Pus in the Urine in Cats

Pus in the urine in cats, or pyuria, is not an illness or disease in itself, but rather a clinical symptom of present health conditions. Pus in the urine is caused by an infection of bacteria, fungus, or yeast found somewhere in the upper or lower urinary tract system of the feline. The pus itself is a combination of white blood cells and proteins sent from the feline’s immune system to fight off the bacterial infection. The presence of pus in the urine is caused by noninfectious or infectious pathological processes that causes cell damage, inflammation, and an elevated immune response. Pus in the urine in cats is a sign that a feline is suffering from a severe infection that can only be diagnosed by a veterinary professional.

If you noticed that your cat’s urine has a strong odor and is cloudy in appearance, she may have pus in the urine. The change in the urine itself may be the only symptom a cat owner notices, as pus in the urine in cats is not a disease or illness, but a symptom of a larger condition at hand. A cat that has pus in his or her urine is an indication of an infection, as the pus itself is an abnormally large accumulation of white blood cells. The immune system only releases extra white blood cells when an infection is detected. Common causes of pus in the urine in cats could be a bladder infection, kidney infection, or infection of the reproductive organs.

Pyuria is a symptom in itself and can be noted by urine with a strong, or foul odor paired with a cloudy appearance. Symptoms that often accompany pyuria have to do with the dominant feline health condition. Common symptoms seen in cats with pus in the urine can include: 

• Cloudy urine
• Fever 
• Pain during urination
• Dehydration 
• Foul-smelling urine 
• Polyuria (frequent need to urinate) 
• Straining to pass urine
• Polydipsia (increased water intake) 
• Inflamed vaginal or penile external organs 
• White or yellowish discharge 
• Redness of the urinary tissues
• Inability to urinate
• Depression

There are many causes for pus in the urine in cats. Since pus is evidence of white blood cells released to destroy foreign elements that are attacking the body, pus in the urine is caused by infections in the upper or lower urinary tract system. The kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra, which are the main organs of the urinary system, could be infected by a species of bacteria or fungi. Stones can also affect these urinary organs and can be the underlying cause for the presence of  urinary pus. Additionally, the reproductive organs in females can also develop an infection (pyometra) with pyuria being the main symptom. Trauma or the development of a tumor can affect all of these urinary organs, and in turn, cause pus to be present in the urine of a cat.

As pus in the urine in cats is a symptom and is not a diagnostic illness, the veterinarian will find pyuria in his/her diagnostic proceedings. The examination of urine, known as a urinalysis, is the common process through which a vet may detect pyuria. Upon examination of the urine, the doctor may note the presence of neutrophils (white blood cells) to be of a higher concentration and a urine culture may be requested. A urine culture is a laboratory test that will allow the particles of infectious material to grow in order to detect what type of material is attacking the cat’s urinary system. The vet may also x-ray or scan the bladder.

The treatment of pus in the urine in cats is based on the condition the veterinarian found during diagnostics. Administration of an oral antibiotic is a common treatment method used with the presence of pus in the urine. The culture test that pinpointed which strain of bacteria is causing the problem will determine which type of antibiotic the vet will prescribe. Intravenous fluids may also be given to your cat to reverse dehydration and encourage urination to further eliminate the infection from the body. For some, a bladder supplements and urinary supportive diet will be started.

The prognosis for pus in the urine in cats lies dependent on the dominant health condition the feline was diagnosed with. Cats with bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections have a very positive prognosis as aggressive treatments usually correct this common urinary health problem. If the your veterinary noted the presence of a tumor, your cat may not have as good of a prognosis depending on its location and on how long the tumor has been allowed to manifest in the current location.