Hello, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to study extra about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.
Urine, pee, wee… it goes by many names. However, much like an article I wrote some time again about stool in cats, urine will be equally informative for the proprietor of a furry feline. Not solely does the quantity of urine your cat is producing precisely symbolize the quantity your cat is consuming, which generally is a key indicator of kidney well being and likewise a crimson flag for some ailments equivalent to hyperthyroidism or diabetes (as a result of, keep in mind, what goes in, should come out!), however the urine itself can include clues about your cat’s well being. If analyzing poop wasn’t your factor till you learn my final article, now we will double the usefulness of being just a little field sleuth or a guano gumboot, that can assist you hold your cat as wholesome as attainable.
The Ins and Outs of Urine
Why is it referred to as urine or wee?? Originating from the Greek phrase oûron, urine additionally means “water”, therefore all issues referring to the urinary tract equivalent to ureters, the urethra, and urogenital all take some type of the basis phrase.
What are the normals? Sometimes, metabolism inside the physique implies that cats produce urine at a fee of 1-2 ml/kg/hr. Since what goes out should additionally get replaced, this is identical components that vets use for calculating basal water consumption necessities, when deciding on what fee for IV fluids to make use of in sufferers for surgical procedure.
At residence within the litterbox, what this implies is that cats, on common, urinate 2-3 times daily, and customarily a clump can be anticipated to be concerning the quantity of their bladder, starting from plum to orange-sized. A gentle to stronger door of urine could also be current, stronger but if a cat is an intact male as a result of affect of testosterone. Urine is mostly yellow or golden in coloration. Homeowners are likely to underestimate the frequency of urination of their cats, so don’t fear an excessive amount of in case your cat doesn’t appear to suit the above! Curiously, the identical above research discovered that wholesome cats in comparison with abnormals spend extra time in litter masking actions.
What Ought to You NOT Count on From Urine?
You’re in luck (urine- get it? Pardon the pun!), as a result of if you already know the normals, then selecting up on any abnormalities with urine will be very simple. The next are issues that may sign it’s time to talk together with your vet, as they will point out underlying well being points.
- Coloration modifications: A crimson tint can point out blood; orangey tints can point out liver points.
- Sticky urine: A sense of stickiness in urine can probably point out the presence of sugar, which will be a sign of diabetes in some cats.
- Sparkly urine: typically, crystalluria (or crystals which have shaped within the urine) aren’t seen with the bare eye. Nonetheless, typically when urine dries, if it incorporates a big sufficient quantity of crystals, it may possibly seem sparkly, because the crystal sides mirror mild, very like a diamond. I’ve had many consumers convey their cat in for having sparkly urine, the place we subsequently diagnose crystalluria.
- Change in scent, or very robust scent: Some folks appear to have uncanny sniffers. Genetically, some folks can smell ketones which may point out a critical complication in metabolic ailments equivalent to diabetes. I’ve labored with different folks in veterinary clinics that swear by a capability to detect urinary tract infections, from the scent of urine samples which can be introduced in. They could give a number of the gluten, bomb, seizure sniffing dogs a run for his or her money- it was uncanny how correct they typically had been, although a lot stays to be standardized and validated.
Different Urinary Issues Individuals See As Regular That Aren’t
- Being a great drinker: This as a rule signifies your cat has an excessive or pathological need for water.
- Urinating very small quantities, typically. This may point out an elevated urgency to go- which can stem from points equivalent to urinary tract infections.
- Crying whereas urinating. This will point out ache, which may come up from infections, crystals, stones and blockages.
- Going into the field to urinate, then leaving with out producing urine. Simply as you or I don’t go to the bathroom and have a false alarm, neither do cats.
In Conclusion
It might be affectionately often known as liquid gold extra as a joke, however in actuality, urine generally is a key indicator of the well being of your cat. So subsequent time you might be scooping the field, and disparaging over yet one more thankless process, strive reframing it right into a mini well being checkup that you’re offering your fluffy feline. They solely go to their vet a couple of times a year- whereas with the litterbox, and monitoring stool and urine output and traits, you will have a every day alternative to evaluate the well being and happiness of your cat. Now that’s a discount! (As a pet proprietor myself, I’ve bought to say that Pancake undoubtedly approves of each a clean litter box, and a clear invoice of well being!)