What kind of test is required to determine if my cat has urinary tract disease?
The simplest and most basic test would be a urinalysis. You should bring your cat to the veterinarian, so that a sterile urine sample can be obtained. You may want to make the vet’s job easier by confining your cat to its carrier, or limiting access to the litterbox to maximize the chances of your cat having a full bladder at the vet’s office. It’s frustrating to bring your cat to the vet and have the vet tell you that the bladder is empty and that you need to reschedule your appointment. If the urinalysis is normal, the odds are your cat does not have any urinary tract disease. If the urinalysis is abnormal, further tests may be required to figure out the exact nature of the problem. Bacteria in the urine may be evidence of a simple urinary tract infection, and a short course of antibiotics may be all that’s needed. Crystals in the urine may be secondary to an infection, or may be due to the presence of bladder stones, and x-rays may be required. Cancer cells in the urine may indicate
