The presence of blood in the cat's urine is a symptom that often frightens owners very much and, most of the time, with good reason. hematuria, as it is called in medical parlance, is a clinical sign that can be related to numerous pathologies and that requires immediate evaluation by a veterinarian.
In order to inform you and alert you to what may be happening to your feline, in this article on our site we will talk about the main causes of the appearance of blood in its urine. Pay attention to your cat's behavior and watch for any other symptoms. Communicate all the details to the veterinarian to help identify the cause early and contribute to recovery. Keep reading if you want to know why my cat urinates blood, the causes and the treatments.
What is hematuria?
As stated above, the presence of blood in the urine (red blood cells) is medically referred to as hematuria. However, it is similar to the presence of hemoglobin in the urine, which is known as hemoglobinuria. Hemoglobin is the pigment that the red blood cell has inside, so it has to be broken down previously and massively and be filtered by the kidney to be eliminated through urine. It is necessary to distinguish one case from another and this is done through a urinary analysis of the cat that only the vet can perform.
Why is my cat peeing blood?
There are multiple pathologies that can manifest with hematuria and hemoglobinuria. Whenever trying to reach a diagnosis, the most probable causes are usually considered first. However, keep in mind that these may vary depending on the cat's age, diet or lifestyle. In addition, it is common for hematuria to be accompanied by other clinical signs depending on the cause that originates it. So, if you wonder why my cat urinates blood and vomits, urinates less, seems in pain, has stopped eating, is listless, etc., it may be due to one of these most likely causeswhich we review below.
Injuries
It is common for a cat that has fallen from a considerable height, in addition to other trauma, to present a small hemorrhage in the bladder due to the impact. In these cases, it is always necessary to go to the veterinarian to carry out a complete examination that assesses the injuries that the animal presents and can prescribe an appropriate treatment for each of them.
Infections
We are referring above all to cystitis, a relatively frequent pathology in cats, as well as balanitis in males (penis infection). Due to the crouched position that these animals adopt to urinate, the anogenital area can be stained, which serves as a penetration route for different pathogens that can end up producing the appearance of blood in the urine. In long-haired cats it is usually more common. Any discomfort in urination is a reason for consultation with the veterinarian. In addition to pharmacological treatment, it is important to determine the cause and encourage the cat to drink more water.
Bladder stones
In the case of cats, because they are animals that usually drink little water, if the food is not moist and slightly acidic, they can gradually form uroliths or urinary stones. These rub and erode the entire mucosa of the urinary tract, causing small hemorrhages that we can see in the urine. A balanced diet and, again, an increase in fluid intake are part of the treatment, which may also include drugs considered by the veterinarian.
Problems with long hair
In long-haired cats it is very important to ensure that it does not wrap around the penis of males, since it could lead to infections and even necrosis in the area. If you suspect that this is what is happening to your cat, you should go to the vet immediately. With care, as a hygienic and preventive measure, we can trim the longest hairs in this area, also in females.
Hematic parasites
This type of parasite is usually a protozoa that is transmitted by fleas or ticks. When they massively destroy red blood cells, in addition to causing anemia, they can lead to hemoglobinuria. In these cases, not only do you have to go to the veterinarian to treat the symptoms that the cat presents, but you also have to implement a regular deworming schedule, even if the cat does not have access to the outside, to avoid infestations.
Bladder tumors
They are not very common in cats, but they can occur. They usually occur in older animals and, due to the infiltration of tumor tissue in the bladder wall, they can lead to profuse bleeding. In these cases, treatment depends on multiple factors and may include chemotherapy or surgical removal of the neoplasm.
Viral diseases
Some of the most well-known viral diseases in cats cause immunosuppression, such as feline immunodeficiency. In other words, the affected cat is usually less resistant to other diseases of bacterial origin. That is why it is easier for him, for example, to suffer from cystitis that causes hematuria. Some viral pathologies can be prevented by administering vaccines. In any case, treating each new pathology that arises from the first moment and offering the cat a good quality of life, reducing any stress, are key to treatment.
Pyometra
In the case of non-neutered females, pyometra, which is an infection located in the uterus, can occur with the expulsion of hemorrhagic-purulent material through the genital opening, being dragged through the urine. It is a disease that requires veterinary treatment as soon as we detect the first sign. The usual thing is to perform a surgical operation to remove the uterus. Due to this and other he alth problems, castration of female cats is recommended.
What to do if my cat urinates blood?
If you wonder why my cat pees with blood, after seeing the main causes of hematuria you can realize how important it is to go to a specialistto find out and be able to solve your doubt. It will be the veterinarian, through the information provided by the caretaker, the examination carried out on the animal and other diagnostic means, such as urine and blood tests, X-rays or ultrasounds, who will determine the disease suffered by the cat and choose the most suitable treatment.
Remember that offering the cat the basic care it needs and providing it with adequate food can help significantly to prevent the appearance of pathologies that cause hematuria. Likewise, especially if the feline is elderly, it will be important to keep its vaccination and deworming schedule up to date.
