Urinary diseases and your cat

The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The development of urinary tract disease in cats is common, however, males have a greater risk of urinary disorders becoming life-threatening if not treated early.

Symptoms of urinary tract disorders can involve one or more of the following signs listed below. It is important to become familiar with the warning signs so your cat can commence treatment as early as possible. Some of the warning signs listed below can be a medical emergency – please contact your Greencross Vets immediately should your cat show these signs.

Warning signs to watch out for:

• difficulty and pain when urinating
• meowing or vocalisation whilst trying to urinate
• frequent attempts to urinate
• urinating small amounts or nothing at all
• blood in the urine
• urinating outside the litter box, whether it be next to the litter box or in another room, shower, beds, shoes etc.
• hard or firm tummy
• excessive grooming of the genital area
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• inflammation around the external genitalia

If your cat is displaying any of these symptoms, please do not hesitate to book an appointment at your local Greencross Vets or contact your local emergency hospital. Acting quickly could save your cats life!

Find A Local EMergency Hospital

Cats most at risk are those that are:

• neutered males
• middle-aged
• overweight
• lack exercise
• have little or no outside access
• eat a predominantly dry diet
• live in a multi-cat household
• in a stressful environment
• have related diseases including diabetes and liver disease
• have previously suffered from a urinary disease

Specific urinary disorders

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is not a single disease, but is used to refer to a number of conditions that affect the urethra and bladder of cats. While certain environmental and lifestyle factors can increase the likelihood, FLUTD can affect all cats, especially those that have become stressed, for example through a sudden change in routine. FLUTD is one of the more common reasons cats are brought to the clinic.

Bladder Stones (Urinary Calculi) can be a component of FLUTD

Like in humans, cats can develop crystals and stones in their bladder and urethra. These are usually caused by an excess of certain minerals in their diet. They may be in the form of a single large stone, or as multiple small stones similar in size to sand or gravel.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is the most common medical disease affecting cats. Around 70% of the kidneys need to be affected before any obvious signs are seen, however, as the damage to the kidneys is generally irreversible, the earlier this condition is treated, the better. If you notice signs of abnormal toileting, increased thirst, poor coat or weight loss in your cat, contact your local Greencross Vets team today.

Vet diagnosis and treatment

In order to provide the proper treatment, your vet will need to diagnose the underlying reason for the urinary tract disease. Based on the symptoms, your vet will need to perform any combination of the following:

• physical examination – a thorough physical examination from nose to tail and everything in between
• urinalysis – this involves collecting a sample of your cat’s urine to assess the pH, urine concentration, and whether there is any blood, protein, glucose, crystals, inflammatory cells or bacteria
• blood test – diagnostic tests like chemistry panels and complete blood count will be performed to determine any abnormalities
• X-rays – a scan of the urinary tract can identify if there are any stones present. Cats will need sedation for this procedure
• ultrasound – your vet may examine your cat’s bladder, kidney and urinary tract for stones and other abnormalities using an ultrasound
• biopsy – a tissue sample of the kidneys, bladder wall or urinary tract may be taken, especially if it is likely the urinary disease is being caused by a tumour

Book an Appointment