How Are Cat Urinary Problems Diagnosed
There are a number of causes for FLUTD. At your cats appointment, your veterinarian will do a physical examination and will likely run a urinalysis to assess the pH of your cats urine and to check for the presence of crystals, blood, or signs of an infection. Further tests may include a urine culture, x-rays, and blood work to determine the cause.
Remedies And Treatments For Cat Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract diseases are common in cats and can cause discomfort and distress. If left untreated, a UTI can lead to partial or complete blockage of the urethra. This can lead to kidney failure or rupture of the bladder, which could be deadly.
Depending on the severity of the infection, a cat UTI can be treated using at-home remedies and treatments.
Cranberries
While cranberries are known as a UTI treatment in humans, they can also be used to treat a cat UTI. The acidity of cranberries can lower the pH of your cats urine, which can help treat a UTI and stop it from coming back.
Many cranberry juices are high in sugar. Instead, you can find cranberry capsules , supplements, or powder to add to your cats diet.
Before giving your cat cranberry, you should first test the pH levels in your cats urine. While the acidity of cranberries may help with some UTIs, in other cases, it could make the condition worse. Only provide cranberry supplements if your cats urine is too alkaline.
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Apple cider vinegar can also lower the pH in your cats urine, eliminating and preventing any harmful bacteria. Add half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your cats food each day. To reduce the bitter taste, you can mix it in with chicken or beef broth. Just make sure the broth doesnt contain onions, as this is toxic to cats.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Bone Broth
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What Are The Medication And Vet Costs For A Dog Uti In 2022
When it comes to your dogs, you want to know for sure that they are healthy and happy at all times. Sadly, thats not always the case, and your dog is going to get sick from time to time. In fact, UTIs, or Urinary Tract Infections, are one of the most common infections in dogs. At least 14% of the dog population will be diagnosed with a UTI at some point in their lives.1
The thing is that medication and vet costs are quite expensive, and many pet owners wonder where theyre going to get the money for them all. In this article, well give you some of the costs you can expect for medication and vet visits for a dog UTI this year and a few other facts as well. The short answer is that depending on the care your dog needs, medicine and vet costs for a dog UTI can range up to $500.
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How Vets Diagnose Utis In Cats
Vets diagnose urinary tract infections by collecting a urine sample and examining it for the presence of bacteria. These samples must be collected through a process called cystocentesis, where urine is drawn directly from the bladder with a fine needle. This is necessary to prevent contamination of the urine sample from cups, tables, or any other surface the urine may come into contact with.
After cystocentesis, your veterinarian will run a culture-and-sensitivity test. During this test, the bacteria are isolated and studied. This helps the vet determine the best antibiotics for your cats exact infection.
Occasionally, acute infectionsespecially first-time infections that show up suddenlyare treated with a broad-spectrum antibiotic without trying to determine which bacteria are involved.
Chronic infections, however, almost always require more testing to isolate the type of bacteria causing the problem and identify the best antibiotic.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Urinary Blockage In A Cat
When a cat has an obstruction in their urethra, they will squat to pee more frequently than normal but little to no urine will actually be expelled. You may notice them frequently going to the litter box, trying to urinate in other spots outside the litter box, or meowing while in the litter box. They may also lick
As the bladder fills up but is unable to be expelled it will cause your cat serious and noticeable discomfort and pain. If the issue isn’t treated promptly it can lead to a bladder rupture.
Another concern with urinary blockages is that the toxic waste that is typically released through urination will begin to back up into the bloodstream resulting in lethargy, disorientation, and vomiting.
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How To Treat A Cat Uti At Home
A cat UTI is more common in female cats than male cats.
However, male cats can have serious complications from UTIs as well.
Cats diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis can also have crystal formation. Male cats may experience blockage in their narrow urethras, which can become deadly.
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria grows in the bladder.
UTIs and bladder infections usually cause physical discomfort, although some show no signs at all.
Cats with UTIs typically exhibit:
- Blood in urine
If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
How To Prevent Your Cat From Getting Utis
If your cat has had more than one urinary tract infection, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about prevention strategies. In general, these involve changing your cats diet and certain supplements that may help strengthen the bladder wall. Of course, its also important to ensure that your cat always has access to fresh, clean water, and a clean litter box.
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Why Is My Cat Lying In The Litter Box
If your cat has been lying in the litter box a lot lately, it might point to stress or illness, but its not always a sign of urinary tract issues. In addition to lying in the litter box, cats with UTIs or other urinary problems will strain, lick at their genitals, hide, meow in the box, and look restless.
If your cat is lying in the litter box and also exhibiting these behaviors, theres a good chance that a UTI or other urinary tract issue is to blame.
