Urine Trouble

Straining to urinate? Going more frequently? Blood in your pee? I can't help you. (Please go see a human doctor). But I can help if you notice it in your pets!

• The Rule: Cats are not small dogs.

• The Goal: Early detection is crucial. Urinary issues can range from "annoying" to "fatal" depending on who we are talking about.

1. Male Cats: The "Red Alert"

This is a Medical Emergency. If your male cat is vocalizing in the litterbox, straining, or taking a long time to urinate, GO TO THE VET NOW.

• The Anatomy: Male cats have a narrowed, S-shaped urethra.

• The Problem: Sediment or stones can form in the bladder.

  • Like sand, it's coarse and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere.

• The Blockage: If that sand gets stuck, they cannot urinate. This causes acute kidney damage and a buildup of Potassium (K).

• The Fix: An emergency procedure to unblock them. If successful, they will likely need a prescription diet for life.

2. Female Cats: The Stress Cases

While female cats can block, it is rare because their urethra is shorter and wider.

• The Cause: Usually Stress.

• Cats are little aliens that thrive on chaos. If they are stressed, they may urinate on your belongings (like my scrubs after a long shift).

• The Triggers: New pets, dirty litter boxes, moving furniture, or seeing a stray cat outside.

• The Fix: Environmental management (and sometimes anti-anxiety meds).

3. Male Dogs: The "Pissed Off" Bladder

• The Diagnosis: Cystitis (bladder inflammation).

• The Cause: It is often sterile (not an infection), just a "pissed-off" bladder.

• The Signs: Frequent urination, straining, and blood.

• The Test: We use an ultrasound to look for thickening of the bladder wall.

• The Fix: Usually anti-inflammatories (like Carprofen) and rest.

4. Female Dogs: The Usual Suspects

1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• The Cause: Bacteria (rods and cocci) travel up the urethra.

• The Fix: A simple course of antibiotics usually clears it up.

2. Bladder Stones

• Struvite Stones: The most common. These can sometimes be dissolved with a special prescription diet.

• Oxalate Stones: These cannot be dissolved and often require surgical removal.

• The Dalmatian Exception: Dalmatians get their own weird type of stones because... well, they are Dalmatians.

5. The Diabetes Connection

If your pet is drinking and peeing excessively, we also worry about Diabetes.

• The Link: High sugar in the urine creates a "sweet spot" for bacteria to grow, leading to frequent infections.

Urgency Check: Should I run to the ER?

• 🔴 RED LIGHT (Go Now):

  • Male cat straining but no urine coming out.

  • Vomiting + Straining.

  • Crying out in pain while posing to pee.

• 🟡 YELLOW LIGHT (Call Tomorrow):

  • Blood in urine, but flow is normal.

  • Urinating frequently in small amounts (but still producing urine).

  • Having accidents in the house.

Summary: Better Safe Than Sorry

Urine issues are incredibly painful. If you notice your pet having an accident or straining, do not wait. It is always bladder to be safe than sorry. (I had to end on a pun).