A condition during which a cat's protein content in urine increases significantly is called proteinuria. The protein components are small, so they easily pass through the renal glomeruli and exit together with urine. If the protein in the cat’s urine is contained in a small amount, then this condition can be attributed to normal, physiological. If there is too much of it, this indicates a pet's health problems. In this case, it is important to identify the cause of the disease in a timely manner and begin effective treatment.
There are a large number of factors that can provoke such manifestations. Only a veterinarian can determine the exact cause of the increase in protein. Next, we will talk about what actions the owner of a furry creature needs to take if his pet has found negative symptoms.
Causes of a large amount of protein
Significant changes in the composition of urine, in which the protein index increases, arise for various reasons and adversely affect the general condition of the animal. This organic substance, washed out of the body together with urine, is also found in the blood. Problems with its allocation - the main indicator of defeat.
The main causes of protein in the urine of a cat include:
- the presence of systemic diseases in the body (lupus erythematosus, during which the kidney is affected);
- chronic bacterial infections that spread to the urinary and circulatory system;
- infectious diseases, for example, erilkhoz or Lyme disease;
- diabetes, which mostly affects older cats
- pituitary pathology, including Cushing's disease;
- prolonged high blood pressure - hypertension appears not only in humans, but also in cats, in most cases in those who are already over 10 years old;
- hereditary factors that adversely affect the production of urine;
- inflammatory processes in the kidneys, including the ICD;
- long-term problems with the production of carbohydrates and proteins in the cat's body, which leads to serious problems with the functioning of the amyloid organ.
- inflammation of the circulatory system - a common reason why an animal has an increased content of organic matter in urine;
The greater the age of the pet, the higher the risk that it will have problems in which the amount of protein in the urine increases.
Diagnostic measures
If you suspect that the pet has proteinuria, the veterinarian prescribes a comprehensive treatment. But before you do this, a specialist will conduct the necessary diagnostics. It includes:
- Studies on the amount of carotene.
- Urinalysis for protein level. Its decryption is carried out by a specialist who helps to identify the substance content and its total density.
- Pressure measurement
- Conducting a blood test that helps determine the general physical condition of the pet. Decryption of the information obtained is carried out in the laboratory or by the veterinarian himself.
- Detection of creatinine, protein, in a cat’s urine by biochemistry.
If necessary, the veterinarian prescribes additional diagnostics, for example, ultrasound and a general examination of urine, which help determine the stones in the body. All important tests and examinations are determined by the physician who conducts the treatment of the animal. When the norm of protein in the cat’s urine is the upper limit, it’s not worth talking about any disease. This is acceptable, therefore, with such indicators of pathology can not be.
The main symptoms of the lesion
The main difficulty is that the increased protein in the cat's urine is accompanied by distinctive symptoms that are similar to many diseases. Because of this, an accurate diagnosis can be quite difficult. Signs by which you can determine the presence of a high level of protein in the urine may be as follows:
- complete or partial lack of appetite in the animal;
- regular nausea and vomiting in the cat;
- rapid weight loss;
- malaise, sick appearance;
- lethargy, worsening.
After the first signs of problems in the body have been identified in the animal, it is important to immediately visit a veterinarian who will help to make an accurate diagnosis and conduct effective and correct treatment until the condition worsens. Sometimes, when the amount of protein in the cat’s urine is greatly exceeded, the question may arise about its euthanasia. Since this procedure helps to avoid the torment of the pet, there is no other way out. As you can see, excessive excess of the norm of organic matter in urine is a rather dangerous condition, which is important to cure in a timely manner.
Therapeutic measures
Let's see what measures specialists usually take when detecting protein in a cat’s urine. Treatment begins immediately after the exact cause of the malaise is established. In this case, it is important to determine whether proteinuria is cancerous. If a problem with the amount of protein in the animal’s urine occurs with kidney cancer, then the treatment will be effective only in the early stages of the disease. If the process has already moved to a serious stage, then the pet can only be helped with supportive therapy, as well as the use of drugs to eliminate the pain syndrome.
If the specialist determines that the cat has problems with blood pressure, then he is prescribed a rehabilitation course of treatment using special means. Also, the pet may need a change in nutrition, from which salt and fats should be excluded. At the same time, drugs with omega-3 fatty acids are prescribed to restore the animal’s body and improve its condition. The cat should be supplemented daily.
Treatment progress
It is important that the owner of the animal closely monitor the progress of treatment and the condition of his pet. He also must follow all the recommendations of the veterinarian. The caring approach of the host greatly contributes to the recovery of the animal and helps to normalize the protein.
As a result of the treatment, the cat may have swelling. In this case, it is important to show it to the veterinarian without fail. The doctor, having determined how much protein is contained in urine, will draw up the correct and effective treatment and prescribe medications that will help eliminate excess fluid from the animal’s body. With timely treatment, the pet will be able to live normally for many more years.
Urinary protein counts
Urinalysis is a basic study in the laboratory, which is prescribed to determine the functioning of the kidneys, the state of the urinary tract and all the processes that occur in the body. The information obtained as a result helps to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the general nature of the disease. A laboratory examination is prescribed for suspected diseases of the urinary system, diabetes mellitus, as well as to monitor the course of the disease.
The main indicator in the analysis of urine is the amount of protein. Normally, a healthy animal should have no more than 0.3 g / l. Loss of organic matter should be minimal. A normal result of the analysis is considered when either total absence of protein or its minimum amount is determined in the urine. If there is too much of it in urine, then the doctor may order an additional examination, including an analysis of the ratio of protein to creatinine in the urine of a cat. In this case, the daily indicators of the released organic matter are clarified.
Features of proteinuria
Proteinuria can be divided into two types:
- Physiological (occurs due to the strong activity of the animal or hypothermia of its body). In this case, the protein in the urine does not exceed the level of 0.3 g / l.
- Pathological appearance (indicates the presence of serious health problems). The amount of protein in the urine exceeds the normal mark.
Varieties of pathology
The pathological type of proteinuria is divided into the following varieties:
- prerenal (muscle tissue damage, myeloma, erythrocyte hemolysis);
- postrenal (urethritis, cystitis and colpitis);
- glomerular (infectious processes, exposure to allergens, hypertension);
- tubular (interstitial nephritis, acute tubular necrosis and amyloidosis).
It is important to remember that an increased concentration of protein in urine in an animal can be associated both with problems in the functioning of the kidneys and with serious diseases. In some cases, poor tests result from improperly collected urine. The collection should be carried out according to special instructions given by the veterinarian.
additional information
In addition, if an animal has an increased protein content in the urine, it is important to pay additional attention to the transparency of urine excreted. The thing is that it has the properties of becoming cloudy in the presence of certain impurities in it, which include not only white blood cells, but also salts.
If there is salt sediment in the urine, the animal can accurately determine the urolithiasis, which in most cases affects cats. At risk are pets who have previously been castrated. This can be explained by the fact that a sharp decrease in activity as a result of an operation of this kind leads to a sedentary lifestyle and overeating of the animal, which most often occurs when a certain diet is not followed.
Infectious lesion
Often, a high protein content in a cat indicates an infectious lesion - cystitis, during which severe inflammation of the bladder mucosa begins. With such processes, a large number of small and large uroliths accumulate in the organs of the genitourinary system of the animal, which can only be eliminated through surgery. Proper and effective treatment can be prescribed only after a comprehensive diagnosis.