Veterinarian explains in detail the causes and symptoms of hematuria in cats

Are you concerned about the color of your beloved cat's urine? It is now widely known that cats often experience urinary problems.

So, what should you do if you find blood in your cat's urine? Depending on the cause, hematuria can be life-threatening. We will explain the causes and symptoms of hematuria in detail.

What causes hematuria in cats?

The primary cause of hematuria in cats is urinary tract disease. What kind of diseases are these? We will explain common urinary tract diseases.

Cystitis

Cystitis can be considered the leading cause of hematuria in cats. While some cases of feline cystitis are caused by bacteria, idiopathic cystitis, where the cause is unclear, accounts for most cases. Stress is also thought to be a trigger for idiopathic cystitis.

Urolithiasis

Urolithiasis refers to diseases caused by stones that form in the bladder, urethra, kidneys, or the ureters that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

While there are several components of urinary stones in cats, struvite and calcium oxalate account for most of them.

Urinary tract tumors

Tumors can form in the kidneys, bladder, and other areas. Tumors develop blood vessels, leading to a concentration of blood vessels in the tumor area. As tumors grow by destroying surrounding cells, constant bleeding occurs. Renal lymphoma and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are the main urinary tract tumors, and the prognosis is often poor.

In addition, if a cat's abdomen is injured in an accident, such as a car accident, the urinary tract may be damaged, and hematuria is often observed.

Symptoms of diseases that cause hematuria in cats

We explained that diseases causing hematuria are urinary tract diseases. Let's discuss the symptoms observed in these diseases.

Hematuria

Many urinary tract diseases present with hematuria. Although referred to as hematuria, the color can range from tomato juice red to pale pink. Even if the urine does not appear bloody to the naked eye, blood is often detected during urinalysis.

Painful urination, difficulty urinating

If stones form in the urethra or ureters due to urolithiasis, severe pain occurs when they pass. Due to the pain, even if the cat tries to urinate, it cannot, leading to frequent trips to the litter box or inappropriate urination.

Additionally, if the bladder or urethra becomes blocked by stones or blood, the cat will be unable to urinate. In such cases, the cat will also try to go to the litter box repeatedly.

Frequent urination, inappropriate urination

When urinary tract disease occurs, frequent urination is more likely due to inflammation of the bladder or a reduction in bladder volume caused by a tumor. Also, if the cat cannot urinate properly, it will try to go to the litter box repeatedly.

When frequent urination occurs, the cat may not make it to the litter box in time, often leading to urination in inappropriate places.

Loss of energy and appetite

Urinary tract diseases often cause severe pain, leading to a loss of energy and appetite. Additionally, the accumulation of waste products can make the cat feel ill, resulting in a loss of appetite.

If your cat is constantly crouching in front of the litter box, urinary tract disease may be a possibility.

Conversely, due to pain, some cats may strongly resist being touched or become aggressive.

Vomiting

In diseases that cause hematuria, vomiting can occur due to pain or difficulty urinating. Additionally, if urination is obstructed due to urolithiasis, the cat can develop kidney failure within about half a day. When waste products accumulate in the body and lead to uremia, vomiting appears. Uremia is a very dangerous condition and significantly increases the risk of death.

Seizures

If the cat cannot urinate properly and develops uremia, toxic substances such as ammonia circulate throughout the body and affect the brain. This leads to frequent seizures. By the time this stage is reached, the prognosis becomes very poor.

What to do when your cat has hematuria

When hematuria occurs, there is a very high probability of a urinary tract disease. Furthermore, if left untreated, urinary tract diseases can be life-threatening. You should always visit a veterinarian.

After diagnosis at the veterinary hospital, a change to a therapeutic diet may be suggested depending on the disease. Therapeutic diets are prescribed by a veterinarian, so do not stop them on your own. Also, obesity or feeding human food can cause urolithiasis. Ensure you feed only the prescribed amount of cat food.

In cases of idiopathic cystitis, it is also necessary to review the living environment. Take a moment to consider if the living environment might be causing stress.

Consider making drinking water more accessible. You could try adding more water bowls or changing the type of bowl.

In cats, urine is often absorbed by litter. If hematuria is visible to the naked eye, it will be noticeable even in clumped litter. Make it a habit to check the litter box daily to monitor for any changes in the amount or color of urine.

Summary

Urinary tract diseases that cause hematuria are recognized as highly urgent conditions in veterinary medicine. If not addressed promptly upon arrival at the clinic, it can often be too late. If you see blood in your cat's urine, visit a veterinarian immediately without delay.

If it is nighttime or your regular veterinary clinic is closed, it is advisable to have another hospital available for consultation in advance.