Blood in the Urine in Cats

Veterinarians use the word hematuria to describe blood in your cat’s urine. Blood in the urine can be a sign of infection, a hereditary condition, or a more serious health issue.

If your cat develops a problem in the urinary tract, you may see some blood in his urine. This can be a sign of a mild condition or it may be a sign of a more serious, underlying condition.

The signs associated with blood in the urine depend on the cause of the condition. Here are some of the most common signs that can accompany blood in your cat’s urine:

• Red colored urine
• Passing urine more frequently than normal
• Palpable mass in cats who have tumors
• Pain when urinating
• Licking of urinary area
• Strong odor of ammonia in urine
• Prolonged squatting or straining while in the litter box
• Avoiding the litter box
• Urinating in unusual places inside
• Distended abdominal area
• Excessive thirst
• Vomiting
• Lethargy

Types

There are several different types of conditions that could cause your cat to have blood in his urine. Some of the most common are:

• Infection
• Sterile cystitis (FLUTD)
• Bladder stones or crystals
• Physical abnormalities of the urinary tract
• Bladder cancer

A variety of conditions can cause hematuria to occur. They range from mild to very serious and include:

• Abnormality of the urinary tract
• Infection
• Blood clotting disorders
• Trauma
• Cancer of the urinary tract that may occur with e.g. a transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
• Bladder stones
• Abnormal urine pH leading to crystal formation
• Medications
• Idiopathic, or of unknown origin

Your veterinarian will need information from you before examining your cat to determine the cause of hematuria. He will begin by asking you some questions about your cat’s health and behavior. Be sure to give as much information as possible regarding your cat’s history, pre-existing medical conditions and any trauma that may have occurred. Your doctor will also ask you when the signs first started and if they have increased in severity recently. 

After taking a medical history, your doctor will examine your cat. A blood sample will be taken from your cat, as well. A CBC, or complete blood count, biochemical profile and urinalysis may be run at this time. Your veterinarian may also use a strip to determine if red discoloration in his urine is actually blood. 

Diagnostic tests such as in-house X-rays may be used to diagnose the cause of hematuria in cats. A urinary tract ultrasound may also be performed to provide additional information, depending on what your doctor suspects the problem may be. A CT scan with contrast dye may also provide a detailed picture of your cat’s urinary tract. If your doctor palpates a mass in your cat’s abdomen, he may want to schedule a biopsy. During this procedure, he would take a small tissue sample of any detected mass and send it to an outside laboratory. This is the procedure used to determine if a growth is benign or malignant. 

It is important to treat the cause of hematuria as soon as possible to avoid serious complications. Cats that have blood clotting diseases can lose a great deal of blood in a short period of time. Conditions such as bladder stones or 'sludge'  can completely obstruct the bladder and cause it to rupture. This is a life-threatening situation for your pet, and this is why blood in the urine is never something to ignore.  

The treatment for blood in your cat’s urine depends largely upon the condition causing it. If infection is causing hematuria, your veterinarian may place your cat on antibiotics until the infection clears. Cats that are dehydrated or unstable will be treated with IV fluids. Conditions causing blood in your cat’s urine such as diabetes must be treated accordingly to clear hematuria. If the reaction is suspected to be a medical side effect, the vet may decide to stop the medicine. It is dangerous to stop some medications quickly, so your doctor may have to taper your cat from them. In some instances, this is enough to stop hematuria from occurring. 

If your doctor finds bladder stones or tumors in the urinary tract, surgery may be recommended.

Your cat’s recovery will depend on the cause of the condition and the treatment your doctor prescribes. It is important to attend all follow-up visits if necessary, give your cat all prescribed medications and report any negative changes in his condition to your veterinarian. With prompt diagnosis and proper treatment, many cats go on to recover from blood in the urine. Certain conditions may require ongoing treatment and management, but it is well worth it if your cat goes on to lead a happy, long life.