A cat who can’t pee has a life-threatening problem. A cat with a urethral obstruction requires emergency care by a veterinarian who can dislodge the plug and empty the bladder. 

What is Prazosin?

Prazosin is prescribed to cats most often during the healing phase following a urinary blockage. When a urinary obstruction occurs, the muscles of the bladder and the urethra may spasm, (contract and release) and create an uncomfortable condition. These spasms and the swelling that can result make it more difficult for a cat to heal. 

Prazosin can be helpful in reducing spasms and relaxing the bladder, making it easier for the cat to urinate and to heal. 

This medication may also be useful for cats with spinal cord injuries or certain cancers. 

Prazosin is not approved by the FDA for use in animals, but veterinarians often prescribe it and recommend it to treat feline patients. It is widely available from human pharmacies with a prescription from your veterinarian. Some veterinary clinics may also have the medication in stock.

Because prazosin for cats is usually prescribed as a generic medication, the look of the tablets or capsules may differ depending on where it was produced. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of the medication, contact your veterinarian or the pharmacy where the medication was purchased. 

How Does Prazosin Work?

Prazosin decreases the function of the pathway that allows the bladder to fill and store urine. It works by decreasing the ability of specific muscles to tighten. It also can decrease blood pressure by allowing relaxation of the muscles that surround some arteries. 

It is useful for cats recovering from a urinary blockage because it also allows the muscles of the urethra to relax, making it easier for urine to pass. 

The muscles involved in the storage of urine in the bladder and tightening of the urethra to prevent urine from passing are what we refer to as smooth muscle. Smooth muscle is not under voluntary control as opposed to muscles of the legs and arms. This means that prazosin is unlikely to cause your cat to drip urine. Instead, it just makes it easier to go when your cat gets to the litter box. 

Other types of muscle relaxants that are prescribed for muscle injury from trauma or overuse are not effective at relaxing the smooth muscles of the bladder and urethra. 

What Does Prazosin Treat in Cats?

Prazosin treats the spasming of the bladder muscles and muscles of the urethra that is caused by urinary obstruction. It makes it easier for the cat to empty his bladder and reduces any pain or discomfort associated with the muscle spasms. Prazosin is most often used as part of the treatment for this problem along with other treatments including intravenous fluid therapy, pain management, and a special prescription diet. 

Prazosin may also be used to relax the bladder and make it easier for pet parents to manually empty. This may be required following trauma, spinal cord injury, or surgery when a cat is unable to control his bladder. 

Prazosin does not cure the cause of cat urinary blockage. They may be caused by feline urinary crystals, stress, or a genetic predisposition. Urinary obstructions are very likely to recur without lifelong changes that include a prescription urinary diet and stress management. 

Due to limited documented evidence, not all veterinarians recommend prazosin as part of the treatment plan for cats with a urinary obstruction. 

Prazosin Side Effects in Cats

Most cats tolerate prazosin without any side effects. Rarely, a cat may have low blood pressure due to prazosin. Some cats become hyperactive when taking prazosin. 

Like any medication, mild side effects of prazosin in cats vary because every animal tolerates the medicine differently. If you notice any undesired changes in your cat while taking prazosin contact your veterinarian immediately.

Reactions With Other Drugs or Medications

Prazosin should be used with caution with other medications that can decrease blood pressure such as benazepril. 

Prazosin Dosages for Cats

Prazosin is dosed based on weight and is best given with food. It may be given 2 or 3 times per day, depending on your cat’s particular situation and the dosage amount prescribed by your veterinarian. 

What if My Cat Misses a Dose of Prazosin? 

If your cat misses a dose of prazosin, skip that dose and give the next dose at the appropriate time.

Prazosin may only need to be given for a few days to weeks following a urinary obstruction. Do not stop using prazosin without consulting with your cat’s veterinarian. If you accidentally give too much, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

Cost of Prazosin for Cats

Generic capsules or tablets of prazosin generally cost $15-$25 for a 2-week supply. Liquid forms of the medication that are specially compounded for your cat will cost more based on the fee charged by the pharmacy. 

