When you find pink or bloody urine in your cat's litter box, don't ignore it!Haematuriacould be a warning sign of a serious health problem. In this article, we will share with youCommon Causes of Haematuria in Cats, Emergency Treatment, Advice on Medical Treatment in Hong KongIt helps cat owners to keep their furry children healthy in a timely manner.
HaematuriaCauses
Often our doctors will consider the problem of bloody urine to be either an inflammation of the bladder (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, FLUTD) or a bladder stone. Inflammation of the bladder is usually associated with frequent urination, low urine output and blood, and can be triggered by stress, bacterial infections or lack of water intake. Stones (e.g. faecaliths or calcium oxalate) can block the urethra, especially in male cats, and if there is a complete failure to urinate, the bladder may be blocked.It could be fatal within 24 hours..
Some stones may originate from the kidneys. When cats do not drink enough water, the urine produced by kidney filtration will be highly concentrated, resulting in an increase in the concentration of minerals in the urine (e.g. calcium, magnesium, phosphate, etc.). These oversaturated minerals will form tiny crystals in the kidneys, which will continue to accumulate and grow as the urine flows into the bladder, eventually forming stones. When the stone moves in the bladder, it will rub against the bladder mucosa and cause mechanical damage, resulting in rupture of the submucosal microvessels, which is the main cause of haematuria.
Normally, we'd be happy if our cat peed, but it's not always that simple.
Haematuria may cause urinary tract obstruction in cats.
When cats with haematuria are left untreated, the crystals in the urinary tract will continue to accumulate and increase in size. This, coupled with the inflammatory reaction that causes the urethral mucosa to swell, narrows the already small diameter of the urinary tract even further.
These crystals, when mixed with secretions (e.g. mucus, cellular debris) produced by inflammation, tend to accumulate in the smaller parts of the urethra (especially the male cats.) to form a blockage.
Once it is completely blocked, urine cannot be discharged, which will lead to over-distension of the bladder and may even lead to life-threatening acute kidney injury.
Therefore, if you find your pet with haematuria please seek medical attention immediately to avoid an emergency situation that could deteriorate into a urinary tract obstruction.
If your cat is unable to urinate, please arrive at the hospital as soon as possible, within 24 hours, and refer your cat to a veterinary surgeon immediately. The veterinarian will first sedate the cat with anaesthesia. This step is crucial because anaesthesia allows the cat's urethral muscles to completely relax, especially the tense urethral sphincter, so that a catheter can be inserted safely, avoiding secondary urethral injuries due to the cat's painful struggles.
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Symptoms before haematuria
Cats usually show some haematuria before they show somesubtle symptoms that can be easily overlookedIf the problem is detected early, it can be prevented from deteriorating into a serious problem.
1)Frequent Litter Boxes: Squatting sand several times over a short period of time, but urinating very little each time (perhaps only a few drops)
2)Prolonged urination: Holding a position for a long time and not being able to urinate, or urinating intermittently
3)Pain during urination: howling, licking the urethra, and even avoiding the use of the litter tray!
4)Urine smells bad.: may have a pungent ammonia or fishy odour
If you notice your cat starting to show any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately before it gets worse, as medication is usually all that's needed to help alleviate the symptoms.
Prevention of urinary tract infection
1)Make sure your cat gets enough water every dayThe key to preventing urinary problems in cats is to make sure you drink enough water every day. To prevent urinary problems in cats, it is important to ensure adequate water intake every day. It is recommended that cats need 40-60ml of water per kilogram of body weight, which can be achieved by feeding wet food (with a water content of 70% or above), installing multiple water bowls (ceramic/stainless steel is the best material) and using a pet water dispenser. In particular, male cats, senior cats and cats with urinary problems need to strictly monitor the amount of water they drink. You can observe the size of the clumps in the cat litter (which should be as big as a tennis ball) to determine if the water intake is sufficient.
2)Choose the right cat food.The choice of cat food is crucial to urinary health.Improper diet can lead to crystals, stones and even kidney damageIf you are not sure what to do, it is recommended that you choose the best option for you. If you are not sure what to choose, we recommendconsult your veterinarian directlyThey are able to recommend the most appropriate diet for your cat based on their age, health and special needs.
Haematuria is an important warning sign for your cat's urinary system and can be caused by cystitis, stones, urethral obstruction or kidney disease, especially in male cats due to the narrowness of the urethra, which puts them at a higher risk. If blood is found in your cat's urine, you should seek immediate medical attention to prevent the condition from worsening. Delayed treatment may result in complete obstruction of the urethra, bladder rupture or even acute kidney failure, which can be life-threatening in as little as 24-48 hours.
Early diagnosis and treatment not only reduces your cat's pain, but also avoids costly surgeries and long-term complications.