Blood clot in urine

[Coffees-and-cats]

Quick background: Thomas was in DKA last week, stayed at hospital for 48 hours, home now. Vet started him on 3 units 2x day of Novolin, I quickly determined that was too much and have been giving 1 or .5 units for a few days. Last night Thomas peed normally and I tested for ketones, it was between negative and trace but I think it WAS negative I just kept walking around with it looking under different lights so long it started to get darker.

Anyway, this morning I heard Thomas get into the big litterbox in my room and scratch around. I checked the clock, it was 30 minutes before my alarm so I decided to try to nap. He jumped into the window. Then a few minutes later he was back in the litterbox. I got up because that's not normal and found two small bright red blood clots in the litterbox (one with some pee around it and one without.) I picked him up and saw blood on his urethra.

Grabbed my phone and called the vet while going into the kitchen to test him. He followed, asking for food. Vet said I could bring him in today or tomorrow. I decided just to take him today. His blood sugar was 303 this morning and he ate a little so I shot just a .5 I told them when I took him in that he is NOT on the 3 units of insulin and noted what I had shot. Took his blood clots from the box and his W/D with him in case he's hungry there. Before I took him to the vet he went back to the box and peed a little, no blood, but a smaller amount than usual.

Anyone have any experience with blood clots in urine after DKA? I'm thinking partial blockage? Or maybe from the tests last week?

I think Thomas hates money and doesn't want Mommy to have any. I have to go to MY actual doctor soon (another long story, UGH)

I'm so FRUSTRATED and exhausted right now.

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

Oh I forgot to mention that last night he seemed sort of nauseous. So since I have a prescription for Zofran myself (motion sickness) I quartered a pill and gave it to him. He started eating about an hour later.

 

[Critter Mom]

You were absolutely right to bring Thomas straight to the vet. Males are much more prone to their urethras becoming blocked. It's a very serious situation. The frequent, small pees point to some sort of lower urinary tract problem. As a ketone-prone kitty it's even more important to address these things quickly. Possible causes are infection or cystitis. Diabetics are more prone to urinary tract issues - especially when they're not fully regulated as the sugar in the urine can promote bacterial growth.

Be sure to let us know how things go. I hope Thomas feels better very soon.




Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

Re the nausea, did the vet suggest getting blood work done to check kidney function?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Quick background: Thomas was in DKA last week, stayed at hospital for 48 hours, home now. Vet started him on 3 units 2x day of Novolin, I quickly determined that was too much and have been giving 1 or .5 units for a few days. Last night Thomas peed normally and I tested for ketones, it was between negative and trace but I think it WAS negative I just kept walking around with it looking under different lights so long it started to get darker.

Anyway, this morning I heard Thomas get into the big litterbox in my room and scratch around. I checked the clock, it was 30 minutes before my alarm so I decided to try to nap. He jumped into the window. Then a few minutes later he was back in the litterbox. I got up because that's not normal and found two small bright red blood clots in the litterbox (one with some pee around it and one without.) I picked him up and saw blood on his urethra.

Grabbed my phone and called the vet while going into the kitchen to test him. He followed, asking for food. Vet said I could bring him in today or tomorrow. I decided just to take him today. His blood sugar was 303 this morning and he ate a little so I shot just a .5 I told them when I took him in that he is NOT on the 3 units of insulin and noted what I had shot. Took his blood clots from the box and his W/D with him in case he's hungry there. Before I took him to the vet he went back to the box and peed a little, no blood, but a smaller amount than usual.

Anyone have any experience with blood clots in urine after DKA? I'm thinking partial blockage? Or maybe from the tests last week?

I think Thomas hates money and doesn't want Mommy to have any. I have to go to MY actual doctor soon (another long story, UGH)

I'm so FRUSTRATED and exhausted right now.

