Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dark red urine in male cats with blocked urethra signals worse kidney
By Brabson, Tamera L et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2015·Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Correlation of gross urine color with diagnostic findings in male cats with naturally occurring urethral obstruction.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 75 male cats with urethral obstruction were examined to see if the color of their urine could indicate how serious their condition was. Cats with darker red urine were more likely to have higher levels of waste products in their blood, which can mean their kidneys are not working well. This darker urine suggested that these cats might need more intensive treatment. The study found that while urine color could signal kidney issues, it didn't help in detecting urinary stones.
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Abstract
Seventy-five male cats with urethral obstruction were prospectively enrolled to evaluate gross urine color at urinary catheter placement for correlation with diagnostic findings. Cats with darker red urine were more likely to be azotemic (serum creatinine concentration >2.0 mg/dl [177 µmol/l]), and urine color correlated well with serum creatinine and serum potassium concentrations. Darker urine color was negatively correlated with urine specific gravity. Urine color was not associated with the presence or absence of lower urinary tract stones on radiographs or ultrasound. Cats with darker red urine at the time of urinary catheter placement are likely to have more significant metabolic derangements and may require more aggressive supportive care.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25117491/