Fergie is peeing blood

WhiteKitties · 12-11-2010, 08:36 AM

Fergie is peeing blood, and of course the first thought in our heads is UTI. However, we put up the Christmas tree yesterday and I'm wondering if it's possible that she ate some needles and got cut by one and that caused the blood? It's an artificial tree and pretty old so it doesn't take much for needles to fall off. Fergie has a reputation for eating anything that fits in her mouth, so I'm pretty worried right now.

We didn't notice anything before today - Fern was asking hubby to take the lid off the litter box and when he did he noticed some blood on the side, then watched Fergie jump in and pee blood. He also noticed a very small spot of throw-up in our room, but there was nothing in it. She's acting normal and eating normal.

Not sure what could have caused a UTI if that's what it is - the girls had their yearly checkup on Monday and everything looked fine. They don't eat any fish and I haven't changed their diet in over a year. She drinks plenty of water, so even though about half their diet is dry food I would think I would have had a problem ages ago if that was an issue.

Susan · 12-11-2010, 08:58 AM

At a minimum, I would call the vet and describe what you're seeing and then take the vet's advice as to when/whether to bring her in. It could be a UTI or other urinary tract problem. It could also be trauma to the abdomen as a result of the pine needles, although if so, the result of the trauma might require treatment in any event. It could also be the result of poisoning and/or various other issues. If your hubby saw blood on the side and then saw Fergie peeing blood, then she's already done so at least twice now, which to me warrents a call to the vet. I hope she's ok.

RachandNito · 12-11-2010, 09:20 AM

Even if she ate some pine needles that irritated her tummy, I don't see how it would cause there to be blood in the urine. I think it's probably a UTI or some kind of cystitis, and you should take her to the vet as soon as possible.

Auntie Crazy · 12-11-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachandNito

Even if she ate some pine needles that irritated her tummy, I don't see how it would cause there to be blood in the urine. I think it's probably a UTI or some kind of cystitis, and you should take her to the vet as soon as possible.

I can't think of any non-serious peeing blood scenario; the only call I'd be making is to tell the vet I'm on my way.

AC

And just because a cat has done ok on dry kibble "so far" doesn't mean the constant stress of digesting those products hasn't finally worn her systems down.

laurief · 12-11-2010, 11:28 AM

Peeing blood definitely necessitates a trip to the vet. It could be a UTI, urinary crystals, bladder or kidney stones, cystitis, or any combination thereof ... or it could be something else. It any event, it ain't good!

Get her to your vet, and make sure the vet obtains a sterile urine sample from her IN HIS OFFICE for IMMEDIATE testing. Do NOT allow him to send you home to obtain a sample and bring it in later. Urine samples collected at home will be contaminated and will NOT provide accurate test results. Even urine samples collected in the vet's office and allowed to sit around before testing will not give accurate results. The ONLY way to get accurate results from a urine sample is to acquire a sterile sample in the vet's office and test it immediately.

Laurie

WhiteKitties · 12-11-2010, 01:53 PM

Hubby took her to the vet as soon as they opened - they want a urine sample but her bladder was empty so they're keeping her for a while in the hope of getting a sample from her. She won't drink while she's there though - she'll be too stressed. Hopefully there's enough liquid working through her for them to get a sample later on.

They did an ultrasound of her bladder and said the bladder walls are thicker than normal - anyone know what that could mean?

laurief · 12-11-2010, 02:16 PM

I don't know what thick bladder walls mean, sorry.

The vet can easily administer fluids either subQ or IV so that Fergie will eventually produce urine for them.

RachandNito · 12-11-2010, 02:22 PM

Thickened walls could mean inflammation. It doesn't surprise me.

Auntie Crazy · 12-11-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteKitties

Hubby took her to the vet as soon as they opened - they want a urine sample but her bladder was empty so they're keeping her for a while in the hope of getting a sample from her. She won't drink while she's there though - she'll be too stressed. Hopefully there's enough liquid working through her for them to get a sample later on.

They did an ultrasound of her bladder and said the bladder walls are thicker than normal - anyone know what that could mean?

One possibility is inflammation, which probably indicates some type of infection.

So glad you got her seen right away! Hope the vet can get an adequate sample soon.

<<<Hugs>>> for having to deal with the worry. I've only had to leave my kitties with the vet once (during the 2007 pet food poisoning) and it was awful, so I can empathize with you.

AC

WhiteKitties · 12-11-2010, 03:04 PM

Well she's home now - they got a sample and it was very bloody. The diagnosis is a UTI and they gave hubby Clavamox. He opted for the liquid over pill, yuck. Either way it's hard to medicate her but with the liquid we end up getting it all over. We use the trick of scruffing her on her side on the floor and slowly squirting it into the side of her mouth but it's still a huge pain and of course she hates it. By the time we get to the last few days of the 10 days it's hard to get her to come near us.

