Urinary Tract Disorders and Kidney Disease
Kidney Disease
Many old cats suffer kidney problems. When the normal kidney tissue is replaced by scarred tissue, the kidneys are less efficient at filtering waste products in the blood. The sickness progresses slowly.
- Symptoms: dull fur, increased thirst, gradual weight loss and frequent urination. In advanced cases there’s lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, mouth ulcers and a smell of ammonia in the breath.
- Treatment: the diagnostic is through a blood analysis. Your veterinarian will suggest a diet with moderately restricted amounts of easily digestible protein, low sodium and phosphorus to reduce strain on the kidneys. Steroids may be administered to increase appetite. Water must be available all day long to quench the increased thirst and stimulate the kidneys to work. With an early detection and careful handling, progress of the disease can be held back and your cat can live happily for many more years.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
This disease is caused by the formation of crystals (mineral deposits) in the cat’s urinary system. It is a potentially serious condition because the accumulation of crystals can completely block the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the exterior) and the cat can’t urinate. It is more common in males than females because they have a thinner urethra.
- Symptoms: the cat strains only to produce a few drops of urine, which may contain blood. It may scream from pain and licks it’s back side constantly. It is important to not confuse these symptoms with constipation because obstruction of the urethra is a life threatening condition and needs urgent treatment. When urine can’t pass, the bladder fills quickly and may burst, releasing the content into the abdominal cavity and the cat may die of shock or peritonitis
- Treatment: there are two classes of urinary tract crystals: those which contain magnesium hydrate, that form when urine is too alkaline; and those which contain calcium oxalate, which forms when urine is too acidic. It is important to discover what your cat has because the treatments for each are very different. It can be controlled with diets prescribed by a veterinarian designed to produce urine with the correct pH level. The cause of the problem is not completely determined, but there are significant factors such as lack of water, too much magnesium in the diet, obesity, lack of exercise, and tension. Try to keep your cat thin and stimulate it to drink a lot of water. Avoid food rich in magnesium, such as pork, beef and oily fish.
Cystitis
Cystitis or bladder inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection. It is also associated with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and the symptoms are similar. Cystitis can affect both sexes, but it is more common in females, specially British careys.
- Treatment: consult a veterinarian a soon as possible. Antibiotic treatment will be necessary to eliminate the bacteria.
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