The common symptoms of urinary tract disease in cats, dogs and rodents:
straining to urinate and passing little or no urine - this can indicate blockage and requires immediate veterinary attention!
increased frequency and urge to urinate
blood in the urine (haematuria) or cloudy
incontinence
inappropriate urination (in the wrong place!)
pain/vocalising when urinating
excessive licking/grooming of genitals
pain on palpation of abdomen or lower back
lethargy
As these symptoms can be similar across various urinary tract diseases, it is important to have your pet assessed and urine analysed by your veterinarian to determine the cause of the abnormality. Contact us immediately if your pet is straining to urinate and passing little or no urine - this can be life threatening!
Below are common urinary tract diseases we see at The Ark. The above symptoms can be seen in all of these diseases, unless otherwise stated.
Urinary Tract Infection
Like humans, your pet can contract a urinary tract infection (UTI). Generally, the immune system protects the urethra and bladder from bacterial invasion through natural defences but stress or illness can degrade immune defences and allow the bacterial populations to multiply.
We will require a urine sample from your pet to determine concentration and detect presence of blood, proteins, glucose, ketones and crystals of some types of salts known to be associated with urinary tract inflammation. It is best to collect this sample directly from the bladder with a needle (cystocentesis), however a clean, mid-stream voided sample can also be used.
Most infections are caused by the E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Proteus spp. (petmd.com) and will respond well to a course of antibiotics. In recurrent UTI's, a sample may be sent to an external pathology lab for bacterial culture and sensitivity to determine the specific bacteria responsible for the infection, ensuring the correct antibiotics are prescribed.
Incontinence
Desexed female dogs are the most common patients diagnosed with incontinence, usually when they are relaxed or sleeping . Wet bedding or staining, and excessive licking and cleaning around the genital area are usually the first signs noticed by owners. A urine sample will be requested to rule out urinary tract infection. Loss of bladder sphincter tone is usually the cause and an inexpensive hormonal tablet will help rectify this issue and patients are highly likely to remain continent when on the treatment at a low maintenance dose.
Crystalluria
Crystals in the urine (crystalluria) can increase chances of bladder stone (urolith) formation. There are various types of crystals found in pets urine, with struvite and calcium oxalates being the most clinically prevalent.
Struvite (triple phosphate) crystals
Crystals formed out of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate have a 'coffin-lid' appearance, and are most likely to appear in alkaline urine. In dogs, urease-producing bacteria, which produce alkaline urine (usually Staphs and Proteus species and sometimes Streps, Klebsiella and some other bacteria) predispose the patient to struvite stone formation. They can be found in healthy patients but when found in vast amounts, often are an indication of a concurrent bacterial infection, and increase the risk of bladder stone (urolith) formation. (Source: http://www.ctdslab.co.uk/triplephosphate.html). Commercially prepared urinary diets like Royal Canin Urinary S/O or Hill's c/d actively dissolve these crystals and reduce the likelihood of reformation of these crystals. Unlike in dogs, over 90% of struvite uroliths in cats are sterile and are thought to be metabolic in origin. Calcium Oxalate Crystals
Highly concentrated or acidic (less than urine pH 6.5) urine and use of antibiotics which impact the intestinal gut flora Oxalobacter formigenes (whose sole nutrient is oxalate) can influence calcium oxalate crystal formation. Other contributing factors to the formation of Calcium Oxalate include hypercalcaemia, the use of furosemide, glucocorticoids and hyperadrenocorticism. Some male dogs in some breeds are more predisposed to Calcium Oxalate crystal formation. Dogs with high numbers of this Oxalobacter formigenes flora have been found to have higher secretions of oxalate secreted into the bladder and become predisposed to oxalate crystal formation. (Source: http://www.vcahospitals.com). Hills u/d, Royal Canin Urinary s/o and Hills c/d will dissolve these crystals and prevent reformation. A detailed list of all urinary crystals can be found here: http://www.eclinpath.com/urinalysis/crystals Diet plays a key role in the type and likelihood of crystalluria, with diets low in magnesium having a direct relationship with lower rates of struvite crystal formation and pets fed human food high in oxalates and/or calcium such as spinach, sweet potato, chocolate (toxic) and peanuts at higher risk of developing calcium oxalate crystalluria. (Source: Grauer, FG) If crystals form and remain in the right environment, bladder stones (uroliths) may develop.
Uroliths & Blockage
Bladder stones (uroliths) are formed when excessive crystals are allowed to form into stones within the bladder. These can be influenced by diet, concentration of urine, pH and presence of bacteria. Uroliths cause inflammation within the bladder and urogenital tract. This has the potential to cause partial or complete blockage, a life threatening situation which can lead to bladder rupture or kidney failure. Immediate veterinary attention is required! An anaesthetic is generally indicated to remove the blockage and is usually achieved by placing a urinary catheter, whereby removing the plug in the process. Male cats are especially susceptible to urethral blockage due to their anatomy. Some pets will lose the ability to contract their bladder muscles and sphincter after having a full bladder for extended periods of time and may require ongoing care and medication to rectify the issue.
Uroliths can range in size and structure and can occasionally be diagnosed by feeling (palpation) if they are large enough, or if there are vast quantities, x-rays or ultrasounds may also be indicated based on the type of suspected urolith. Some uroliths are radio-opaque (visible upon x-ray), and may require special radiographic techniques to demonstrate their presence. Ultrasound may be indicated in some cases. Blockages can be caused by inflammation and protein plugs, without the presence of stones. Blockages of any kind are deemed life threatening, contact us immediately if you suspect your pet has a blockage. Cats are especially prone to blockages of this nature. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) or Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) are described in further detail below.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) covers several syndromes (including those above). However, it is mainly used to refer to the cystitis which has no definitive cause (idiopathic) (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis - FIC). The symptoms are similar to other diseases: Inappropriate urination, blood in the urine and increased frequency are common. If you suspect changes in your cat's urinating behaviour, it is important to have your cat's urine analysed to differentiate between infection, crystalluria or bladder stones as other potential causes.
Pain and inflammation are the limited responses the bladder can exhibit, regardless of the diagnosis (Source: dvm360.com). These non-specific symptoms can be the frustrating aspect of FLUTD that leads owners to believe the problem may never be resolved. Stressors such as interaction with other cats (new cat in the neighbourhood or home (scents, seeing them outside, cats entering their territory are the major contributors to idiopathic cystitis). The slightest change in environment (construction work, visitors, even an owner coming home on crutches!) can be enough to set some cats into disarray.
The treatment plan generally in these cases is to reducing the stressors in the environment. Suggestions may vary, dependent on the the suspected stressor (eg. drawing curtains to avoid your cat seeing other cats outside) but other treatments like pheromone therapy (Feliway spray or diffusers) and/or Hills c/d Stress Prescription Diet may be indicated. The Hills c/d Stress formula has added L-Tryptophan and hydrolysed milk protein (hydrolysed casein) to the original c/d diet (Hills.com.au). These ingredients have calming properties as well as providing an ideal diet to maintain a healthy bladder. More information about the effects of L-Tryptophan and milk protein can be found by clicking here. Other methods for relieving cat stress can be found in our behaviour blog section - 'Cat Urinating in the House' Although FLUTD / FIC can be frustrating, the situation can be improved. We are here to help. Contact us now to discuss your concerns on 3263 9977