When To Contact Your Vet
Contact your vet as soon as you notice a change in your cats peeing habits, and if possible, take a urine sample to the appointment. Check out our video below on how to take a urine sample from your cat.
Without treatment, a UTI can lead to serious illness. blocked bladder, which is a life threatening condition.
Treatment given for a UTI depends on its cause, but is likely to include:
- Pain relief. Anti-inflammatory pain relief is excellent at soothing bladder pain and inflammation.
- Bladder supplements. Bladder supplements are designed to soothe the lining of the bladder, although, there is no solid evidence to prove that they work.
- Antibiotics. A short course of antibiotics is usually an effective cure for a UTI. Its very important to follow your vets instructions and complete the full course. If you stop your cats antibiotics early, it could mean some of the remaining strongest remaining bacteria survive and a more severe infection will develop.
What Causes Feline Urinary Tract Disease
FLUTD is a complex condition to diagnose and treat since there are multiple causes and contributing factors that could be at play. Stones, crystals or debris can gradually build up in your kitty’s urethra or bladder.
Other potential causes of lower urinary tract issues in cats include:
- Spinal cord problems
- Incontinence due to excessive water consumption or weak bladder
- Congenital abnormalities
- Bladder infection, inflammation, urinary tract infection
- Injury or tumor in the urinary tract
- Urethral plug caused by the accumulation of debris from urine
- Emotional or environmental stressors
Urinary tract disease in cats is typically diagnosed in overweight, middle-aged cats who have little to no access to outdoors, eat a dry diet or do not get enough physical activity – though cats of any age can get the condition. Male cats are also more prone to urinary diseases since their narrower urethras are more likely to become blocked.
Other factors such as using an indoor litter box, emotional or environmental stress, multi-cat households or sudden changes to their everyday routine can also leave cats more vulnerable to urinary tract disease.
If your cat is suffering from FLUTD it is essential to determine the underlying cause. FLUTD symptoms can be caused by a number of serious conditions such as bladder stones or infection to cancer or a blockage.
Keep Your Cat Comfortable
The best thing you can do is to administer medications and/or prescription diet as directed and monitor your cats urinating habits.
Make sure your cat always has access to water multiple bowls of clean, cool water or even a circulating pet water fountain may encourage your cat to drink more. It is also imperative to have multiple, clean litter boxes in secluded areas throughout your home.
Use the recommended calming aids that your veterinarian recommends. Avoid any changes to your cat’s environment, and be mindful of possible stressors for your cat during this time.
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Why Did My Cat Get A Uti
In the animal kingdom, male cats are more likely to contract UTIs than females are, seeing as they have longer and more narrow urethras. There are many reasons why your cat could contract a bladder infection or UTI:
- Theyre overweight
- Theyre strictly indoor cats
- They dont get enough exercise
- They dont drink enough water
- They strictly eat dry food
- They dont always have access to a clean litter box
- They live in a household with multiple cats or animals
- They are feeling stressed
How To Prevent Uti’s In Cats
The best way to prevent urinary tract infections from occurring in a cat is to ensure the urinary tract opening is kept clean at all times. Regular litter box cleaning and the washing of cat beds will aid in this task. Overweight cats may have trouble cleaning themselves and may need help keeping their urinary tract openings clean with a wet cloth or wipe. Adequate water intake will also help flush the bladder out regularly.
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My Veterinarian Sent A Sample Of Urine To A Laboratory For What She Called A Culture And Sensitivity Test What Is This
All urinary tract infections are NOT created equal! Even though the most common organism to cause UTIs in cats is Escherichia coli , there are several other organisms that may be involved. The only way to identify which specific bacteria is causing the UTI, is to grow it in a laboratory. At the same time, the laboratory can also test which antibiotic is best suited to treat the infection.
“The only way to identify which specific bacteria is causing the UTI, is to grow it in a laboratory.”
Often, a veterinarian will prescribe an antibiotic that is among the most commonly used for treating UTIs in order to try to provide immediate relief to the cat. They may also prescribe pain medications , and may recommend a diet change.
Once the culture and sensitivity results are received, an appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed. After the course of antibiotics is given, it is important to recheck the urinalysis to confirm that the infection is resolved. If it is not, then it will be important to look for other issues that may contribute to a persistent UTI.
Obsessive Licking Of Genitals
When your cat is in pain, they attempt to soothe themselves and make the pain go away. Licking is the best way they know how to do that.