Yes, I have +++ experience with blood clots in urine. It can happen if there's a UTI going on but also if kitty is having an episode of cystitis with no infection. He might not be blocked. You have to watch the litter box for pee clumps. If they're there, he's able to pee. He might pee in other places in distress - beside the litter box, in the bath tub, etc.

The vet might prescribe antibiotics "just in case". sometimes pain meds (buprenorphine) or maybe an antispasmodic (prazosin). One thing that helps a lot is adding warm water to the wet food to make a stew. Hydration is helpful during an episode and afterward to help prevent them.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I would call the vet about the blood clot n the urine. I have seen that for some of my cats but when further observed the litter box I did not see any more.
Yes, Zofran (generic name ondansetron). is an antinausea drugs use in cats and dogs as well as humans

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

Re the nausea, did the vet suggest getting blood work done to check kidney function?

They checked his kidneys last week at the hospital and it was ok.

Thomas has had cystitis before, in September.

He had a regular wee last night at 11pm and a tiny one this morning so if it is a blockage it's a partial block. Since I have to spend the afternoon away from home I decided to take him in today. They're fully booked but running tests between patients.

 

[Critter Mom]

Be sure to let us know how he gets on.




Mogs
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[Coffees-and-cats]

Here's what I know so far

The vet found a blood clot in his bladder. She suspects he may also have a kidney stone and asked me for permission to do an X ray.

Annnnd that's all I know for now.

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

Thomas has no stones but a large blood clot in his bladder. He is trying to urinate but only passing small amounts of urine. The vet sent him home but she did mention the blood clots could potentially block his urethra....

Since being home he has peed a tiny amount twice. this really sucks. It was another $470 today and his hospitalization was 2300 and he's still struggling.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Thomas has no stones but a large blood clot in his bladder. He is trying to urinate but only passing small amounts of urine. The vet sent him home but she did mention the blood clots could potentially block his urethra....

Since being home he has peed a tiny amount twice. this really sucks. It was another $470 today and his hospitalization was 2300 and he's still struggling.

Did the vet say anything about whether this clot might break down on its own?

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

Did the vet say anything about whether this clot might break down on its own?

Yes, she believes it is breaking down and that's why he's peeing small pieces of clot. She did mention however, that a piece of clot could cause a blockage.

He didn't eat much last night or this morning before going to the vet so I'm hoping if i feed him well and he's drinking water that his urine output will increase.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Yes, she believes it is breaking down and that's why he's peeing small pieces of clot. She did mention however, that a piece of clot could cause a blockage.

He didn't eat much last night or this morning before going to the vet so I'm hoping if i feed him well and he's drinking water that his urine output will increase.

Add warm water to his wet food if he'll tolerate it.

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

Add warm water to his wet food if he'll tolerate it.

Will do! I put a little boiled chicken and ground it up in warm water and he mowed it down. He's a very tolerant cat. Other than this he is acting more normal today than he has in a while. Following me around, chirping, playing a little. I'm watching him for signs of distress or nausea and ready to treat for either or taka him to the er again if I have to.

 

[Critter Mom]

Awwww! Poor Thomas.

(((Thomas)))

Sending prayers and healing vibes ...




Mogs
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[Coffees-and-cats]

Awwww! Poor Thomas.

(((Thomas)))

Sending prayers and healing vibes ...




Mogs
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Those healing vibes seem to be helping right now! Thomas ate the stew I made him, drank some water, took a nap, and then had a fairly normal (a bit small and bloody) sized wee. He had another one just a few minutes ago and is snacking again.

His glucose is WAY down tonight so I skipped his dose. I hope it isn't sky high in the morning.

 

[Critter Mom]

Those healing vibes seem to be helping right now!

Yay!

Great that Thomas is peeing OK thus far! (One of my boys got blocked one time and had to be catheterized so I understand the worry.)

Other than this he is acting more normal today than he has in a while. Following me around, chirping, playing a little.

