What is Glucose in the Urine?
Cats exhibiting symptoms such as excessive thirst should be brought to a veterinarian for examination. All cats should receive an annual wellness check with routine blood and urine tests. This will help to facilitate the early detection of common medical conditions such as the presence of glucose in the urine. Early diagnosis and treatment is often the key to a positive prognosis.
Glucose in the urine, also called glucosuria or glycosuria often indicates the presence of a more serious condition that can potentially be life-threatening if left untreated. Glucosuria is easily detected using a test strip that is dipped into a urine sample. Measurable amounts of glucose are not found in the urine of healthy cats. If glucose is detected, further diagnosis and medical treatment will be necessary.
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Symptoms of Glucose in the Urine in Cats
Symptoms of glucosuria will vary depending on the underlying cause. Affected cats may display one or more of the following:
- Diluted urine
- Renal failure
- Urinary tract disease
- Increased thirst
- Excessive drinking
- Increased appetite and weight loss (when diabetes is present)
- Decreased appetite and lethargy (when pancreatitis is present)
Types
- Hyperglycemic glucosuria occurs when there are abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood. It is sub-categorized as either transient (temporary) or persistent (resulting from ongoing disease).
- Normoglycemic glucosuria occurs when glucose is found in the urine without the presence of excess amounts in the blood. It is sub-categorized as either congenital (present at birth) or acquired.
Causes of Glucose in the Urine in Cats
The primary cause of glucosuria is a kidney disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus. Other causes vary depending on the subcategory of the condition.
Transient Hyperglycemic Glucosuria
- Extreme stress
- Adverse drug reaction
Persistent hyperglycemic glucosuria
- Systemic disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Overactive adrenal gland
- Acute pancreatitis
- Lesions on the brain, spine, or other areas of central nervous system
- Tumor on the adrenal gland
- Growth hormone disorder
- Sepsis (bacterial infection in blood)
- Chronic liver failure
- Exposure to heavy metal poisons and certain chemicals or drugs
Normoglycemic glucosuria
- Birth defect
- Acute kidney failure
Diagnosis of Glucose in the Urine in Cats
The presence of glucose in the urine is easily detected by dipping a test strip into a urine sample. The challenge lies in diagnosing the underlying cause of the condition so that it can be properly treated. The veterinarian will begin by reviewing the cat’s full medical history and discussing the onset of current symptoms. A physical exam will be completed and lab tests ordered, including complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry, electrolyte profile and urinalysis.
Treatment of Glucose in the Urine in Cats
Treatment recommendations depend on the underlying cause of the condition.
Urinary Tract Infection
When a urinary tract infection is present, an antibiotic will be prescribed. The specific type of antibiotic used will depend on the result of a bacterial culture.
Drug Interactions or Toxicity
If it is determined that drugs are the cause of the condition, they should be immediately discontinued and replaced with a substitute. A veterinarian should always be consulted prior to making any changes regarding the use of prescription medications. Cats should be kept away from other toxic substances that may be contributing to the presence of glucose in the urine. When a cat is suffering from toxicity, hospitalization and intensive treatment will be required.
Diabetes
Diabetes can be managed using prescription medications. Dietary changes are often recommended and insulin may be need to regulate blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis
Treatment of pancreatitis generally requires hospitalization. It may be necessary to use a feeding tube to ensure that the affected cat is receiving adequate nutrition.
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Recovery of Glucose in the Urine in Cats
Cats with glucose in the urine will need frequent follow-up appointments with a veterinarian and glucose testing will be required on a regular basis. It is likely that the vet will recommend a specific diet and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. Owners will need to closely observe their cats and report any symptoms or changes in behavior to the veterinary team. It is important to attend all follow-up appointments, even if the cat appears to have returned to normal.
For cats that have been diagnosed with pancreatitis, the outlook is guarded as survival rates depend on the severity of the disorder and owner’s ability to provide necessary treatment.
When diabetes has been diagnosed, medications will need to be closely monitored and it is likely that periodic adjustments will be needed. Owners should observe the cat’s eating and drinking habits and urine output. It is important that the cat is fed on a consistent schedule to maintain blood sugar levels. It is possible for diabetes treatment to result in hypoglycemia, a condition that occurs when the blood sugar drops to dangerously low levels. Regular testing will be necessary to ensure that blood sugar remains at appropriate levels. With proper treatment, diabetic cats can enjoy a healthy life for many years.