All cats lick their genitals occasionally. But thats not a a sign of a urinary tract infection. The red flag comes up when a cat starts licking with an urgent obsession. Distractions wont last for long, and your cat might choose to lick themselves instead of play with their favorite toy.
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My Cat Has A Uti What Can I Do To Make Her As Comfortable As Possible
If your cat is recovering from a painful UTI, there is a lot you can do to boost her morale, like giving her extra treats, love, and affection. However, be sure to refrain from petting her stomach area as it may still be sensitive. If possible, dont pick up your cat as this may apply force to her abdomen. If you live in a household with young children, talk to them about what their cat is experiencing so that they know to be as gentle as possible, too.
Try to make your home a stress-free environment, giving your cat space and time to heal. If you live in a household with numerous animals, set aside a room in your home, preferably one with a window, where your kitty can rest undisrupted. Give her plenty of clean water, and dont forget to monitor her litter box usage while keeping her litter box as clean as can be.
Cat Urinary Tract Infection
Cat urinary tract infections are rare compared to the occurrence of UTIs in dogs, nonetheless older cats often experience a host of other urinary tract issues that cause similar symptoms. Today our vets in Somerset County NJ share the symptoms, causes and treatments for urinary tract infections and diseases in cats.
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How To Treat Your Cat’s Urinary Tract Infection
All pet owners know how difficult it is see your pet in pain and diagnosing the source of your pets discomfort can lead to even more frustration.
Because our pets are unable to communicate their symptoms we must resort to what we can observe, which often requires trial and error and expensive vet visits. Sometimes the symptoms are subtle, like minor lethargy.
Other times, an illness is apparent with obvious symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. The truth is, even the smallest behavioral changes can indicate a serious problem. When it comes to urinary tract infections, sometimes the first signs are easily missed. But UTIs are not to be taken lightly as they lead to even more severe infections if left untreated.
Reducing Other Risk Factors
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How To Prevent This From Happening In The Future
Some cats can have recurring UTIs. To prevent a recurrence, make sure you finish all medications prescribed by your veterinarian. If your pet was prescribed a certain diet, make sure they eat this food and this food only. This often means no additional snacks or treats. Lastly, make sure your cat always has access to fresh, clean water .
If your cat is overweight, speak with your veterinarian about a weight loss and exercise regime.
Evaluate your cats environment to determine potential stressors. One thing that may help to decrease stress is to add extra litter boxes throughout your home. Extra-large storage containers with an opening cut into one side work great and spray new litter boxes with Feliway . If you have multiple pets, be sure that your cat that is having urinary issues can eat and drink in peace and use the litter box without being bothered. Be sure that your cat has a place to rest comfortably and can easily get to that location. If your cat is the type that needs alone time, be sure to provide them that option. Speak with your veterinarian to see if your cat needs any additional medications to help control their anxiety. Lastly, consulting with a veterinary behaviorist may be needed.
How To Help Prevent Feline Urinary Tract Infections & Inflammation
There are some things cat owners can do at home to try to help prevent urinary tract infections from occurring in their pet.
- Offer wet food, even if part of a mixed diet, to increase water intake
- Ensure plenty of fresh water is always available
- Provide clean and sufficient kitty litter trays for indoor cats always keep trays clean and have more than one available in case one is used and your cat does not like to re-use a dirty tray
- Minimise stress for your cat provide safe housing and a good routine
Taking care of these parts of your cats routine will help keep them in good health, reducing the risk of illness, including urinary tract infections and infections. Urinary tract infections are seen more often in middle-aged to senior cats, as well as cats with diabetes.
Be sure to pay attention to any abnormal behaviour, particularly surrounding your cats toileting routine.
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Does My Cat Have A Uti
Being a pet owner is very rewarding but its hard work, too. Frequent trips to the vet can be expensive but the longer you wait to diagnose and cure an ailment, the more expensive treatment can become. When humans get urinary tract infections , we immediately seek treatment due to how painful they can be. Unfortunately, our furry pals cant do the same, so its up to us to spot the signs.
What Causes Lower Urinary Tract Problems In Cats
When you take your cat to the vet, they may have questions about your cat’s symptoms to try and narrow down the cause of the problem. There are several common reasons for urinary tract problems in cats, including the following.
