Whoever has a cat at home knows how careful they are with their personal hygiene, especially when it comes to using their litter box correctly. When your feline messes out of its proper place, this is a sure sign that something is wrong, whether or not it is doing it on purpose.
Keep reading this article on our site to find out everything about urinary incontinence in cats, its causes and treatment.
What do we call urinary incontinence?
This name is given to the inability that the animal develops to control the muscles of the urethra, for which the sphincter does not remain closed, causing the cat to not be able to decide when to urinate, but continually suffer spills or accidental losses.
Incontinence never manifests itself for a casual reason and should not be ignored, as it indicates that something is wrong with the feline's he alth, either emotionally or physically.
When it has been confirmed that it is incontinence and not territory marking, in no case should punishment or reproaches be administered to the pussy, because he does not urinate intentionally. An immediate visit to the vet is necessary to determine the cause of the problem.
How do I know if it is incontinence?
As with any other he alth problem, urinary incontinence is accompanied by several signs that make it unmistakable:
- Drops or pools of urine when the cat gets up
- Wet abdomen and legs
- Strong smell
- Remains of urine in unusual places
- Dermatitis
- Inflammation or skin diseases
- Swelling of the penis or vulva
On occasions, the feline urinates outside his box to indicate that he feels some discomfort, as occurs when he suffers from a urinary tract infection, for example. That is why it is important to distinguish these warnings from the indiscriminate, disorderly and involuntary urination that characterizes incontinence.
What are the causes?
Determining the cause of urinary incontinence can be complicated, as it is a common symptom of different conditions, conditions and diseases. Among them it is possible to mention:
- Advanced age: in cats older than 10 years, incontinence may simply be a sign of old age, as the tissues are not strong enough to control the sphincters.
- Spaying or neutering: due to the suppression of hormones, whether estrogen or testosterone, that these procedures involve, the cat may lose control over its urine.
- Kidney stones in the bladder.
- Bladder tumor: constant pressure and creates an endless urge to urinate.
- Congenital deformities: the bladder or urethra are not positioned where they should be. It manifests itself during the first year of life.
- Diseases such as feline leukemia or diabetes.
- Urinary tract infections: like cystitis, they cause an urge to urinate that the cat cannot satisfy due to the discomfort of the disease.
- Stress caused by changes in the feline's routine (a move, the arrival of a baby or another pet, etc.).
- Trauma to the pelvis, hip, or spine from a fall or a very strong blow, which affects the nervous system.
- Obesity.
- Overactive bladder syndrome.
- Neurological problem.
Diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence in cats
Due to the multiple causes of incontinence, treatments are varied and can only be selected by a veterinary professional. A complete physical exam, urine and blood tests, as well as x-rays, ultrasounds, and other tests, depending on the case, will be performed to pinpoint the cause.
Types of treatment to apply
When it comes to incontinence due to castration or sterilization, for example, hormones are often prescribed to make up for their lack. Antibiotics and other drugs are recommended in case of urinary infections. In the case of a tumor, surgery is prescribed after treatment at home.
In obese cats and cats with kidney stones, a low-fat diet will be recommended, as well as some medications if necessary. If the reason for the incontinence is very serious and no other solution is found, or the feline does not respond as expected to treatments, a catheter or cystostomy tube may be required for life, through which it can drain the urine. However, in most cases the patient usually responds positively to the initial recommendations.
As part of the treatment, it is also recommended a lot of patience on the part of the human owners, to understand the situation the cat is experiencing and help you cope in the best way.
If the incontinence condition is chronic, we suggest:
- Place a greater number of litter trays in the home, to make it easier for the feline to quickly access them.
- Place waterproof cloths or absorbent plastic on the cat's bed, the furniture in the house and other surfaces that are difficult to wash.
- Be patient and don't reprimand the kitty.
- Protect your cat from his own urine to prevent skin infections. Clean his fur when you find it wet or dirty and ask your veterinarian for other recommendations on this matter.