His glucose is WAY down tonight

Wondering whether something is getting better in the body. Better clinical signs plus those last three numbers are in the normal range for a non-diabetic cat - on no insulin. (The last Novolin dose should be well out of Thomas' system by now.)

Did the vet give Thomas any pain relief or antibiotics?


Mogs
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[Coffees-and-cats]

Sorry I'm just seeing this, spent most of the day wrapping presents. And following Thomas to the litter box to watch him pee. haha.

Thomas did not give anything for pain relief or antibiotics. He is not experiencing any complaints-- she massaged his belly and nothing, he's not crying in the litterbox. He seemed a little nauseous again this morning but Zofran helped once more.

She wants to wait on antibiotics until his urine results come back from the lab. Considering everything he's been through, I think we're probably okay waiting until Monday. I have some FishMox that I can give him if he seems uncomfortable.

He is eating fairly well today, but not as much as he has been. He has not had insulin for 37 hours and his numbers are very good.

Today he has had a few regular sized wees with a small clot in it, a couple small wees with clots, and only once has he tried to go and didn't get anything. I think the blood clot is making his bladder FEEL full even when there's not any urine in there.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Sorry I'm just seeing this, spent most of the day wrapping presents. And following Thomas to the litter box to watch him pee. haha.

Thomas did not give anything for pain relief or antibiotics. He is not experiencing any complaints-- she massaged his belly and nothing, he's not crying in the litterbox. He seemed a little nauseous again this morning but Zofran helped once more.

She wants to wait on antibiotics until his urine results come back from the lab. Considering everything he's been through, I think we're probably okay waiting until Monday. I have some FishMox that I can give him if he seems uncomfortable.

He is eating fairly well today, but not as much as he has been. He has not had insulin for 37 hours and his numbers are very good.

Today he has had a few regular sized wees with a small clot in it, a couple small wees with clots, and only once has he tried to go and didn't get anything. I think the blood clot is making his bladder FEEL full even when there's not any urine in there.

Wow! If this keeps up Thomas will be off the juice.

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

I know, it's very shocking to me. I keep testing him thinking it'll suddenly SURGE and it hasn't yet. I also keep thinking he'll go hypo for some reason but I don't know if he could do that without being given insulin? It's so WEIRD!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I know, it's very shocking to me. I keep testing him thinking it'll suddenly SURGE and it hasn't yet. I also keep thinking he'll go hypo for some reason but I don't know if he could do that without being given insulin? It's so WEIRD!

No, he won't hypo without insulin. I've seen the suggestion on here to continue testing AM and PM BG as before but there won't be a shot associated with that of course. I'd keep the SS going too.

 

[Critter Mom]

Wow! If this keeps up Thomas will be off the juice.

As soon as I saw the numbers start to dip I had an inkling his pancreas might well be coming out to play. (Anti-jinx!)

@Coffees-and-cats -

Test BG AM and PM and grab occasional spot checks during the day/evening. If Thomas stays under 120 (human meter) for 14 days then he will be considered in remission (a diet-controlled diabetic). Fingers and paws crossed over here ...

I think the blood clot is making his bladder FEEL full even when there's not any urine in there.

Maybe cystitis? (Can be a sterile process so if urine tests negative for bacteria it doesn't guarantee there isn't a problem.) Did the vet say anything about how the clot might have come to be there in the first place? (Sorry if you've already told us; I'm a bit punchy from sleep deprivation.)

Did your vet give you a steer on how much fluids to give Thomas during the time the clot takes to clear?

I hope Thomas starts to feel better very soon.




Mogs
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[Coffees-and-cats]

As soon as I saw the numbers start to dip I had an inkling his pancreas might well be coming out to play. (Anti-jinx!)

@Coffees-and-cats -

Test BG AM and PM and grab occasional spot checks during the day/evening. If Thomas stays under 120 (human meter) for 14 days then he will be considered in remission (a diet-controlled diabetic). Fingers and paws crossed over here ...


