Blood in Cat's Urine

Medically termed as hematuria meaning 'blood in urine', cat blood in urine is a sign of serious feline or cat illness which can be a cause of consideration for any pet owner. Blood in urine basically means presence of red blood cells in the urine, which if gross can be seen through naked eyes else can only be seen under a microscope. Although it is not a life-threatening disease there are various factors that contribute to this condition.

Causes
There are various causes for hematuria in the cat which include, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), that affects the bladder, causing production of tiny crystals in the bladder which eventually become large, and result in large bladder stones. Also termed as feline cystitis, it is common in both male and female cats. Cancer, bacterial infections like cystitis or vaginitis of the urinary and genital tracts are some other common causes for blood in urine. Presence of calculi (stones) in the urinary tract or congenital urinary tract abnormalities can also lead to blood in cat urine. Poisoning, accidents or injuries, trauma, stress, etc. are some probable causes for blood discharge in the cat's urine.

Symptoms
Blood discharge in the cat's urine is not the only indication that your cat is suffering from some severe medical conditions. Behavioral changes like the cat becomes flaccid and unreceptive, frequent urination, pain while urinating or pain in the stomach area can also be signs or indications that the cat is unwell. Frequent visits to litterbox, strain while urinating, passing very small amounts at a time, licking the genitals more frequently or more intensely than usual are some other symptoms along with the blood in cat urine.

Diagnosis
The vet may perform several tests to rule out possible causes like he may take the cat's urine sample to detect presence of blood, bacteria, crystals that indicate bladder stones, and other abnormalities. He may probably ask to do some blood test to evaluate the overall health of the cat. A series of clotting tests may be done to assess whether the cat's blood can clot normally. X-rays and ultrasounds will be helpful to check the presence of bladder stones and tumors in the cat. Serum biochemistry tests may be performed to evaluate kidney and liver function and to diagnose electrolyte and acid base disturbances.

Treatment
Treatment for cat urine with blood primarily depends on the cause and the severity of the condition. If the cause is urinary tract or bladder infection, it can be treated with oral antibiotics that may help to subside the pain and discomfort. For bladder stones or crystals the vet may prescribe a diet low in calcium, magnesium and phosphate that may help in dissolving the crystals and prevent them from developing in future. Fluid therapy may be recommended for cats that are dehydrated as this will help in increasing their urine outputs. In severe cases like cancer, surgery or chemotherapy has to be done.

Home Remedies
Naturally cats don't drink enough water as they tend to get moisture from the food they eat. Therefore, improving their fluid intakes and restricting their dry foods consumption are two most effective home remedies that can prevent hematuria in cats from reoccurring. This will properly cleanse the system and will also maintain the pH level in the urinary tract. Acidification of the cat's urine is a significant way to minimize the crystal formation in the urinary tract. Ingredients like arctostaphylos uva ursi, berberis vulgaris, cantharis and staphysagris are well-known natural remedies to maintain and create a positive and healthy impact on the bladder and urinary tracts.

Before following any of the aforementioned treatments and remedies, it is recommended to consult a vet to diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe necessary treatment. However, maintaining proper hygiene and keeping a tract of the cat's behavior and dietary requirements, one can surely avoid the risks of having this ailment.