urine sample yourself if possible. Complementary examinations are often required: analysing the blood for infections or inadequate renal, ultrasound or x-rays to examine the urinary track.

The cystitis

The symptoms:
The most frequent problem with the bladder and the urinary track in cats is infection. The infection ascents down the urethra to the bladder, causing an inflammation (cystitis). A females urethra is shorter than the males, the females have an advantage to predispose. The inflamed bladder wall becomes irritated, giving the cat the urge to urinate, even if her bladder is empty. The inner walls of the bladder may also bleed. If the cat is not treated, there's a risk of bacterial infection spreading to the urethra which carries the urine from the kidneys to the bladder, and also affects the kidneys. This can become fatal.

The treatment:
Most mild infections can be treated with antibiotics, it's advised to taken action quickly, to reduce the risk of a relapse, follow the treatment to the end even if the symptoms disappear. Encourage your cat to drink, this will help to get rid of the infection in the urinary track. For example, you could add a bit of salt to his food. Your veterinarian will advise you.

Calculus:
The cats urinary track can suffer other more fatal illnesses. The lower urinary track infection (feline urology syndrome) mainly affects the makes. The causes are also bacteriological which crystallise in an alkaline urine. In that case, the urine is concentrated and the cells form granular crystallised deposits or tiny calculus which block the urethra. This is usually limited to makes; if this residue blocks, the cat will be unable to urinate. This is a medical emergency.

Tumours:
Polypus or tumours at the bladders entrance can provoke pain when the cat urinates. Tumours often lead to ulcers and bleed. Partial or complete obstructions of the urinary track must be removed, however, certain tumours are incurable. The treatment may be a diet.

Prevention of urinary illness

It's important that you guarantee that your cat always has fresh water especially if you feed him dehydrated food since. Most cats prefer to drink outside, their water bowl show always be full. Low magnesium cat food exists, which permits the urine to acidify, also decreasing the formation of crystals. A cat who usually goes outside, but who doesn't like the cold are particularly prone to crystals in the winter. Evidently, they have the tendency of over loading their bladders. If this is the case, make sure that he goes outside regularly or keep a litter box inside at his disposal. An accident or a fall can cause the bladder to rupture, and if not quickly detected, can cause serious problems.


Important questions

  • There are traces of blood in the urine?

  • The cat urinates often and in small quantities?

  • Are there traces of urine or blood in the house?

  • The cat urinates in unusual places?

  • Does he seen disturbed or uncomfortable?

  • Does he lick the genital area often?

  • Is his penis often visible?

  • Does he drink more than usual?

  • Does he seen to be in a state of lethargy?

  • Have a loss of appetite?

  • Does he black out or paint?










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