Urinary Issues In Cats

Most of the time, we expect a cat to take care of its own toilet needs. Most of the time, we pay little attention to when a cat urinates, how many times, time in the litter box, etc. The attention getter is when your cat urinates on your freshly folded laundry or in your favorite chair.

Your cat is having trouble urinating in the litter box when he or she spends more time than expected urinating or is having accidents around the house. As a cat owner, you should be aware of a urinary disease that could have several different names, but are in fact the same disease.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) was formerly called 'feline urologic syndrome' or
FUS, and is now more commonly called 'feline idiopathic cystitis' or 'FIC'. 'Cystitis' is the term commonly used to describe bladder inflammation. 'Idiopathic' means the cause is unknown or more accurately, us idiots don't know the precise cause. Idiopathic cystitis in cats is similar to interstitial cystitis in humans. FLUTD affects the cat's urinary bladder and sometimes the urethra (the tube-like structure that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body).

Since it can be confusing at best, we will refer to it as Feline Urologic Syndrome or simply as FUS. 

FUS in cats is a serious disease. It can kill a cat. Signs of FUS include:

• Prolonged squatting or straining in or out of the litter box and not producing urine or only a small amount (some owners may confuse this with signs of constipation) 

• Frequent urination or straining 

• Pain while urinating (meowing or howling) 

• Urinating outside of the litter box 

• Blood in the urine

• Frequent licking of the genital area

It is thought that stress may play a major role in the development of FUS. Stressors may include changes in the number of family members (both human and animal); changes in the litter box location, litter type, or cleanliness; changes in diet; a new neighbor cat in the back yard or changes in the routine (e.g., no longer goes outside, owner no longer plays with cat). Remember to think like a cat, not a human. Cats do not need to file taxes on April 15th! That is not the stress I am talking about. What may seem unimportant to you may be the stressor for your cat.

Although the exact cause of FUS is not completely understood, it encompasses four common disorders:

•  Cystitis: Inflammation of the lining and wall of the bladder.

• Infections: Blood or mucous in the inflamed urinary tissues indicate bacterial infections.

• Urethral Blockage: Crystallization of minerals in the bladder plug up the urethra leading to blockage of urinary outflow. This is a life threatening condition.

•  Uremia: Buildup of toxins in your cat's blood stream when wastes are prevented from  being eliminated due to a blocked urethra.

The most serious symptom of this feline medical problem is caused when small crystals made up of calcium and magnesium form in the bladder. Occasionally these crystals or stones will pass from the bladder to the urethra. When the urethra is blocked, the situation can become critical very rapidly. If left untreated, a feline with a blocked urethra who is unable to urinate can die within 48 hours (worth repeating). If you have a cat who shows signs of painful urination (they will usually cry inside the litter box), or blood in the urine, your pet should be taken to the animal hospital for examination immediately.  

If your cat shows signs of FUS it will always be considered a medical emergency. A completely blocked urethra can lead to death in as little as two days.

At your veterinarian or animal hospital, the following steps will most likely be taken:

• Catheterization to remove the stones and crystals causing the blockage so the urine can flow again.   

•  Antibiotics to kill any bacteria that may have formed in the bladder. Known as cystitis, a bacterial infection in the bladder is often noted in cats with FUS.  

•  Oral urinary acidifiers are often prescribed to maintain your cat's urinary health. Crystal formation is less likely to form in urine that is more acidic and more likely to form in urine that has a high pH (alkaline). Cat owners can use pH sticks to test urine in the cat box to monitor levels for cats who have exhibited FUS  

• Chronic urinary obstruction in male cats may require surgery to widen the urethral opening. This procedure is known as a perineal urethrostomy, and while it will not prevent the reoccurrence of crystals in cats who are prone to FUS, it will lessen the possibility of a life-threatening blockage.

As a note of interest, we have been using Cold Laser Therapy (January 3, 2015 Blog) as an instrument to decrease inflammation and pain with good success in addition to the standard treatments.

We will send these cats home on a strict diet to address urinary pH, stress, and minerals in the urine. Some of the prescription diets we use are Hill's Science Diet products and Royal Canin.

What ever you want to call it, FUS is a disease you should be aware of if you own a cat. Too many times, the words, "if I had only known sooner" is muttered by the owner when a patient is brought in to the hospital in renal failure or has irreversible damage to the bladder caused by FUS.

 The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA. Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com. 

Cold Laser Therapy

 

Boo-boo being treated for Otitis Externa



Did your pet reduce his or her exercise recently?  Is he or she reluctant to jump into the car or run after a ball or stick?  Is there a wound that just won’t heal? How about gum disease, bad breath, red or sore gums? Does your pet have a  long term ear infection or disc disease? Did your pet recently have surgery? Does he or she yelp because of neck pain? Get the picture? Laser therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light shown to treat painful or debilitating conditions.