Vet wants us to bring her in for a follow-up at the end of the month - if all is well and the bloody pee stops are we okay to skip that?

12-11-2010, 08:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
WhiteKitties Cool Cat Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 1,179	Fergie is peeing blood Fergie is peeing blood, and of course the first thought in our heads is UTI. However, we put up the Christmas tree yesterday and I'm wondering if it's possible that she ate some needles and got cut by one and that caused the blood? It's an artificial tree and pretty old so it doesn't take much for needles to fall off. Fergie has a reputation for eating anything that fits in her mouth, so I'm pretty worried right now. We didn't notice anything before today - Fern was asking hubby to take the lid off the litter box and when he did he noticed some blood on the side, then watched Fergie jump in and pee blood. He also noticed a very small spot of throw-up in our room, but there was nothing in it. She's acting normal and eating normal. Not sure what could have caused a UTI if that's what it is - the girls had their yearly checkup on Monday and everything looked fine. They don't eat any fish and I haven't changed their diet in over a year. She drinks plenty of water, so even though about half their diet is dry food I would think I would have had a problem ages ago if that was an issue. __________________ ~Diana, happy mom to Fern and Fergie

12-11-2010, 08:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Susan Premier Cat Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,632	At a minimum, I would call the vet and describe what you're seeing and then take the vet's advice as to when/whether to bring her in. It could be a UTI or other urinary tract problem. It could also be trauma to the abdomen as a result of the pine needles, although if so, the result of the trauma might require treatment in any event. It could also be the result of poisoning and/or various other issues. If your hubby saw blood on the side and then saw Fergie peeing blood, then she's already done so at least twice now, which to me warrents a call to the vet. I hope she's ok. __________________ Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

12-11-2010, 09:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
RachandNito Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,611	Even if she ate some pine needles that irritated her tummy, I don't see how it would cause there to be blood in the urine. I think it's probably a UTI or some kind of cystitis, and you should take her to the vet as soon as possible. __________________ Rachel and... & the rest of the furry family: Elfie, Rusty, Rico, Thackery Binx, Tory, & Kovie Certified Veterinary Emergency Technician

12-11-2010, 01:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
WhiteKitties Cool Cat Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 1,179	Hubby took her to the vet as soon as they opened - they want a urine sample but her bladder was empty so they're keeping her for a while in the hope of getting a sample from her. She won't drink while she's there though - she'll be too stressed. Hopefully there's enough liquid working through her for them to get a sample later on. They did an ultrasound of her bladder and said the bladder walls are thicker than normal - anyone know what that could mean? __________________ ~Diana, happy mom to Fern and Fergie

12-11-2010, 02:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
RachandNito Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,611	Thickened walls could mean inflammation. It doesn't surprise me. __________________ Rachel and... & the rest of the furry family: Elfie, Rusty, Rico, Thackery Binx, Tory, & Kovie Certified Veterinary Emergency Technician

12-11-2010, 11:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
laurief Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: northern Minnesota Posts: 2,576	Peeing blood definitely necessitates a trip to the vet. It could be a UTI, urinary crystals, bladder or kidney stones, cystitis, or any combination thereof ... or it could be something else. It any event, it ain't good! Get her to your vet, and make sure the vet obtains a sterile urine sample from her IN HIS OFFICE for IMMEDIATE testing. Do NOT allow him to send you home to obtain a sample and bring it in later. Urine samples collected at home will be contaminated and will NOT provide accurate test results. Even urine samples collected in the vet's office and allowed to sit around before testing will not give accurate results. The ONLY way to get accurate results from a urine sample is to acquire a sterile sample in the vet's office and test it immediately. Laurie

12-11-2010, 02:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
laurief Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: northern Minnesota Posts: 2,576	I don't know what thick bladder walls mean, sorry. The vet can easily administer fluids either subQ or IV so that Fergie will eventually produce urine for them.

12-11-2010, 03:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
WhiteKitties Cool Cat Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 1,179	Well she's home now - they got a sample and it was very bloody. The diagnosis is a UTI and they gave hubby Clavamox. He opted for the liquid over pill, yuck. Either way it's hard to medicate her but with the liquid we end up getting it all over. We use the trick of scruffing her on her side on the floor and slowly squirting it into the side of her mouth but it's still a huge pain and of course she hates it. By the time we get to the last few days of the 10 days it's hard to get her to come near us. Vet wants us to bring her in for a follow-up at the end of the month - if all is well and the bloody pee stops are we okay to skip that? __________________ ~Diana, happy mom to Fern and Fergie

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