Hello, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to be taught 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 may be equally informative for the proprietor of a furry feline. Not solely does the quantity of urine your cat is producing precisely characterize the quantity your cat is consuming, which is usually a key indicator of kidney well being and likewise a pink 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 comprise 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 a little bit field sleuth or a guano gumboot, that will help you maintain your cat as wholesome as doable.
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 regarding the urinary tract equivalent to ureters, the urethra, and urogenital all take some type of the foundation phrase.
What are the normals? Sometimes, metabolism inside the physique signifies 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 house 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 in regards to the quantity of their bladder, starting from plum to orange-sized. A light 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 usually yellow or golden in shade. Homeowners are inclined 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! Apparently, the identical above examine discovered that wholesome cats in comparison with abnormals spend extra time in litter overlaying 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 realize the normals, then selecting up on any abnormalities with urine may be very straightforward. The next are issues which may sign it’s time to talk together with your vet, as they’ll point out underlying well being points.
- Shade modifications: A pink tint can point out blood; orangey tints can point out liver points.
- Sticky urine: A sense of stickiness in urine can doubtlessly point out the presence of sugar, which may be a sign of diabetes in some cats.
- Sparkly urine: typically, crystalluria (or crystals which have fashioned within the urine) aren’t seen with the bare eye. Nonetheless, generally when urine dries, if it accommodates a major sufficient quantity of crystals, it could possibly seem sparkly, because the crystal sides replicate gentle, very similar to a diamond. I’ve had many purchasers convey their cat in for having sparkly urine, the place we subsequently diagnose crystalluria.
- Change in odor, or very robust odor: Some individuals appear to have uncanny sniffers. Genetically, some individuals can smell ketones which may point out a severe complication in metabolic ailments equivalent to diabetes. I’ve labored with different individuals in veterinary clinics that swear by a capability to detect urinary tract infections, from the odor of urine samples which can be introduced in. They may give a few of the gluten, bomb, seizure sniffing dogs a run for his or her money- it was uncanny how correct they usually had been, although a lot stays to be standardized and validated.
Different Urinary Issues Folks See As Regular That Aren’t
- Being a very good drinker: This as a rule signifies your cat has an excessive or pathological need for water.
- Urinating very small quantities, usually. 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 could be affectionately often known as liquid gold extra as a joke, however in actuality, urine is usually 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 job, attempt 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 might 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 acquired to say that Pancake undoubtedly approves of each a clean litter box, and a clear invoice of well being!)
