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Feline Inappropriate Urinations
Inappropriate urinations in cats is a very complex problem. Is it behavioral? Is it a medical condition? These possibilities must be explored, but you should know that urinary tract infections are fairly uncommon in cats. Behavioral causes can be very challenging to determine. A complete physical examination and consultation with your veterinarian is the first step in controlling this condition..
Behavioral Causes
Feline behavioral urination cases are often referred to veterinary behaviorists because of the complexity of the problem. Urine marking serves as a communication function in cats. It is like a cat message board and our cats most likely don’t understand why we are not getting the message. Sometimes it is as basic as marking territory – simply saying, “I live here,” or “I am top cat here.” Changes in daily routine, boredom, stress (the cat’s or the owner’s), illness of a family member (including other pets), separation anxiety, unpleasant odors (inside or outside), or a cat in the neighborhood are all possible causes of behavioral urination problems. Your cat is not urinating to punish you. It is simple cat communication. Determine what the message is and make the changes necessary to help your cat. Speak to your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist as soon as you discover the problem. Don’t allow behavioral urination signs to continue. It is not uncommon for a cat to lose their “happy home” when these problems go undiagnosed.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
When all other possible causes of feline urinary tract disorders have been ruled out, we make a diagnosis of Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). Cystitis is defined as an inflammation of the urinary bladder and idiopathic means simply, the cause is unknown. Symptoms of FIC may include frequent urinations, blood in the urine, painful urination or urinations where the urine is released drop by drop due to spasmodic muscular contractions, and urinating in inappropriate places. (It is important to note here that while this behavior is inappropriate to us, it is completely appropriate to the cat. Cats suffering with FIC have valid reasons for choosing not to use their litter box.) Clinical signs of FIC often subside on their own in 4-7 days, but don’t wait to see your veterinarian. These symptoms could indicate, especially in male cats, a life-threatening urinary blockage.
If it is determined that your cat has FIC, there are some things you can do to help control the symptoms and decrease the chance of recurrence. Increased water consumption is the only treatment that has been proven to help reduce the signs of FIC. The easiest way to increase your cat’s water intake is to feed canned food exclusively. Also, keep a water bowl next to your cat’s food bowl and freshen the water daily. Some cats like their water bowl filled to the rim, others prefer to reach down into their water bowl to drink. Some prefer distilled water or bottled water to tap water. You could try a pet water fountain or allow the tub or a sink faucet to drip slowly. (Placing a shallow bowl under the dripping faucet allows them to drink without having to catch the drip.) Managing pain is important in treating your cat for FIC. Your veterinarian will dispense a medication to aid in pain control and to help decrease the muscle spasms. Pheromone therapy and other mood altering substances such as catnip have been used successfully in FIC treatment. Some FIC cats benefit from anti-anxiety medications - speak with your veterinarian about this option. Since many cats are unwilling to use their litter box during and after a bout of FIC, litter box management is an important step in the treatment. New boxes, new litter, different location – sometimes you have to think “outside of the box” to help lure your cat back to the box.
Inherited Disorders and Heritage Tests
 Those of us who have mixed heritage dogs have often wondered, “Exactly which breeds are in my pet?” Well, now you can satisfy your curiosity. There are several DNA tests available that will determine what breeds are in your mixed breed dog. The two primary tests are the Canine Heritage Breed Test®, which is run on a cheek swab sample and is available in pet stores and on-line, and The Wisdom Panel® which is run on a blood sample and is available at your veterinarian’s office and on-line from the manufacturer. Due to the higher amount of DNA in a blood sample, the Wisdom Panel® has a wider range of breeds that can be recognized, but the cheek swab test is also very sensitive.
Aside from simple satisfaction at finally knowing what breeds are in your pet, that knowledge can help you in understanding your pet’s behavioral characteristics and the potential health concerns. Many inherited disorders are breed specific and knowing if that breed is in your pet gives you the knowledge that there are conditions your dog is predisposed to develop.
These tests are not yet available for cats. If you have a purebred cat or are sure what breed your cat is, you may want to visit this website that details feline inherited disorders by breed. In next month's newsletter we will discuss inherited disorders more in-depth.
Congratulations Leslie!
Leslie Gunstream, one of our veterinary student employees, was married on July 12, 2008 to Tim Meko in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Our best wishes to the happy couple.
“Reverse Sneeze”
Officially called paroxysmal respiration, a reverse sneeze isn’t really a sneeze at all. During a regular sneeze air is forced out of the nose and mouth, but a reverse sneeze is a forceful inhalation. The dog makes a deep, snorting sound and appears to be struggling to breathe. Episodes of reverse sneezing generally last from a few seconds to a minute or two and can be quite alarming to the dog owner. However there is no reason to panic. It is caused by a spasm of the soft palate (tissue in the roof of the mouth – behind the hard palate). The trigger for a reverse sneeze episode is not fully understood.  Mild irritation to the nasal or laryngeal area caused by leash pulling, rapid eating or drinking, or excitement may start the event. Pug-nosed breeds (Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Bulldogs, Boxers, etc) are more likely to experience reverse sneezing, but it can occur in dogs of any size or breed. It is not a serious condition and the dog will not lose consciousness. It is not caused by any sort of respiratory disease.
Reverse sneezing should not be confused with the signs of a collapsed trachea. This condition is characterized by a frequent cough, true shortness of breath, and a honking sound (rather than a snort). A dog with a collapsed trachea should see a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Rarely, a cat will have a reverse sneezing episode, but symptoms like this in cats should be seen by a veterinarian since they mimic the signs of feline asthma and/or heartworm-associated respiratory disease.
North Carolina State University School of Veterinary Medicine has put a video of an Italian Greyhound having a reverse sneeze episode on YouTube.
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