Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Bacterial infections of the urinary bladder are common in dogs and cats of all ages. Females tend to be more at risk. Genetics, diet, dirty environment, stress, holding urine for long periods and licking may put your pet at risk for an infection.

Symptoms of a UTI are accidents, straining to urinate, frequent urination, increased drinking, smelly urine, pain, or blood. Cats may not show signs until the infection is severe.

Since other conditions cause similar signs of a UTI, testing the urine is critical to determine if there is an infection. A urinalysis checks the urine for bacteria and inflammation. Urine cultures are sometimes needed to determine the type of bacteria.

Treatment for UTIs includes antibiotics and pain management. Lifestyle changes such as more frequent walks, multiple litterboxes, change in diet, and treating underlying diseases may be needed.

Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is when your pets leak urine without control. Typically urinary leakage occurs in older pets from urethral muscle weakness. Other causes can be from structural issues, trauma, urinary bladder issues, hormones, or neurological conditions.

Usually, you will find small amounts of urine where your pet was laying or see dribbling of urine without your pet noticing. Some animals may start licking more to stay clean from the urine leakage. If there are other illnesses causing the incontinence other symptoms will be present.

After other illnesses have been ruled out and a urinalysis has checked the function of the urinary system, a diagnosis may be made based on history and signs.

There are a variety of medications available to help incontinence based on the underlying cause. Medications can be used to increase the urethral strength or alter hormones.

Cystitis

Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder. The condition is common in dogs and cats and is usually caused by another condition. The urinary bladder is a muscle that can easily be inflamed and aggravated from infections, crystals, stones, or tumors. Cystitis can also occur with no known cause although diet and stress may play a role.

Symptoms of cystitis mimic a UTI: accidents, straining to urinate, frequent urination, increase drinking, smelly urine, or pain. Blood in the urine is very common.

Testing the urine is the first step in determining the health of the urinary system. Blood work and imaging also help diagnose the cause.

Treatment is based on other conditions your pet may have. Pain and anti-inflammatory medications are key to helping your pet feel better.

Urinary Obstruction

Urinary obstruction/blockage is the inability for your pet to urinate. Urinary blockage is an Emergency and will lead to death if not treated promptly. When urine is not released, the whole urinary system gets backed up. The bladder continues to fill until capacity or rupture and the kidneys will go into failure. Urinary blockage is most common in young male cats.

Symptoms of urinary obstruction may start as signs of a UTI then rapidly progress. Straining to urinate, vocalizing when trying to go, pain in the abdomen, licking, weakness, not eating, vomiting, and behavior change.

Blockage occurs in the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder to the outside body. Stones, crystals, tumors, scar tissue, and mucus plugs can block this passage way. The urethra is also prone to swelling, spasms, and inflammation related to other conditions such as a UTI or cystitis making the condition complex. Diet may play a major role in cats.

If you are concerned your pet can not urinate please go immediately to a full service or emergency vet hospital. A diagnosis can be made with a physical exam, blood work, and xray. A urinary catheter will be placed under anesthesia to relieve the blockage. Your pet will most likely be hospitalized to make sure the kidneys and urinary system are functioning.