It’s Bladder Season!

It can be frustrating if your cat begins urinating outside of the litter box.  Although stress and behavioral changes can be the cause, your feline friend may be crying out for medical attention.  Kidney disease, urinary tract infections, crystals or bladder stones are some of the causes of inappropriate urination.  Changes in water consumption, frequent urinations and straining to urinate are all signs that your pet should be seen by a veterinarian.  If your cat is straining to urinate and produces only small drops or no urine at all, please seek veterinary attention immediately.  Urethral blockage is life threatening when not treated.  Treatments for urinary tract disease vary from prescription diets to antibiotics, pheromone sprays to surgery. 

At Northstar Animal Care and Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital, we will assess your pet, their symptoms, and history.  We will then offer the appropriate diagnostics and treatments available.  At Northstar’s Pet Boarding (1600 W. 5^th Ave.), we can also board your pet under special supervision if they have a history of urethral blockage or other medical conditions.  Call Northstar at 488.4121 or Upper Arlington at 481.8014 with questions about your pet, or to make an appointment. 

PS. The recommended quantity of litter boxes is two per cat.  Litter box or litter type aversion can often be the cause of your cat’s misplaced eliminations.  Accidents near the box could be due to arthritic joints, keeping our cat from comfortably squatting low enough to stay in the box.