Urinary Problems & UTIs

Urinary problems are common in dogs and cats and can range from mild bladder inflammation to potentially life-threatening urinary obstructions. Signs such as frequent urination, straining, blood in the urine, or accidents in the house may indicate an underlying urinary tract condition that requires veterinary attention.

At Animal Urgent Care of Rocklin, our veterinary team evaluates and treats dogs and cats experiencing urinary difficulties, bladder infections, and other urinary tract disorders. We proudly serve pets throughout Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln, and surrounding communities.

Common Causes of Urinary Problems in Pets

Urinary symptoms can develop for several reasons, including:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Bacterial infections involving the bladder or other portions of the urinary tract.
• Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC): A common cause of urinary discomfort in cats involving bladder inflammation without an identifiable infection or other underlying cause.
• Urinary crystals (crystalluria): Microscopic mineral crystals that may be found in the urine, most commonly struvite crystals. Certain crystals can contribute to urinary stone formation or urinary obstruction.
• Bladder stones: Mineral deposits that can irritate the urinary tract and occasionally cause an obstruction.
• Urinary obstruction: A blockage that prevents normal urination, most commonly affecting male cats.
• Other medical conditions: Kidney disease, diabetes, and other illnesses that may contribute to changes in urination.

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)

Feline idiopathic cystitis is one of the most common causes of lower urinary tract symptoms in cats. Unlike a bacterial urinary tract infection, FIC involves bladder inflammation without an identifiable infectious cause. Stress, environmental changes, and inadequate water intake may contribute to episodes.

Cats with FIC may strain to urinate, make frequent trips to the litter box, pass small amounts of urine, or develop blood in their urine. Episodes can recur, making long-term management important.

Treatment may include pain management, increasing water consumption, environmental enrichment, stress reduction, and dietary modifications when appropriate. Because FIC can produce symptoms similar to those of a urinary obstruction, cats that are unable to urinate require immediate veterinary attention.

Because several urinary conditions can cause similar symptoms, diagnostic testing is often necessary to determine the underlying cause.

When Should You Seek Veterinary Care?

We recommend having your pet evaluated if they experience:

• Frequent attempts to urinate or straining in the litter box
• Passing small amounts of urine or urinating more frequently than normal
• Blood in the urine
• Urinating outside the litter box or having accidents indoors
• Crying out or showing discomfort while urinating
• Excessive licking of the genital area

Pets that are repeatedly straining but producing little or no urine, particularly male cats, may have a urinary obstruction. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.

How We Diagnose and Treat Urinary Problems

Our veterinarians begin with a physical examination, including assessment of the urinary bladder and overall hydration status.

Depending on your pet's symptoms, we may recommend urinalysis, urine culture, bloodwork, digital X-rays, or ultrasound to help identify infection, inflammation, bladder stones, or other abnormalities.

Treatment depends on the underlying condition and may include antibiotics when a bacterial infection is identified or strongly suspected, pain medications, fluid therapy, dietary recommendations, and other supportive care.

Pets with urinary obstructions may require emergency catheterization, hospitalization, or surgical treatment. For more complicated cases, our team can discuss additional treatment options or referral when appropriate.

Urinary Problems and UTI Treatment in Rocklin, CA

If your dog or cat is experiencing urinary difficulties or showing signs of a urinary tract infection, Animal Urgent Care of Rocklin is here to help.

We are located at 2303 Sunset Blvd., Suite 200, Rocklin, CA 95765.

Call us at (916) 857-8410 for more information about having your pet evaluated.