Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 20
The Urinary Tract
The popularity of cats has flourished over the last decade because of
their ability to thrive with less human care than a dog requires. Their
willingness to use a litter box is a big part of this, since owners do not
need to rush home to take their cats out for a walk. Cats are born with
the instinct to bury their urine in dirt or sand, and proper litter box use
makes things comfortable for both cat and owner.
When a cat stops using his litter box, the very first thing to suspect
is a medical problem. Previous chapters have mentioned diseases, such
as diabetes, where frequent or inappropriate urination is one of the
signs. There are also health problems that can affect the urinary tract
directly.
The urinary tract is composed of the kidneys, which are responsi-
ble for filtering blood and producing urine; the ureters, which transport
urine from the kidneys to the bladder; the bladder, which stores urine;
and the urethra, which is the passageway from the bladder to the penis
or vulva. All parts of the urinary tract play a role in eliminating fluid
waste products from the body.
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