Cat Urinary Tract Infection

Veterinarian Reviewed on April 1, 2014 by Dr. Janice Huntingford

Cat Urinary Tract Infection

Owning a cat can be very rewarding and you want to ensure that they are healthy and well at all times; if they become unwell then you will need to seek professional help to determine the problem. Once you know what the problem is then you can find the cause and treat your beloved cat. A problem which is quite common in cats is a urinary tract infection. If you have ever had an infection of this nature then you will know how painful it is.

What causes it?

Cats suffer from this type of infection quite regularly and male cats are more prone to it than females. The causes are usually due to the metabolism and PH levels, instead of an acid PH your cat will have a very low PH and crystals will then form. These crystals then cause rough jagged grit in your cat’s urinary tract and irritate the walls of the bladder creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Once the bacteria begin to fester then your cat will experience a urine infection which is very painful and sometimes fatal.

How to tell that your cat has an infection?

Nearly all cats will show the same signs when they have a urinary infection which makes it easier to diagnose. You cat will be making several trips to the litter box with what seems to be Cat Increased Urination and they will be prolonged attempts to urinate. Once they do finally mange to go then the amount is very small and they may even urinate out of the litter tray. Also your cat will lick their genital area and will attempt to lay on cold surfaces like the tile floor or even in the bath tub. If the infection is bad then there will be blood in the urine and your cat will show signs of un-comfort when you pick them up.

How to treat the infection

The most important thing for you to do is get your cat professional help straight way, you do not want the infection getting worse. Your vet will do a number of tests to rule out serious illness and disease and then will decide the best form of treatment. The first thing the vet will do is prescribe a course of antibiotics to help clear up the problem. Once your cat is feeling better then they may advice a change of diet and a healthier lifestyle to help with your cat’s health. You will need to ensure that your cat has fresh clean water at all times and they are fed the correct food.

More serious cases

Some cats have major urinary tract problems and these will experience a blockage that will need to be removed. This will mean the vet will need to insert a tube into your cat’s urethra which will help to relive the obstruction. Your cat will need to be asleep when this procedure is done and although a simple procedure to do any operation has its risks. If you leave your cat with the blockage it is very likely that it will die as a result of its body not functioning. Your cat will have no kidney functions and will not be able to remove toxins from the body. You must seek professional help as soon as your cat shows signs of being unwell. You need to be responsible when you own a pet and ensuring they are healthy and not in pain is part of this.

Read also: Cat Gastric Cancer
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Our Expert

Dr. Janice Huntingford
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan

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