Among cats with urinary tract problems, this behavior appears to result from a mix of stress and, perhaps, a need to stay in the box just in case something changes. Imagine feeling like you had to urinate for hours but couldnt get everything outwouldnt you stay near the toilet?
Signs That Your Male Cat Cant Pee
Cats often show subtle signs that are hard to pick up on when they are having trouble. Because of that, many people feel that their cat developed a problem within a 24-hour time frame. Here are some things you should look out for that may indicate your cat could be blocked:
- Going in and out of the litter box frequently
- Meowing while in the litter box
- Straining to urinate
- Vomiting
- Painful abdomen
If you notice one or a combination of these signs in your cat, you need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your cat is not getting any urine out, you need to take them to an emergency vet right away.
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Holistic Remedies For A Cat Uti
There are many holistic remedies that are intended to decrease inflammation in the bladder. However, these remedies will not cure or appropriately treat a bacterial infection. Using holistic remedies along with antibiotics may help increase your cats comfort and decrease the chance of recurrence. Ideally, seek a holistic veterinarian for treatment.
Examples of holistic treatments for a cat UTI include:
- High quality canned food diet
- Cranberry extract
- Commercially available herbal therapies for cystitis
- Veterinary herbal therapies
- Chinese herbal therapies
Please speak with a veterinarian before giving your cat any supplements or herbal remedies. If given incorrectly these remedies could be harmful for your cat.
What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection can affect any portion of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, though it most commonly refers to an infection in the bladder. Cats get urinary tract infections when bacteria colonize the bladder.
Bladder infections fit in the broad category feline lower urinary tract disease . Other common manifestations of FLUTD include urolithiasis , crystalluria , urethral obstruction, and feline idiopathic cystitis.
Cats with diabetes mellitusand hyperthyroidismare at an increased risk of developing FLUTD.
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How Much Time Do I Have To Act If My Cat Has A Urethral Obstruction
The short answer to this one is not very much time at all. Cats can die from being obstructed for as short a period of time as 24 hours, and potentially less. Further compounding the problem and adding to the need for immediate veterinary attention is the fact that many cats have already been obstructed for several hours, and maybe even days, before their owners recognize a problem. Point being that any delay increases your cats risk of death, and your risk of increased costs. The best thing you can do, for your pet and for your pocketbook, is to bring your cat for veterinary evaluation immediately upon even the slightest suspicion that they may have a urethral obstruction.*This is just one of the reasons why it’s important to monitor your cats activity level, appetite, and eliminations on a daily basis. And dont forget to have someone checking in on your cat at least once daily any time youre traveling too this is a very common time for urethral obstructions to occur.
How Are Utis In Cats Treated
Uncomplicated UTIs are typically easily treated with antibiotics. Some vets will also prescribe pain medication and probiotics to balance normal flora. If your cat has a UTI due to another underlying disorder, such as bladder stones or diabetes, then additional treatments will be prescribed to treat those disorders. It is important to treat underlying disorders or risk the UTI coming back. Additional treatments can include a diet change, treatment for diabetes or Cushings, or surgery in some cases.
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Where Do You Get The Right Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health
The right diet and adequate moisture intake will help to ensure that your cat wont develop a UTI again.
Therapeutic cat food for urinary health is available with a prescription, either through your veterinarian or purchased online. If youd rather not feed a prescription food, many companies now make over-the-counter diets for urinary health. Always consult with a veterinarian before changing your cats diet.
If your cat was previously eating a plant-based or moisture-depleted diet, switching to a species-appropriate diet could be all he or she needs.
Its also possible to use homemade cat food for urinary problems.
Always work with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist when feeding a homemade cat food, especially one intended to address specific health concerns like urinary tract infections and bladder stones.
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Keep Your Cats Urinary Issues At Bay
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Many house cats struggle with a variety of conditions that affect their bladder and/or urethra, broadly known as urinary tract health. This can present as difficulty and pain when urinating, increased frequency of urination and/or blood in the urine. Cats may urinate outside the litter box, in corners, a sink, or a bathtub. While these issues can occur at any age, it is often seen in middle-aged, overweight cats that dont get enough exercise.
A cats diet can contribute to urinary pH imbalance or help improve it. Diets can vary in how they support urinary tract health, but its important to look for restricted amounts of minerals, such as magnesium and phosphorus, which can contribute to the development of urinary crystal and stone formation, explains Dr. Danielle Bernal, Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. The crystals cause painful urination and the stones are painful to pass. They may cause urinary tract infections, blockages, or kidney problems.
Below are a few of the best urinary tract health cat foods available today.
