Possible urinary tract disorder - female kitten

Hello -

My friend in Stockton, CA (who himself is recovering from Non-hodgkins lymphoma) had 2 weaned kittens (approx. 10-12 inches in length) adopt themselves to the family.  (Friend is 52 - parents are 80+, who are caring for my friend).

Friend and dad observed that one of 2 females (DSH) has a wet area in mid-torso which smells like urine.  They (I'm in  Michigan so I can't see the problem) theorize that this kitten may have some sort of urinary track defect which causes her urine to somehow dispense to her mid-section. (Somehow I'm thinking this is not likely).  The cats are not feral.

Apparently the 1 kitten with the abnormality is smaller than her litter-mate but in good health otherwise (these are outdoor cats).  Other than rushing them to DVM for normal FIV and Feline leuk shots, is there any phenomenon (other than dribbling urine due to a urinary blockage) that would explain the urine emanating from her mid-section.

Thank you for considering my sick friend and these 2 stray cats who adopted his family.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I hope your friend is making a successful recovery!


The kitten may have a bladder or other fistula, or other malformation.

A fistula is just an abnormal passageway in the body.  I speculate that in the kittens case it is a passageway leading from the urinary bladder to the outside through the abdominal wall, rather than the normal route through the ureters and the urinary opening.

These kittens' will have to be vaccinated at least for Rabies and once at the veterinarian's they can be examined.  Fistula's can usually be surgically repaired, though it may be costly.  If your friend, or his parents are able to have the kitten's spayed eventually, surgical repair of the malformation can also be performed, if possible.  However, the surgery may have to be performed by a veterinary surgeon, and not just a regular vet, since it is a very complicated surgery.  Some of these malformations cannot be repaired, but the kitten seems to be happy enough as it is.  She may need medications occasionally for skin infections at the site of the fistula since urine on the skin can cause urine scald and irritation, similar to diaper rash.