UTIs, cystitis...

[crazycatlady1958]

I'm a member of another forum, and cystitis and UTIs are mentioned quite a lot, and there's been mention of the colour of the cat's urine, and that there's blood in it. I've asked this question elsewhere, but it's not been answered as yet, so I'll try you guys.....

I've been puzzling, how does a person determine the colour of a cat's urine, and if it has blood in it? Is it always so obvious that it can be seen within the litter in their bowls? I use clumping litter (and also have 6 cats), and I'm having a hard time imagining being able to see anything short of a haemorrhage - I assume the identity of the cat would be able to be determined by whether it is ill or off-colour?

Fortunately all my cats are really well at present, just the odd minor problem, but as it seems renal problems are quite common, I guess I'd better find out what signs and symptoms to look for.

Thanks.

[Cat Detective]

I use clumping as well, the balls of litter where the cat pees can look very dark if there is a lot of blood, other litters are not clumping and the wee just puddles at the bottom so that would be easier to see.

I think largely it wouldnot just be the wee colour that would alert you a problem on its own, it would be the smell - which changes, and the cat may be straining, excessivelyt grooming genital area etc. Once you notice that happening, that is when you might start to focus on the wee!

[raggiedoll]

Agreeing with Deb there, they say colour really they are just bad at explaining it. I have found with Tilly being diabetic i have become a pee and poo master lol its never one thing it the consistency the smell the off colour tbh its instinct when you see it you willl kow somoething isn't quite right.

But with UTI's there are better signs to see like peeing issues can the cat pee a lot of UTI cats (boys) have issues with UTI's as it can lead to blockages where they can no longer pee and becomes dangerous, also their eating habits how their tummy feels and yes things like blood, but saying that we can't all panic if there is a spot of blood as cats have this sometimes

[crazycatlady1958]

Thanks for the information. My youngest cat has just turned 5, so really they are all "old girls" now, and I need to be more aware of possible problems than I am.

I actually just noticed that the backs of Lily's back legs and the bottom half of her tummy are, well, not exactly bald, but look like she's been shaved and the fur is just starting to grow back. This has happened more or less overnight. I can be quite confident about that, as at least every second night I give her a good brush (because she loves it, rarely because she needs it) and I would have noticed.

I can't find any fleas on her, although I did find a couple on Ruby, so I'm not sure if it's over-grooming for some reason other than fleas, or whether the fur has simply dropped out. She seems quite happy and has a good appetite. Maybe it's just old age!!

I'll keep an eye on it and if it continues to concern me I'll take her to the vet on Monday.

[raggiedoll]

how did the vet go?
The hair loss could be stress sometimes they just get like this also cats can get acne normally on the face though