Brand name formulations of prazosin are usually much more expensive, in the range of $150 for a similar 2-week supply.

Prazosin Storage Instructions

Tablets and capsules of prazosin should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Liquid and compounded forms should be stored according to labeled instructions and may require refrigeration. 

All medications should be stored in their original container out of reach of children and pets. 

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But this everyday, boring, kinda gross task also gives pet parents the opportunity to monitor and assess their dog’s poop. You may not even realize you are doing it, but you notice when poop is more firm or looser or changes color. 

That’s a good thing because poop can tell us so much about what is going on inside of our dogs. But if you see white dog poo—instead the regular brown color—something is wrong. 

Why Your Dog’s Poop Color Matters

If eyes are the window to the soul, poop is the window to the body (yep, we said it). Feces changes based on the health of a dog’ stomach and intestines. But it also changes depending on what’s going on with a dog’s liver, pancreas, and even systemic disease such as infections.

Changes to poop can include texture (solid to loose to liquid), odor, frequency, and contents (mucus, blood, worms). But another important change to look for in your dog’s poop is a change or difference in color. 

For example, red feces indicates the presence of blood that has not been digested, meaning it most likely comes from the colon. Dark, nearly black stool means that there is digested blood, usually from a stomach or small intestinal ulcer. Green dog poop can indicate that the dog is eating grass or can be due to the liver not functioning properly. 

Your dog’s poop should normally be a shade of brown. The specific shade has a lot to do with the kind of food your dog eats and how frequently he poops.

Why is My Dog’s Poop White?

White dog poo signals a problem. There are several reasons a dog’s poop might be white, but white poop is never normal. 

White poop in dogs can indicate a dietary problem or imbalance, a medication side effect, internal illnesses, or a parasitic infection. Below are some of the common reasons why a dog’s poop might be white:

High Calcium Diets

First, consider what you are feeding your dog. Some diets, especially raw diets, are very high in calcium which can cause white or very light colored stools that are hard. Feeding dogs raw diets come with a risk of bacterial contamination and they may be nutritionally imbalanced. Raw diets with too much calcium can cause constipation, hard stool, and white poop. 

If you think this may be the source of your dog’s hard and white poop, switch to a commercially formulated cooked dog food or consult a veterinary nutritionist for help reformulating your dog’s diet. 

Medication Side Effects

Some medications or treatments given by your veterinarian, such as liquid barium, can turn poop temporarily white. It will return to normal color once the barium has passed through your dog’s system. If your dog’s poop does not return to normal following the stoppage of dosing your dog with liquid barium, consult your veterinarian. 

Your Dog Ate a White Object

The next thing to assess is whether the poop is white or there is something white in it. A dog who eats a white sock may be able to poop out the sock in which case there is likely normal brown poop around the sock. 

Dogs who eat things that are not food—like toys, fabric, and rocks—are at risk for dangerous digestive obstructions if the object gets stuck. The only way to remove a stuck object is through surgery. 

Tapeworms

If there are white specks or strings in your dog’s poop, those could be tapeworms. Tapeworm eggs are visible to the naked eye and are often described as grains of short-grain rice. You are unlikely to see adult worms such as hookworms or roundworms in feces unless your dog has a severe infestation. If you see white specks or strands in your dog’s poop, call your veterinarian immediately for dewormer and don’t forget about the importance of decontaminating your yard too!

Digestive Problems

Mucus in dog poop can look white or yellow. A little bit of mucus can be normal but too much means your dog is having a problem digesting something. That something could be table scraps or non-food items like a tennis ball. When mucus has red in it that means blood and blood of any kind in poop always necessitates a trip to the veterinarian. 

Internal Illness

Fortunately, internal illness is the least likely of all the things that can cause your dog’s poop to be white. However, for those few who have white or gray poop, the problem is serious. White or gray poop means that digestion is not happening properly (maldigestion).

The liver produces bile, a green-pigmented material that turns poop brown. If the liver is not producing bile, or the gallbladder is not piping it into the intestines to mix with food, then the result is white or gray poop. Since bile is very important in proper digestion, a lack of bile is a serious problem that needs to be investigated by your veterinarian immediately. 

