Why does my cat's urine smell strong on Prednisone and drinking a lot?

Question

Rocky was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease and prescribed Prednisone as treatment. His diet consists of mostly wet food, with a sprinkling or so of dry kibble depending on how ravenous he is (which is often pretty ravenous). He drinks quite a bit of water now too on a daily basis. However, the smell of his urine in the past week has made breathing in difficult. He's neutered, and this was not an occurrence until just this past week. What could this be from or due to? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 4 years and 5 months old | 12.5 lbs

Dr. Elizabeth · Accepted Answer

I recommend to have Rocky examined by his veterinarian. Prednisone can cause suppression of the immune system and could allow a urinary tract infection to set in. It is best to get this checked out quickly. Also, there are other methods to help cats with arthritis. Some pets do require steroids but you may try supplements and other pain medications first since steroids tend to carry more side effects. There is a supplement called Adequan that many cats do very well on. There is a medication called Gabapentin that works well for arthritis. Starting an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for pets can also be beneficial. Most pets benefit from a combination of treatment. I hope this helps.

Why does my cat's urine smell strong on Prednisone and drinking a lot?

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