Cat Urinary Problems

Friends are traveling across country with a cat that is developing bloody urine. Hematuria or blood in the urine is never normal. Hematuria is rare in cats, but bladder problems are not.
The most common cause of bladder problems in cats is stress, and we suspect stress is a big factor with this cat because the family is in the midst of moving. Stress increases cortisol levels, and cortisol alters bladder cell function so that the bladder becomes hyperirritable. Cortisol also blocks the immune system and bladder infections are more likely.

But because this cat had blood in the urine, it has more than simple stress-induced bladder disease. This cat may have problems with bladder stones or crystals, cancer, rat poisons, etc. Over the next few days, we’ll cover a common cause of hematuria—bladder stones and crystals.