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Female Urogenital
Female Urogenital
The urogenital system includes the urinary and reproductive organs.
The urinary system is divided into two regions based on anatomy and function: upper (kidneys and ureters) and lower urinary (urinary bladder and urethra) tracts. The upper urinary tract filters metabolic wastes from the blood to be excreted into the urine. The kidneys also participate in blood pressure regulation and maintenance of the delicate electrolyte and water balance within the body-keeping only what is needed. The lower urinary tract serves as a reservoir for urine (bladder) and a pathway for excretion (urethra). Indications of a urinary tract problem are varied: excessive urination and drinking, straining to urinate, blood in the urine, odor to urine, changes in litter box habits, vomiting, diarrhea, inappetance, incontinence, and lethargy.
The genital system consists of the reproductive organs: the uterus and ovaries. These organs produce hormones and allow reproduction. Signs associated with problems of the genital tract include: discharge, odor, straining to urinate and/or defecate, and lethargy.
Common urogenital ailments affecting cats:
- Lower urinary tract disease (LUTD): also known as Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS). This common feline condition does not yet have a definitive cause. Male and female cats may be plagued with this condition. LUTD looks and acts like a urinary tract infection; however, there is no bacterial growth in the urine. Cats are inherently resistant to urinary tract infections because they produce highly concentrated urine. Significant urinary tract inflammation can occur to cause life threatening urinary tract obstruction.
- Kidney failure: acute and chronic. Acute kidney failure can be caused by infections, kidney stones, toxins, and drugs to name a few. Aging pets may develop chronic kidney failure. Often, by the time chronic kidney failure is diagnosed, the cause cannot be determined.
- Urinary bladder stones : some stones form due to the presence of infection; others form by mineral imbalances in the urine. Kidney stones are less common.
- Uterine infections (pyometra) : may occur in queens following a heat if pregnancy does not occur.
Bladder
Bladder
Urine, produced by the kidneys, is stored in the urinary bladder before exiting the body through the urethra. The urethra acts as a channel for urine excretion; its length offers protection against infection from the outside. Cats with urinary bladder inflammation (cystitis) strain to produce small amounts of urine (may appear as constipation), urinate outside the litter box, and may have blood in their urine. Common causes of urinary bladder inflammation include feline idiopathic interstitial cystitis and stones. Urinary tract infections affect cats less commonly due to their highly concentrated urine. An inability to urinate (straining with no urine production) requires emergency treatment to relieve the painful, life threatening obstruction.
Bladder stones
Urinary bladder stones develop when excessive minerals saturate the urine. Stones may also form in association with bladder infections and inherent metabolic abnormalities (e.g.: Dalmatians with urate stones). Pets with urinary bladder stones may show no symptoms; the stones are found incidentally when x-rays are taken for another purpose. Other patients may present with obvious signs: straining to urinate, producing small amounts of urine frequently, and blood in the urine. Stones within the bladder cause irritation but are rarely life threatening unless the stone lodges in the urethra causing an obstruction. This life threatening, painful situation must be treated immediately to prevent acute kidney failure. Diagnosis of urinary bladder stones requires imaging either with radiographs or by ultrasound. Treatment of the stones depends on the stone type and location of the stone. Stones causing obstruction must be surgically removed. Some non-obstructive stones may be dissolved with diet (e.g.: struvite), while others require surgical removal (e.g.: calcium oxalate, urate). Stones surgically removed will be analyzed to determine the composition of the stone and develop a prevention plan. Your veterinarian will discuss with you the best treatment options for your pet.
Kidneys
Kidneys
The kidneys, lying just under the spinal column, receive nearly 25% of the blood pumped out of the heart. The kidneys maintain water and electrolyte balance, regulate blood pressure and provide an elimination route for toxins. Illness due to kidney disease may be due to infection, inflammation, toxin ingestion (e.g.: lilies and antifreeze), and cancer. Symptoms of kidney disease vary widely depending on the underlying cause. Cats with acute (sudden) kidney failure are quite ill: vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia. In contrast, cats with chronic (slow onset) kidney failure may not show any outward signs of a problem; the kidney disease is often incidentally found on screening lab work. Regular wellness testing with blood and urine evaluations allows early detection and treatment of kidney disease.
Acute kidney failure (AKF)
Acute kidney failure (AKF) refers to a life threatening condition caused by sudden loss of kidney function. The kidneys function to clear the blood of metabolic toxins, maintain salt and water balance; they regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production. When the kidneys fail, these intricate mechanisms deteriorate causing illness characterized by vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and sometimes seizures. Causes of AKF include: toxins (e.g.: raisins, antifreeze/ethylene glycol, lilies, snake venom), infections (e.g.: Leptospirosis, bacteria), drugs (anti-inflammatory medications), and obstructions from stones or tumors. Diagnosis of AKF is based on history and physical examination combined with blood and urine testing. Further laboratory tests such as radiographs and abdominal ultrasound may be used to identify the underlying cause of the failure. Treatment requires aggressive intravenous fluid therapy (to flush the toxins out of the body), blood pressure regulation, acid-base and electrolyte correction, and medications for nausea. The prognosis for patients with AKF depends on the underlying cause and response to therapy.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
The kidneys function to clear the blood of metabolic toxins, maintain salt and water balance; they regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production. When the kidneys fail, these intricate mechanisms deteriorate causing illness. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) commonly occurs in the geriatric years or as a consequence of an acute episode of kidney failure. Early signs of kidney failure do not begin until there has been at least 2/3 loss of the kidney function. The earliest outward signs of chronic kidney failure include an increase in thirst and increase in urine volume. Early CKD may be detected incidentally on screening blood work as part of wellness testing. Symptoms of progressive CKD develop gradually over time: declining appetite, weight loss, poor hair coat, anemia, and intermittent vomiting to name a few. While CKD is irreversible, many treatments are available to slow down the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. Treatments focus on maintenance of: appetite, water and salt balance, red blood cell counts, nutrition (replace losses of essential vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes), and normalizing elevated blood pressures.
Spay
Spay
Female cats that will not be used for breeding should be spayed prior to the first heat cycle. Spaying is the surgical removal of both ovaries and the uterus to prevent unwanted pregnancies, life threatening uterine infections, and mammary cancer later in life. It is important to remember that the spay procedure is a major abdominal surgery and recovery time from surgery will be needed. Your recovering cat needs to be rested-no running or jumping as overactivity can lead to complications such as bleeding, infection, and breakdown of the incision.
VPAH Now offers Telemedicine for your furry friends!
Convenient care at home, explore our telemedicine services designed to provide quick consultations for your furry friends without the stress of a clinic visit.
What We Offer:
- Virtual consultations for minor health issues, follow-ups, and behavioral consultations
- Advice on medication management, dietary needs, and wellness checks
Prepare:
- Have your pet's medical history ready for discussion
How to Book a Virtual Appointment:
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