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Ask the Expert – Cat with Blood in Urine

October 30th, 2009

Name: Amira
Pets species and breed: Tabby cat
Pets age and weight: about 6 yrs, 6 lbs
Pets health status: Good
Are they spayed or neutered? Yes
Brand of food: Orijen chicken/Purina selects fish canned
Animal owned for: 6 years

Question:

I have 3 cats, but Snookie is the only one who gets Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).  He had a lot of blood in his urine. He went to the litter box back to back with difficulty going & then it was just a drop. The urine was tested, and the vet gave him Clavamox. I need help determining if there are ingredients in his food that might trigger UTIs. Thank you for your help.

Amira

Answer:

Dear Amira,

Please read my article. This will hopefully shed some light on the most common feline urinary tract problems and their recommended treatments.

The most common reason for cats to have bloody urine and urination urgency is bladder inflammation…not infection. Often vets put these cats on antibiotics, but bladder infection accounts for only about 2-3% of these type of signs.

However, if Snookie does indeed have a UTI, I would recommend an ultrasound to determine if he has bladder stones–which is a common cause of recurrent bladder infections.

One of the most important things to do for cats with urinary problems is to feed ALL CANNED FOOD diets, increase the frequency of feeding (3 to 4 meals each day) and feed a pH neutral diet. Again, please read my complete article referenced above for more recommendations.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Donna Spector

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: bladder infection, bladder inflammation, blood in urine, urinary infection, urinary problems, urinary tract infection
Posted in K9 Expert Question, K9 Health | No Comments »

Ask the Expert: Bladder Problems

September 3rd, 2009

Name: Joyce
Pets species and breed: Cocker Spaniel
Pets age and weight: 3 yrs – 35 lbs.
Pets health status: Good
Are they spayed or neutered? Yes
Brand of food: Pure Vita/Evangers

Question:

“My cocker spaniel, Mugsy, is a rescue dog. I have had him for nine months, and he is probably about 3 years old. Since using K9 Cuisine premium dog food, he has been healthy. Beore that, he had problems with digesting food. I wrote you for help three months ago, and he has been healthy. He was very hard to housebreak, and had to be crated much of the time for a while. He has been doing well for several months now.

Recently he started “leaking” while I hooked the rope to his collar so he could go outside. Usually I fasten the rope while he is still in the house near the back door. For the last several days, I have taken him onto the back porch before stopping to hook the rope. He still leaked, but it was outside. A few minutes ago, I took him out to fasten the rope. After I fastened it he just stood there for a minute. When he went on down the steps to the yard, I saw that he had pottied on the porch.

Since he was neutered, he has squatted like a female 99% of the time. Occasionally he lifts a leg, but unlike most male dogs, he stays in one place until he is finished. I don’t know if this is behavioral or if I need to take him for a urine test. Please help. I am losing my patience.”

Answer:

“Hi Joyce, thanks for your question. I am glad to hear Mugsy’s digestive problems from May have resolved!

Whenever a dog starts showing urinary signs (accidents, inappropriate locations of urination, straining, etc.), I recommend a urinalysis and urine culture to make sure they are not dealing with a bladder infection. Bladder stones can also develop at any age and usually require an xray or sonogram to diagnose. Also ask your vet to perform a good orthopedic and neurologic exam, as problems in these areas can also cause urine leakage.

If those tests are negative, this urination pattern may be a behavioral problem, and you may need to seek advice from a behaviorist/trainer. Try fastening the rope to him in the yard (instead of inside or on the porch) to prevent unnecessary clean-ups.”

Hope this helps.

Dr. Donna Spector

Tags: behavior, bladder control, bladder infection, bladder problem, leaking, urinary infection, urinary leaking
Posted in K9 Expert Question, K9 Health | No Comments »