Cats
The term polydipsia refers to a cat's excessive thirst manifested by excessive water intake, which in turn usually leads to polyuria, which is the formation and excretion of a large volume of urine. Polydipsia and Polyuria is commonly abbreviated and discussed using the letters "PU/PD".
Below is an overview of causes, diagnosis and treatment of excessive drinking and urinating in cats followed by detailed information about this condition.
One of the first steps in the evaluation of a cat with polyuria and polydipsia is to determine the urine concentration by a test called "urine specific gravity." The specific gravity of pure water is 1.000. Polyuria is suspected if the urine specific gravity is less than 1.035. This can be verified by measuring daily urine output. Polyuria is present if the cat's daily urine output is greater than 20 milliliters per pound of body weight per day.
Several diagnostic tests may be needed to determine the cause of polyuria and polydipsia because many different diseases may cause these symptoms. Tests may include:
There are several potential causes of polyuria and polydipsia, and the underlying cause of these symptoms must be determined before appropriate treatment can be initiated.
The occurrence of polyuria and polydipsia usually does not constitute an emergency, but several potentially serious diseases (such as diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, liver failure or high blood calcium caused by a malignancy) may be the underlying cause of the symptoms. Hypercalcemia can be a medical emergency and if identified should be treated appropriately with intravenous saline solution and diuretics.
You should also monitor your cat for any clinical abnormalities and discuss them with your veterinarian. Monitor the amount of water consumed by your cat and try to identify any changes in urinary behavior and urine output. Also monitor your cat's appetite and activity level. Discuss any changes you observe or concerns you may have with your veterinarian.
Polyuria and polydipsia cannot be prevented, and successful treatment depends on identification of the underlying disease causing these symptoms.
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