Is your cat urinating outside of the litter box or straining to urinate? Is your cat not able to pee? Any cat not able to pee (a blocked cat) must be brought to the veterinarian immediately as this is a life threatening situation. If your cat is blocked it will be immediately unblocked by the veterinarian. After your cat is unblocked, or if the vet finds that it is some other problem, the cat will undergo a through diagnostic workup. This workup will include a urinalysis, urine culture, complete blood count, biochemistry panel (liver, kidneys, electrolytes) ultrasound and possible x-rays.  This is the minimal testing necessary to diagnosis the cause of disease properly. A complete blood count will look for evidence of systemic inflammation/infection or anemia.  A biochemistry panel will help identify other co-existing diseases that might be exacerbating the clinical signs.  A sterile urine sample must be obtained via inserting a needle into the cat’s bladder to draw out the urine.  The urine is analyzed with a special machine and examined underneath a microscope for cancer cells, crystals, mucus plugs, white blood cells, red blood cells, protein and bacteria.  Not all bacteria can be seen under a microscope, which is why a urine culture will determine if any bacteria are present in the urine.  Urinary tract infections are uncommon in cats and occur 12% to 25% of the time. Radiographs are important to determine if stones are present in the bladder or in the urethra.  Ultrasound allows the vet to view the balder wall and determine if sediment  (crystals) or stones are present. 

With these test results the veterinarian will have a better understanding as to what is causing of your cat’s urinary tract issues.  The unfortunate part is that only a small minority of cats will have abnormal test.  So what disease might your cat have? Stay tuned for my next article.

at urinating outside of the litter box or straining to urinate? Is your cat not able to pee? Any cat not able to pee (a blocked cat) must be brought to the veterinarian immediately as this is a life threatening situation. If your cat is blocked it will be immediately unblocked by the veterinarian. After your cat is unblocked, or if the vet finds that it is some other problem, the cat will undergo a through diagnostic workup. This workup will include a urinalysis, urine culture, complete blood count, biochemistry panel (liver, kidneys, electrolytes) ultrasound and possible x-rays.  This is the minimal testing necessary to diagnosis the cause of disease properly. A complete blood count will look for evidence of systemic inflammation/infection or anemia.  A biochemistry panel will help identify other co-existing diseases that might be exacerbating the clinical signs.  A sterile urine sample must be obtained via inserting a needle into the cat’s bladder to draw out the urine.  The urine is analyzed with a special machine and examined underneath a microscope for cancer cells, crystals, mucus plugs, white blood cells, red blood cells, protein and bacteria.  Not all bacteria can be seen under a microscope, which is why a urine culture will determine if any bacteria are present in the urine.  Urinary tract infections are uncommon in cats and occur 12% to 25% of the time. Radiographs are important to determine if stones are present in the bladder or in the urethra.  Ultrasound allows the vet to view the balder wall and determine if sediment  (crystals) or stones are present. 

With these test results the veterinarian will have a better understanding as to what is causing of your cat’s urinary tract issues.  The unfortunate part is that only a small minority of cats will have abnormal test.  So what disease might your cat have? Stay tuned for my next article.

By Dr. Jonathan A. Yardley