It is not strange that our cat, throughout his life, presents some problem in the urinary tract. Due to the stress and pain caused by this type of disease, as well as its potential complications, it is important that, as caregivers, we know what clinical signs to pay attention to in order to go to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
In this article on our site, in collaboration with Tech, we review the characteristics of feline urinary problems and what measures we can implement to prevent and cure them. Tech is a digital university that offers us the possibility of specializing in any of the existing areas by completing a veterinary master's degree or courses, which are taught online or blended.
Cats prone to urinary problems
Urinary diseases in cats should be a point of attention for caregivers, because in this species there are certain factors that increase the probability of developing these diseases. For example, cats come from desert areas and in nature used to consume prey with a high water content. The result is that domestic cats don't drink too much When at home we also offer them a diet made up exclusively of feed, a food with hardly any water content, if the cat continues to drink small amounts, what we get is a feline that urinates a few times a dayLow elimination and the formation of concentrated urine favor the development of urinary diseases. In addition, there are other factors that usually occur in domestic cats and that increase the risk of suffering from these pathologies, such as obesity, sedentary life or sterilization.
Most common diseases and problems in cats
Below, we name the main diseases and urinary problems in domestic cats:
FLUTD
These abbreviations correspond to the expression in English feline low urinary tract diseases. In other words, they refer to the lower urinary tract diseases that affect felines, especially between one and ten years of age. This denomination encompasses different pathologies that have in common that they occur in the bladder and/or in the urethra and cause clinical signs such as the following:
- Increased voiding frequency, that is, the cat urinates small amounts more times a day than normal.
- Obvious efforts to urinate. The cat tries to urinate, but cannot or only passes a few drops.
- Urine outside the sandbox and in different places in the home, often on soft surfaces, such as beds, or cold surfaces such as bathtubs or sinks.
- Pain, for example, expressed with meows in the litter box, on palpation of the lower abdomen, with aggressiveness, restlessness or intense licking of the genital area.
- Hematuria, which is the name given to the presence of blood in the urine. You may notice fresh blood, darker or gritty urine if crystals are present.
- You may notice Behavioral changes and other clinical signs depending on the severity of the case, such as listlessness or loss of appetite.
- No urine output. If the cat stops urinating, go to the vet immediately, as it is an emergency. Not receiving assistance can be fatal.
In short, if we detect any of these clinical signs we should go to the vet. This professional is the only one who has the experience and training, since throughout his career he is updated by completing a veterinary master's degree and attending conferences and specialized courses, such as examining the cat and doing the pertinent tests that allow us to reach the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases that we review below. They are interrelated and can occur in combination.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)
This is a inflammation of the bladder which is called idiopathic because its origin is unknown. It is known that affected cats have a greater response to stress, capable of activating the mechanism that causes inflammation and all the associated symptoms. Stress would not be the initial cause, but it would perpetuate cystitis. Its diagnosis is reached after ruling out the other possible causes. Although sometimes the clinical signs subside on their own, it is a recurrent disease that will manifest itself again. It is necessary to consult with the veterinarian because it is a painful and stressful condition for the cat. Also, this cystitis can be obstructive. It is a problem that affects both males and females.
Crystals and stones in the urine
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most common urinary problems in cats. The most common in cats are struvite and calcium oxalate The biggest problem is that they reach such a size that the cat cannot eliminate them by itself, which can lead to obstruction. The struvite ones break down with a specific food, but the oxalate ones do not, so if it is not possible for the cat to expel them naturally, they will have to be removed by the veterinarian. Calculi 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 stones, the well-known urethral plugs can also cause partial or total obstruction of the urethra, which is the tube by which urine is eliminated from the bladder. Male cats are more likely to have this problem because their urethra is narrower and longer than that of females. Urethral plugs are formed, in general, by the sum of organic and mineral matter Any suspicion of obstruction is cause for urgent veterinary consultation. A cat that does not urinate, in addition to suffering, runs the risk of dying, since the functioning of the kidneys is compromised, causing serious alterations throughout the body.
Urinary Tract Infections
This type of infection usually appears in elderly cats or in cats that already suffer from some other pathology, such as immunosuppression, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or chronic kidney disease. Although we think that our cat has an infection, we must remember that in no case should we administer antibiotics on our own. Bacterial resistance is a real problem. Therefore, these drugs can only be prescribed by veterinarians.
Both in the case of infections and in the previous conditions, the treatment of any of the urinary problems in cats should be stipulated by a professional.
Other urinary problems in cats
Anatomical birth defects, interventions such as catheterization, injuries to the urinary tract, 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 vet will prescribe a treatment to follow according to the urinary disease our cat suffers. This must include measures such as those mentioned below, which, in addition, also serve to prevent the emergence or recurrence of this type of problem:
- Increased water consumptionWe must encourage our cat to drink, so he will urinate more and the urine will be less concentrated. To do this, we can provide him with different drinkers placed in different places, resort to the use of fountains, offer him broths and, if he eats fodder, we will also have to give him, every day, a part of the ration in the form of wet food or, at least, moisten the feed with water. It is necessary to ensure a constant supply of clean and fresh water and, if you have more than one cat or other animals, it must be controlled that one prevents the other from drinking.
- Quality nutrition An adequate intake of minerals prevents their accumulation, which can lead to the formation of crystals and stones, and maintains adequate pH in the urine. In addition, there are foods formulated to break up and prevent the precipitation of crystals such as struvite. On the other hand, a balanced diet helps maintain the ideal weight of the cat, avoiding obesity.
- Perfect litter box A cat will avoid urinating in a dirty tray, too high or too small, closed, with litter that is not to your liking or that it is located in an excessively noisy part of the house. Therefore, it is essential to ensure access to the sandbox at all times and that its characteristics and those of the sand are appropriate to their needs.
- Stress prevention Given the sensitivity of cats to any change in their routine, no matter how 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 environmental enrichment measures and introduce any modifications to its home gradually and following appropriate presentation guidelines. It is also beneficial to dedicate some time to play daily and you can also resort to the use of calming pheromones.