Maybe cystitis? (Can be a sterile process so if urine tests negative for bacteria it doesn't guarantee there isn't a problem.) Did the vet say anything about how the clot might have come to be there in the first place? (Sorry if you've already told us; I'm a bit punchy from sleep deprivation.)

Did your vet give you a steer on how much fluids to give Thomas during the time the clot takes to clear?

I hope Thomas starts to feel better very soon.




Mogs
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Thank you!

The vet said she can't figure out how the clot got there and she was going to try to do some research over the weekend. He doesn't have any stones in his kidneys or his bladder so it's a mystery.

She didn't say how much fluids to give him, just to encourage him to drink more and make sure he stays hydrated. Since he loves his water that's not really a problem, fortunately.

 

[Critter Mom]

Just had a gander at Thomas' spreadsheet! Purdy greens!!! Fingers and paws crossed for day 14 ...

Is he peeing OK now?


Mogs
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[Coffees-and-cats]

Hello hello

Thomas is doing fairly well, actually. Last week, I think it was a week ago, he had a little accident outside the litterbox (he went into the smallest one I have for my little female cat, Henley and peed onto the edge of the box/into the floor) and it was pink. Prior to that I hadn't seen any visible signs of blood or blood clots in his urine for a couple of days. So I am not sure if he still has some blood in his urine or not. Next week we are planning on doing another ultrasound of his bladder to see if the blood clot is still there and/or how big it is. How it got there is still a big mystery.

The last three days Thomas has been basically back to his old self-- following me everywhere, getting into everything, sitting outside the shower and shrieking while I shower, playing with his toys, eating me out of house and home. haha. I can no longer see any of his inner eyelid, thankfully.

Waiting on day 14. After that should I just test once a day for a while?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I wonder if he had some internal bladder bleeding from cystitis inflammation and that created the blood clot? Maybe a little pink last week from ongoing inflammation? Keep on adding warm water to his wet food. The hydration helps.

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

I wonder if he had some internal bladder bleeding from cystitis inflammation and that created the blood clot? Maybe a little pink last week from ongoing inflammation? Keep on adding warm water to his wet food. The hydration helps.

I don't know, it's possible. The vet also wonders if he suffered some trauma before I brought him inside. We know he had several dog bites on his front left arm, it's possible there were some internal injuries we didn't notice? It's likely we will never know unless the problem is recurring. He's a lil medical mystery!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I don't know, it's possible. The vet also wonders if he suffered some trauma before I brought him inside. We know he had several dog bites on his front left arm, it's possible there were some internal injuries we didn't notice? It's likely we will never know unless the problem is recurring. He's a lil medical mystery!

Well. he's being very well looked after now!

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

Here's a pic from this evening as we were relaxing on the couch

 

[Coffees-and-cats]

Hey guys, guess what?!

The blood clot is GONE!

 

[Critter Mom]

No blood clot - and Off The Juice! Congratulations!!!

I'm delighted to hear your good news and so pleased for you both!




Mogs
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[JanetNJ]

Thank you!

The vet said she can't figure out how the clot got there and she was going to try to do some research over the weekend. He doesn't have any stones in his kidneys or his bladder so it's a mystery.

She didn't say how much fluids to give him, just to encourage him to drink more and make sure he stays hydrated. Since he loves his water that's not really a problem, fortunately.

My cat had a deep kidney infection that caused clots on and off for a few weeks as it was healing and flushing through. So scary to see. Get as much water into him as you can. The vet might even do some sub q's to flush it.

 

[JanetNJ]

Wanted to add that the infection wasnt caught with a blood test... The wbc was normal and a urine culture didn't show anything either.... It wasn't until an ultrasound was done that it was diagnosed, and he was given a strong antibiotic. I was worried he would block and worried he would lose kidney function since he already has stage 2 ckd. Thankfully the meds helped and after a few weeks was back to normal.