Glucose in the Urine Average Cost
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Glucose in the Urine Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
tabby
Kitty
16 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shallow Rapid Breathing
Arthrytis
Gloucose In Blood
Gloucose Not In Urine
Struggling To Walk
Faeces Dry
Hi my cat is 16 years old, not been eating or drinking for 3 days. Not moving much ,shallow breathing, she suffers from arthrytis. Blood and urine tests today show gloucose in blood but none in urine, any ideas?
Thanks Jennie
July 13, 2018
3 Recommendations
It really depends on the levels of blood glucose and fructosamine, elevated blood glucose may be stress induced so it is important to make the distinction whether it is an actual pathological increase or physiological one. A loss of appetite, lethargy, shallow breathing are all non-specific symptoms which may be attributable to various conditions (especially at her age) and the blood glucose may not be a relevant finding. Monitor Kitty and follow up with your Veterinarian if there is no improvement. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 14, 2018
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domestic short hair
Weasley
2 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating Outside Litterbox
My 2 year old domestic short hair ginger tabby female had 1000 glycosuria yesterday at vet and also on the UA showed "suspected presence of coco bacteria" but vet just thinks she has diabetes and not a uti. I know high glucose levels in urine can cause a uti, could she have both? Waiting for consult tomorrow evening.
June 27, 2018
2 Recommendations
Indeed, once the blood glucose levels reach a certain level, we’ll be expecting to see glucose in the urine too; urinary tract infections may occur but that would need to be confirmed by your Veterinarian before any treatment may begin. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 28, 2018
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Snowshoe
Mocha
15 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Urination Pain
My 15 year old female cat was diagnosed with a bad urinary tract infection and was put on antibiotics. They said there was some glucose in the urine and want to do a complete blood work up. I also checked her blood sugar levels and they were 335. My question is could the infection be causing these high numbers and glucose in urine.
April 9, 2018
6 Recommendations
Most likely the high blood glucose caused glycosuria (glucose in the urine) which caused the urinary tract infection, not the other way around; glucose should be monitored regularly and feeding times and quantities should be noted. You should discuss all this with your Veterinarian as they will be able to guide you through this. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 9, 2018
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Sphynx
Shazam
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vocal Prior To Urination
Does glucose in the urine make the urine alkaline? My 4 yo sphynx male has had issues with alkaline urine. He had struvite crystals and a pH of 7.8 on urinalysis. He is herpes positive and has had surgery to remove a corneal sequestrum on his left eye. He had ulcers in both eyes and was on tobramycin and famcyclovir for a few months. He was taken off of both medications back in December 2016. He is occasionally prescribed tobramycin eye drops for conjunctivitis. he is eating c/d urinary formula dry and wet food. I use pretty litter, and he turned it blue around September, which was when he was prescribed the food. It returned his urine ph to normal according to my vet and the litter remained normal. It has starting turning blue again (Which signals alkalinity). I have two cats in the home, but my girl is healthy as far as I know. She eats the c/d kibble, but gets normal wet food (like Rachel ray's, Purina one, higher quality wet food available at the pet stores). She gets this at night when she is separated from him. He cant get to it as he spends nights with my brother and she spends nights with me behind a shut door, and eats it all before he can get it. He was severely overweight when he was younger, nearly 15 lbs. he is down to around 11.5 now, and he is a very big cat, and likely should be a bit over 10 pounds at a healthy weight (according to the practitioners at my university who treated him for his herpes flare). I am worried that he may be becoming diabetic. he drinks an awful lot of water (I have a fountain and they drink bottled water from it). He urinates quite a bit also, and he usually is very vocal right before he goes to the box. he isn't losing any weight and he isn't lethargic. He and the kitten run around, play together, and are good friends. He runs around and plays very actively, could his thirst and increased urination be an early sign of diabetes? I am a college student who inherited this animal, but I love him dearly and am just trying to find the best way to economically make his life the best I can. I just don't have hundreds to drop on vet visits if nothing is really wrong. I am studying pharmacy with a veterinary inclination, so I have a good grasp of diabetes in humans, and the ability to understand feline disease states. Thank you for your time
March 7, 2018
1 Recommendations
Glucose doesn’t change the pH of urine, but some conditions (like diabetes with ketoacidosis) may cause an increase in glucose levels and have an effect on the urine pH (with ketoacidosis it lowers the pH). Increase in thirst and urination may be related to a variety of conditions which may include hormonal conditions, infections, diet, poisoning among many others; without an examination and blood tests etc… we cannot say whether there is something to be concerned about or not. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 7, 2018
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Glucose in the Urine Average Cost
From 382 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,200
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