The cat drips urine all
over the apartment
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
Date:
05 May, 2011
Case was first recorded: Around 2000 |
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Be Kind To Pets
Veterinary Education
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Things do come in 3s. This is the 3rd case within a short
period of 7 days of a cat unable to pee normally. Dr Jason Teo
saw the case at night on April 3, 2011. The owner called in
the daytime to know about the progress as she was a student
and worried about the veterinary costs. I do follow up during
the day time as well as to teach my new assistant Mr Min in
cat handling as he seemed to have a few cat scratches on his
right hand. I did not ask how he got them yet but I know he
has no experience handling cats.
"For the past 1 week, my cat could not urinate normally," the
young lady said over the phone. "He dripped urine all over the
apartment."
This is the 3rd case of FLUTD. Typical. Male, neutered,
5-year-old cat fed dry and canned food. A young cat inside the
apartment sometimes fought with him but other than that, there
was apparently no change in diet or environment. The owner did
not want to pay for the urine and blood tests and so they were
not done yesterday.
The owner needed to be educated that urine test must be taken
to assess for the type and presence of urinary crystals
(calcium oxalate as in my 2nd of 3 cases, none in my lst of 3
cases). Without urine testing, the vet just could not know
recommend prevention programs effectively. Urine could be
collected during catherisation as the cat was tranquilised, as
part of the standard operating procedure for examination and
to prevent misunderstandings from family members who might be
misled that the vet was incompetent for not doing a urine test
as expected of a reasonable vet in the same situation.
EXAMINATION 12-HOURS AFTER CATHERISATION LAST NIGHT
"The cat is fierce," Min said as the cat extended his claws
when picked up for examination. I could see that this cat did
not claw unless provoked further. I sedated him with the
minimal dose 0.05 ml xylazine and 0.2 ml ketamine. He was
quiet and isoflurane gas by mask anaesthesized him. I checked
his bladder. It was empty and so I could not collect much
urine. I could see red blood in the urine and he cat was
slightly dehydrated. I gave him dextrose saline and
antibiotics SC. The cat was given isoflurane for less than 5
minutes. After taking the gas off, the cat woke up fast and
started to claw.
"Cover him with a big towel," I said to Min. A big towel must
be ready for cats as it is hard to gripe an angry cat. This
cat was the type who was not aggressive towards people. I saw
that Min
already had three fresh skin scratches on his hands and
presumed he had got injured when holding some cats for my
associate vets.
"Stroke the cat's chin," I
taught Min to tickle the lower neck/jaw area. He felt strange
and alien doing such an act. He had never heard of such
soothing treatments. I presume that Yangon in Myanmar where he
stayed does not have many cats. The cat quietened. I cut
one of the two catheter' stitches while Min held the cat
wrapped in a towel. Then we reversed roles so that he could
gain some hands-on experience.
INITIATING CAUSE.
Unknown. There is another younger cat in the apartment. The
urine and blood is being tested.
I phoned and discussed with Dr Teo the case to send the cat home to his
familiar surroundings of food and litter box and to observe.
The owner would be taking him home at night. She had given
permission for blood and urine tests and these would be given
to her the next day.
For all FLUTD cases, a urine test is advised. The young lady
had a lot of questions as to what's happening. Without a urine
test, it is very difficult to substantiate. Evidence-based
medicine is good medicine. Follow ups will be done. Related themes happen in threes
and since this is the 3rd FLUTD, I don't
expect a 4th FLUTD soon.
P.S The other 2 recent cases are:
1.
The hissing cat has
difficulty peeing again
Initiating Cause - shift to new house recently.
Was treated by Vet 1 whose medical records did not indicate
struvite. Cat was on Hills' S/D canned food for around 2 weeks
as prescribed by Vet 1. No crystals found in the urine tested.
2
The cat cannot pee normally
- 2 cases (the 2nd case in
2011)
Initiating Cause - humping by the other male cat for
the past months is likely to traumatise this cat's penile area
but the owner does not agree with this hypothesis. Calcium
oxalate ++ present in the urine tested. This case shows that a
urine test is very important for preventive measures.
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