Urinary Tract Infection
Cats get UTIs when there is a bacterial infection in their bladder or urethra. Your vet will need a urine sample to diagnose this condition.
Uroliths
Urine naturally contains minerals that can clump up and form tiny crystals, and even large stones, in your cat’s bladder. They can irritate the lining of the bladder or urethra and cause bloody urine and pain while urinating.
Continued
Your vet will need to do urine tests, x-rays, or an ultrasound to diagnose urinary stones.
Urethral Obstruction
In some cases, your cat’s urethra can be completely blocked, either by stones or by a build-up of minerals and tissue called a “urethral plug.”
A cat with an obstruction like this won’t be able to pass urine at all. An obstruction of the urethra is a medical emergency and you should call your vet right away.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
Occasionally, the inside of a cat’s lower urinary tract will get irritated without an infection or stones being present. Sometimes it can be a symptom of stress or a reaction to a change in diet.
Other Causes
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Are Some Cats Predisposed To Utis
Older female cats, and cats with diabetes mellitus , develop UTIs more commonly than the general population. Cats who have bladder stones are prone to recurrent UTIs, pointing out the importance of getting a complete diagnosis whenever there are signs of disease in the urinary tract. Bladder stones must be removed or dissolved in order to restore bladder health .
How Long Before My Cats Uti Goes Away
Once on antibiotics, it can take up to a week before your kitty begins showing signs of healing. However, since UTIs can be very persistent, its important to bring your cat for a checkup after she has completed her prescription. Your vet will collect another urine sample a few days after your cat has finished taking her antibiotics.
In normal cases, your kitty should be feeling like herself again in under a week. However,
should your cats behavior continue to alarm you, this could be a sign that there are other factors at play.
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When Is A Cat Uti An Emergency
If you are noticing that your cat is struggling to produce urine, your cat cant pee, or is straining to urinate and there is no urine coming out, this is a true emergency especially if your cat is male.
This can be a sign of a urethral obstruction which can lead to severe health conditions and even death if not addressed right away by your veterinarian.
If your cat is blocked, this means your cat cannot pee and can lead to acute kidney failure and as mentioned, a painful death if not addressed.
My Cat Suddenly Began Going To The Litterbox Very Frequently A Sample Of Urine Revealed A Bladder Infection How Did This Happen
While urinary tract disorders are fairly common in cats, urinary tract infections are fairly uncommon. Cats with UTIs try to urinate very frequently, they may pass only small amounts of urine, they may strain to urinate, they may cry out or whine when urinating, and there may be blood visible in their urine. Urinating outside of the litterbox is also a red flag that something is wrong in the bladder. Finally, frequent licking around the rear end may signal that a UTI is present.
Generally, a UTI occurs when bacteria travel up the urethra and into the bladder. Urine in the bladder is supposed to be sterile, but once bacteria find their way to the bladder, the bacteria can grow and reproduce, causing the UTI. Some cats will develop bladder stones, with or without a UTI, and this opens the door for additional health issues.
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Signs & Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infection In Cats
To catch a UTI early enough to prevent it from developing into a more serious health condition, its important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Unlike human urinary tract infections, feline UTIs can be asymptomatic, so the infection may be discovered as a result of another medical issue.
If any of the following signs present themselves, contact your vet immediately:
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Difficult / painful urination: If your cat cries out while urinating, or very little urine passes, a UTI may be the cause.
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Incontinence: A UTI can cause temporary lack of bladder control.
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Blood in the urine
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Urinary blockage: This life-threatening condition occurs almost exclusively in males. If you see your cat anxiously going in and out of the litter box without producing much urine, call your veterinarian immediately .
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Urinating outside the litter box: In some cases, a cat will urinate in other locations around the house.
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Overly thirsty: If your cat begins drinking an excessive amount of water, its cause for concern.
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Lethargy or listlessness
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Excessive licking at the urethra and abdomen
Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection In A Cat:
- Excessive grooming or licking of the genital or abdominal areas
- Frequent attempts to urinate, including multiple trips to the litter box
- Urinating in unusual places outside of the litter box, especially on a cool surface like tile or the bathtub
- Vomiting
- Absence of large clumps in the litter box
- Straining to urinate or crying out while urinating
- Discolored urine or blood in urine
The most common symptom is when the cat is no longer going to the bathroom in their litter box. Do not assume this is a behavior issue. Take your feline companion to the vet to rule out a urinary tract infection or other serious problem.
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