Cold Laser Therapy may be right for your pet. A relatively recent advance in veterinary  
medicine has been the Cold Laser. This is sometimes called laser therapy, low level laser therapy, Class III Laser treatment, Class IV Laser therapy or LLLT. By any name, Cold Laser Therapy is a holistic, non-invasive, effective way to treat and manage many different conditions in the dog or cat.

Cold Laser Therapy is a relatively new technology (about 30 years old) when compared to many alternative therapies like acupuncture (which has been used since 8000-3500 B.C.), chiropractic (since 1895), and physical therapy. Just like the abacus evolved into the computer, many alternative medicine practices are evolving to include laser therapy.

The general therapeutic effects of Cold Laser Therapy on your pet will be:

·         Increase Cell Growth: Laser photons accelerate cellular reproduction and growth

·         Increase Metabolic Activity: Photons initiate higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells, and thus greater production of the basic food source for cells, Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP)

·         Faster Wound Healing: Cold laser photons stimulate fibroblast development and accelerate collagen synthesis in damaged tissue

·         Anti-Inflammatory Action: Laser photons reduce swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints resulting in enhanced joint mobility

·         Increase Vascular Activity: Laser photons induce temporary vasodilation that increases blood flow to effected areas

·         Reduce Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser photons reduce the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, or post surgery

·         Stimulate Nerve Function: Laser photon exposure speeds the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life

·         Pain Reduction: Almost all systems have a mode of operation specifically designed to reduce pain

          Restores Mobility: The therapy relieves chronic pain such as arthritic joints

Some Common Questions

How does it work?    The laser beam stimulates the cells and tissue to be healthy.  It also reduces inflammation which helps to promote healing and minimize the pain of many chronic conditions. 

What will my pet feel during the treatment?  The application of light is painless.  Your pet may feel a slight tingling as the light enters the tissue and cells, but it is very minimal, if at all.

How long will each treatment take?  The treatment time depends on how chronic the condition is and the depth the laser light needs to travel.  However, most treatments are between two and ten minutes.

How many treatments will my pet need?  The number of treatments can vary greatly based on the condition, but many pet owners notice a positive difference within one to three treatments. 

What is the cost of the treatments?  The cost per treatment will vary depending on if you purchase a package of multiple treatments or prefer to pay per treatment.  However, the cost is reasonable either way.

Are the results guaranteed?  Cold Laser Therapy has been proven to be effective in clinical studies and rehabilitation settings for both humans and pets.  Over thirty years of research supports the benefits of this holistic approach to treatment.  However, the results cannot be guaranteed for every patient.

11 Benefits of MLS Laser Therapy:

• Anti-Inflammatory Effect 
• Reduced Pain Effect 
• Accelerated Tissue Repair 
•  Cell Growth Improved
• Vascular Activity 
•  Increases Metabolic Activity 
•  Stimulation of Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points 
•  Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation 
•  Improved Nerve Function 
•  Immune-regulation 
•  Faster Wound Healing

MLS Laser Therapy effectively treats pain associated with: arthritis, tendonitis, wounds, post-surgical swelling, inflamed ears, lick granuloma, hip dysplasia, disc disease, lameness, sinusitis and much more!

After laser therapy, dog owners might see their dog go upstairs more often, play with a ball he has not picked up in months or go back to getting on the couch for his nightly snuggle with family members. When dogs have better mobility, medications can often be reduced.

Laser therapy improves the quality of a dog's life as well as the life of its owner, because if your dog is happy, you are happy.

Ask us if Cold Laser Therapy is appropriate for your pet.



The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA. Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com. 

 

How To Have A Safe Thanksgiving With Your Pet.

OK, it’s Thanksgiving evening or the next morning. Tell me where you’d rather be –(a) hitting the after-Thanksgiving sales, or possibly lounging on the sofa and watching football or a good movie – (b) or at the vet’s office praying that your dog survives or searching the neighborhood because he has escaped? Basically, an (a) or (b) will do just fine. As for me, my answer would be (a).

 

There are preparations to prevent scenario (b) from ever happening. A smooth peaceful Thanksgiving is possible even with kids and family you only see once or twice a year in the house.

 

The purpose of this Blog is to prevent bad things from happening to your pet. I will not be giving advice about controlling kids, or keeping Uncle John from drinking too much (again), or Aunt Bertie from overeating.

Avoiding A Pet Tragedy

You can avoid a Thanksgiving tragedy by being aware of the hazards and dangers to your dog or cat and practicing a few safety tips.

