You Make The Diagnosis: Cat Urinating Outside Litter Box

The following x-ray is of a female/spayed cat who started urinating outside the box.  She urinated on throw rugs, under a desk, in the sink and in the clothes basket.  Unfortunately, the clothes were clean.  Study the x-ray closely and then make your diagnosis. 


 
Diagnosis:  Urinary stones in the bladder and kidneys

Cats are susceptible to several types of urinary tract stones.  If the stones contain calcium, they show up on x-rays like bone.  The two most common types of radio opaque stones are struvite and calcium oxalate.  See the oval shaped white spot just under the hips?  This is a stone in the urinary bladder.  The black colored areas in the center of the abdomen are gas in the intestines.  Look on the left side of the x-ray above the gas filled intestines and below the spinal column.  There are two small stones in the cat’s kidneys. 

Published by kristennelsondvm

Dr. Kristen Nelson grew up on a farm in Watertown, Minn., where she developed a deep love for animals of all kinds. She received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. Kris then completed a small-animal internship at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in New York City. In addition to writing and speaking, she cares for small and exotic animals in Scottsdale, Az. Dr. Nelson is widely quoted in the media. Her credits include Ladies’ Home Journal, USA TODAY, the Los Angeles Times and numerous radio and television interviews. Dr. Nelson has written two books, Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life and Coated With Fur: A Blind Cat’s Love. Kris and her husband Steve share their home with rescued cats, birds and a dog.