Similarly, a pancreas that is not functioning properly can cause light gray poop in dogs. The pancreas is responsible for producing several important digestive enzymes including insulin. Problems with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas can all become life-threatening if not treated.

Why Does Dog Poop Turn White?

When your dog poops, it looks normal and healthy but then over time it turns white. This can be due to the normal pigments breaking down in the sun or to the growth of mold in more humid environments. If you notice either of those things, it does not mean there is anything wrong with your dog.  

However, if you notice dog poop turning white in your yard, It does mean you need to clean up your dog’s poop more regularly. Dog feces left in the dirt can contaminate water sources, lead to your dog developing intestinal worms, encourage coprophagy (poop eating), and just be really gross to accidentally step in. 

What to Do If Your Dog’s Poop Is White

If you notice that your dog’s poop is white, look for some of the characteristics above. Can you see visible pieces of a white object or worm segments? For dogs with white specks or strands in poop, a strong dewormer is necessary. For other objects, monitor your dog. If the next poop is totally normal and your dog continues to eat and drink and poop normally there is likely nothing to worry about. But, a dog who is known to eat objects who can’t poop or won’t eat needs to be seen by a veterinarian. 

If diet is the cause of the white poop, a change in diet is the solution. Over time, diets too high in calcium can lead to constipation or even obstipation (painful and difficult defecation). Transition dog food slowly, over the course of a week or two, so that you don’t cause intestinal upset and diarrhea. 

If your dog has gray or white poop and you can’t easily determine the cause, you need to schedule an urgent appointment with your veterinarian. 

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam, assess your dog’s feces, and run bloodwork to find the source of the problem. Treatment will depend on the cause but will likely require multiple veterinary visits, advanced testing, medications, and possibly even surgery. Your veterinarian may also refer you to a veterinarian who specializes in internal medicine. 

So, keep bringing those poop bags along on walks and monitor your dog’s poop. You may catch a change before it becomes a problem so that you can keep your dog healthy and by your side.

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One of doxycylcine’s most frequent uses is for “kitty colds” or upper respiratory infections because it is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria. Generally doxycycline is well tolerated with minimal side effects in cats. 

What is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is an antibiotic in the class called tetracyclines. These antibiotics are bacteriostatic. That means they prevent bacteria from reproducing but do not kill the bacteria outright. Stopping the bacteria from reproducing, and therefore the infection from worsening, gives the body’s immune system the opportunity to kill the bacteria and cure the infection. Tetracycline antibiotics are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria types making them very useful in veterinary medicine. 

Doxycycline comes in several formulations which are used interchangeably in veterinary medicine. It is readily available from your regular veterinarian or a local pharmacy as it is commonly used in human medicine as well.

Doxycycline is not FDA approved for use in cats in the United States, therefore its use is considered “off-label” or “extra-label.” Many medications commonly used in veterinary medicine fall into this category. This does not mean it is less safe or less effective. Any medication used off-label should be under the close guidance of your veterinarian. . 

What Does Doxycycline Look Like?

Doxycycline is a generic medication and therefore the appearance of the capsule, tablet, and liquid varies depending on the laboratory that produced it. If you are concerned you may have the wrong medication, call your veterinarian or the pharmacy that filled the medication to confirm its appearance. 

How Does Doxycycline Work?

Doxycycline prevents bacteria from producing proteins necessary for their growth and reproduction. This effect is specific to a type of protein synthesis found in bacteria and therefore is very safe to use, having minimal effects on animal cells. 

Doxycycline is time-dependent which means its ability to inhibit bacteria is based on the length of time the bacteria are exposed to adequate doses of the medicine. When taken orally, the medicine is well-absorbed and then excreted in feces.

What Does Doxycycline Treat in Cats?

Doxycycline can be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses in cats. Most commonly it is used as an antibiotic to treat infections of the respiratory tract, mouth, and urinary tract. This includes common kitty colds (upper respiratory tract infections) and periodontal disease.  