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How To Treat A Cat’s Uti
This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Baker is a Veterinarian and PhD candidate in Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Baker received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, and went on to pursue a PhD through her work in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 79,176 times.
UTI stands for urinary tract infection, an infection which can occur in felines as well as humans. Treating a UTI without the use of antibiotics is difficult, if not impossible. If you try to clear an infection and only partially succeed, you run the risk of suppressing the symptoms, whilst bacteria are still present. This could lead to a long-term infection that could potentially damage your cat’s health. A low grade urinary infection is a ticking time bomb, because the bacteria could travel up to the kidney and cause a more serious infection. When possible, always seek veterinary attention and an appropriate course of antibiotics.
Pet Insurance Saved Big For These Cat Illnesses And Injuries
Some types of illnesses and injuries occur less frequently, but when they do happen, they can be costly.
For instance, when a 10-year-old domestic shorthaired cat named Ghaal began acting very sluggish and experiencing bloody stool and pale gums, his veterinarian did an ultrasound and discovered what looked like a mass on his intestine. Ghaal was later diagnosed with a bacterial stomach infection and inflammatory bowel disease, and needed surgery to remove the mass. Ghaal made a complete recovery, but the bill came to a whopping $4,369.13. Thanks to pet insurance, Ghaals owner was reimbursed $3,187.10.
A 3-year-old Calico kitty named Carly swallowed a 36-inch-long ribbon, which lodged in her gastrointestinal tract, stretching from her stomach all the way through to her small intestine. The ribbon was surgically removed and Carly fully recovered from the ordeal. The final bill was $5,648.44, and Carlys owners were reimbursed $4,358.75.
A cat from Seattle named Gilbert experienced a freak accident, somehow falling off the kitchen counter with his paw wedged tightly into the handle of a kitchen drawer. Gilbert broke all four of his metatarsals and needed surgery to save his paw. The incident led to a $4,061.04 veterinary bill, of which Gilberts owner was reimbursed $2,867.97.
Although you never know if youll need pet insurance, the peace of mind alone is enough to make it worth it to countless pet owners.
Read more about cat health and care on Catster.com:
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Which Cats Are Most At Risk For Utis
While any cat can get a UTI, some cats are more susceptible to infection than others. For example, older cats and cats who form bladder stones diabetes mellitus are more at risk for developing a UTI. The cat breeds thought to most commonly suffer from bladder stones include Himalayans, Persians, and Siamese cats. In addition, some hormonal conditions, such as Cushings disease, are at higher risk for UTI.
While not a UTI, its important to know that male cats are at risk for a life-threatening condition called urethral obstruction, as their urethras are longer and thinner than those of female cats. Due to a more narrow passage, the male urethra is more likely to be blocked. The signs of a urethral obstruction can mimic the signs of a UTI, so if your male cat is ever straining in the litter box, its important to seek veterinary attention immediately.
Which Cats Are Most At Risk
The cats most at risk are those with a highly sensitive stress response. Middle-aged indoor cats who are overweight are also at an increased risk. Environmental events can contribute to an episode , but other environmental issues like poor litter and pan management can contribute, or even a conflict with a companion cat . Other factors that can increase risk include low activity levels or increased weight gain.
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Can Cats Take Amoxicillin
You might be wondering if Fluffy can take amoxicillin, and, unless shes allergic, she can. There are specific times with the medication might be most useful.
As mentioned before, amoxicillin isnt used in cases where viruses or fungal infections are suspected. Studies have shown that amoxicillin is effective against bacteria found in the skin and mouth. As such, amoxicillin is readily prescribed for some very common maladies.
How To Get A Urine Sample From Your Cat
A sample can be obtained in one of two ways: either a free-catch sample or via a cystocentesis. Your veterinarian will let you know which type of sample they’ll want. Free catch samples are collected when a cat urinates, like normal, into a litter box with a non-absorbent litter like NoSorb or Kit4Cat. Your veterinarian may have these products to send home with you to allow you to collect a sample on your own, or they may recommend keeping your cat at the clinic for a few hours to see if the cat will use them there.
For more at-home urine collection tips, check out How to Collect Your Cats Urine Sample.
If youre using a non-absorbent litter, simply pour off the urine into a clean, dry container . The tricky thing is that these samples are not as sterile , and its hard to know if and when a cat will use the box with a new-to-them litter.
Samples are ideally run within one hour of collection. Older samples, up to six hours old, can be refrigerated while theyre being transported to the veterinarian, but this can cause artifacts and crystals to develop. But the more recent a sample the better! After an hour, crystals can begin to form artificially, even under refrigeration. The older a sample, the less sure your veterinarian can be that these crystals are from your cat’s bladder versus a result of the sample sitting too long before testing.
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