Urine Trouble
Straining to urinate? Going more frequently? Blood in your pee? I can't help you. But I can if you notice it in your pets! Early detection and treatment of urinary issues in pets are crucial. These issues vary based on the type of animal, and this is another example of the saying cats are not small dogs. I will break up urinary issues by the more common causes in cats vs. dogs and males vs. females. However, each disease is not exclusive to that group.
Male cats: Symptoms such as vocalizing in the litterbox or taking a long time to urinate may indicate a potentially fatal emergency. If you notice these symptoms, you should already be on your way to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian. Male cats have a narrowed, S-shaped urethra, which is a problem if there is a stone or sediment in the bladder. Like sand, it's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere. If a stone or sediment descends from the bladder and becomes stuck, it can cause them to "block," meaning they cannot urinate. Being unable to urinate will cause acute kidney damage. More importantly, the body will be unable to excrete potassium. This build-up of potassium causes cardiac changes and will be fatal if not corrected. K? An emergency procedure to remove said urethral blockage will likely need to be performed to keep your cat alive. If the procedure is successful, your cat will likely have to be on a prescription diet for life and may reblock even with the best efforts.
Female cats: While female cats can block, it is much less likely because they have a shorter urethra without an S shape. One leading cause of urinary issues in both male and female cats is - stress. Cats, being the little aliens they are, may urinate on objects (like scrubs after a day at the hospital) because they thrive off of chaos. Some cats may even need behavioral medications to help with urinary problems. Try to keep track of any changes in the household that may cause increased stress if you begin to notice urinary issues, such as new pets, changes in food, increased travel, etc. Changing the type of litter or location of the litter boxes is frequently a big trigger - you wouldn’t like it if your bathroom suddenly moved, would you?
Male dogs: Cystitis is bladder inflammation that occurs more commonly in male patients. Cystitis can be sterile and not linked to a urinary tract infection (also common in male cats). It's a pissed-off bladder. Cystitis can be painful and is usually treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Rimadyl/Carprofen. While performing a cystocentesis (the process of collecting urine from the bladder for a urinalysis), your vet will likely use an ultrasound machine and may notice a thickening of the bladder's walls, which is a good indication of cystitis. Other symptoms of urinary issues in dogs include frequent urination, straining to urinate, and blood in the urine.
Female dogs: Urinary tract infections are the ’ most common urinary problem. UTIs can vary in severity, and a urinalysis is typically performed to check for white blood cells and two categories of bacteria: rods and cocci (similar to ear infections). Simple UTIs can be resolved with a course of antibiotics. However, more complicated infections that are unresolved may require different medications, diets, or further testing for underlying causes.
Urinary stones are frequently a cause of urinary issues. Urinary stones can be caused by diet or infection. While there are many types of stones, the two most common (except in Dalmatians) are oxalate and struvite. Struvite stones are more common and can sometimes, but not always, be dissolved by feeding strictly a prescription urinary diet. This diet is designed to create an environment in the bladder that discourages stone formation. Oxalate stones are less common and are unlikely to dissolve with any diet change. These stones typically have to be removed surgically, and the patient will likely need to be on a prescription urinary diet for life. Stones cause urinary tract infections, and while the stones are being treated, your pet will likely also be on an antibiotic to treat any underlying infections. An x-ray of the bladder usually diagnoses urinary stones.
Diabetes can also cause urinary tract infections as the increased sugar in the bladder makes an ideal sweet spot for bacteria to grow. Diabetic patients can sometimes have a more challenging time fighting off the infection than an otherwise healthy patient (blog for another day). So keeping a close eye on them and their urinary habits is extra important.
Make sure not to stall discussing your pet's health with your vet. Urine issues can be extremely painful and, if untreated, can lead to kidney infections or even death. It is always bladder to be safe than sorry.