It is also important in treatment against tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease. Due to its ability to affect the immune system, doxycycline may also be used in conjunction with other medications to treat autoimmune disorders. 

Doxycycline can target a special type of bacteria called Wolbachia, which itself resides inside of heartworms. The death of Wolbachia weakens heartworms and can be a valuable part of treatment for cats with heartworm disease. The medication, melarsomine, used to treat heartworms in dogs is not recommended for cats, so weakening the heartworms with doxycycline is even more important in cats. 

Below are some cat health problems where doxycycline may be prescribed:

• Upper respiratory tract infections (sinus and nasal infections)
• Urinary tract infections
• Oral infection including periodontal disease
• Abscesses
• Lyme Disease
• Ehrlichiosis
• Tularemia
• Bartonellosis
• Leptospirosis
• Feline Infectious Anemia (Mycoplasma Haemofelis)
• Heartworm Disease
• Lymphocytic/Plasmacytic Pododermatitis
• Lupus
• Anemia 

Doxycycline Side Effects in Cats

Doxycycline is usually well-tolerated in cats. The most common side effects are lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. 

Other side effects include:

• Inappetance
• Lethargy (decreased energy)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hyperthermia
• Esophageal stricture

All tetracycline antibiotics have the potential to cause discoloration of developing teeth but doxycycline is least likely to cause this problem. High doses of doxycycline may inhibit the growth of long bones in cats such as the femur and humerus. If the tablet or capsule gets caught in the esophagus it can cause scarring and result in narrowing of the esophagus known as a stricture. 

Always follow any tablet or capsule with at least 5mL water (1 teaspoon). Hypersensitivity reactions are very rare in cats but can result in hyperthermia (high temperature) and malaise. 

Reactions With Other Drugs and Medications

Doxycycline should not be given with milk or food high in calcium or iron due to interactions that can reduce the efficacy of the antibiotic. Oral absorption is decreased with antacids and coating agents such as sucralfate. Doxycycline can increase the effect of the cardiac medication digoxin and decrease the efficacy of the epilepsy medication phenobarbital. It should be used with caution with anticoagulants. 

Always tell your veterinarian if your cat is taking any other medications before giving your cat doxycycline. 

Doxycycline Dosages for Cats

Doxycycline dosage for cats is based on weight, so two cats in the same house may have different dosages. Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendation about dosage amount and frequency. 

Because doxycycline is an antibiotic, once you start giving it to your cat you must finish the entire course as prescribed by your veterinarian. Failure to do so can result in antibiotic resistance and a cat who is still sick. 

As a rule, cats should be given the liquid formulation of doxycycline whenever possible. If your veterinarian prescribes a tablet or capsule, follow each dose with 5mL (1 teaspoon) of water. 

What if My Cat Misses a Dose of Doxycycline?

If you miss a dose, resume giving the medicine the next time it is due. If you miss more than one dose, call your veterinarian. Never give more than one dose of doxycycline to your cat at a time.  

Cost of Doxycycline for Cats

The cost of doxycycline varies depending on its availability. There have been times recently when doxycycline was in short supply and therefore difficult to acquire or too expensive to give to veterinary patients. 

Generally, doxycycline is widely available and inexpensive. On average, a course of doxycycline should be less than $25-$40 for a typical infection. If long-term use of doxycycline is required, this will increase the cost. 

To help offset the cost of medications like Doxycycline, it’s worth considering investing in a pet health insurance policy from a company such as Lemonade. Like people, there’s no telling when your cat might get sick, require medication, or even an emergency vet visit. With policies starting at $10 a month, Lemonade makes pet health insurance very affordable for pet parents.

Doxycycline Storage Instructions  

Tablets and capsules do not need to be refrigerated but should be stored in a light-resistant container at room temperature. Liquid formulations of doxycycline may need to be refrigerated and are only good for 2 weeks. Compounded formulations may also have special storage instructions. Always follow the recommendation of your veterinarian or pharmacist. Do not use expired antibiotics. 

Related Medications

• Minocycline
• Tetracycline

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