Dogs and cats like predictable routines, and Thanksgiving is not predictable. There’s lots of people coming and going, meals are prepared and eaten at odd hours, there’s lots of tempting food sitting around in bowls just waiting to be eaten. Dogs or cats can get overly excited or nervous – and some pets that are on the nervous side may get aggressive because the added stress simply “puts them over the top.”

When greeting guests, your dog should not greet them with you. With everything that is going on, you may forget to watch him, someone may inadvertently forget to close the door, or he can wiggle past your visitors before you realize it. You don’t want to spend your Thanksgiving looking for an escaped dog!

 

Please, please, please ask your guests NOT to feed your dog except his own food or treats! In fact, the safest place for him may be in that dog safe-room away from all the commotion of cheering from football games, kids running around, lots and lots of conversations (you know which family members are louder than others!) Even though you may think your dog is a member of the family who should be included in the celebrations, your dog may become stressed because this gathering is such a departure from his routine.

If your pet shows any of the following signs, get him or her to a “safe room” immediately.

Be alert for these stress signals:

• Acting afraid or nervous (moving away)
• Attention seeking
• Cowering
• Drooling
• Freezing or becoming very still – this is very important. Biting could be next!! Whatever he is staring at is his intended target. Interrupt him by standing between him and whatever he is staring at IMMEDIATELY. Don’t yell, but quietly distract and remove him.
• Growling (Growling is good – your dog is telling you he is uncomfortable. Never punish a growl because you are taking away the warning! Change the situation.)
• Hiding
• Jumping or barking more than usual
• Pacing
• Panting
• Raising the fur on his/her back
• Shivering or shaking
• Showing the white of his/her eye
• Trying to hide under furniture or escape
• Turning his head away
• Whining
• Yawning or licking his chops.

Foods To Avoid

·         Too many fatty, rich, or unfamiliar foods can give your pet pancreatitis or gastroenteritis; two medical conditions that can be very painful and even life-threatening.  

·         Certain bones can lacerate or obstruct your pets' insides. Save the bones for the broth - not your dog. 

·         Make sure to dispose of turkey bones where the pet cannot get to it. These bones will splinter when chewed. Bones can get caught in a pet’s esophagus or intestinal track. 

·         Alcohol – wine, beer, mixed drinks, eggnog 

·         Bread dough expands in your dog’s stomach and causes pain and bloat, which is 100% fatal unless treated IMMEDIATELY. 

·         Onions and onion powder, widely found in stuffing and used as a general seasoning, will destroy your dog or cat's red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. 

·         Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney damage to both dogs and cats.

 

      ·     Chocolate can actually be fatal to your dog or cat; so all those sweets must be kept   well out of reach. Please read my blog on Chocolate Toxicity (Oct, 2014)

 

       ·        Buttery side dishes 

      ·         Coffee or tea 

·         Aluminum foil, wax paper and other food wrappings can cause intestinal obstruction. Make sure to place these items securely in the garbage. 

·         Keep an eye on the garbage and keep it securely fastened! If your dog gets into it, he may think he's hit the jackpot, but all he'll be winning is health problems from something as simple as gastric disturbance, vomiting and diarrhea to the worst-case scenario - death.  

·         Rancid food is full of bacteria and can make a pet very sick, so make sure garbage is not accessible to the pet. 

Blockage

 

The following items can be eaten by your pet and possibly cause obstruction:

These cooking items can be consumed by your dog and get stuck in the intestinal track causing a blockage or perforation:

• Baking string
• Napkins
• Plastic bags or shrink-wrap covering
• Plastic eating utensils
• Plastic glasses
• Plastic or paper plates
• Plastic wrap
• Pop up timers
• Roasting bags
• Skewers
• Tin foil
• Toothpicks
• Wax paper 

Pancreatitis

One especially dangerous Thanksgiving food is turkey skin or other very fatty foods. If you think your dog has eaten any or has any of these symptoms, then he may have pancreatitis, so take him to your vet or the emergency service that is standing in for your vet.

 Symptoms of pancreatitis are:

• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea (which may contain blood)
• Fever
• Increased water consumption with or without vomiting afterwards
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting  

One More Thing

If your guests have medications in their luggage, ask them to close and lock their luggage. With purses, put them in a closet with the door closed so your dog doesn’t go exploring…..

This may seem like a lot to do, but you love your dog and want to protect him or you wouldn’t be reading this article!

Please let me know if there are other points to mention for next year. Anything you might add could save someone’s pet next year.

We at Providence Veterinary Hospital wish you and your pet(s) a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA. Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com.