My friend’s female cat developed Urinary tract infection and it was difficult to see the small creature go through such pain and after a course of antibiotics and a change in diet recommended by the doctor, the cat finally got well but the fear that it might develop the infection again keeps the owner on her toes! The female cat started urinating outside the litter box due to her illness but the male cat followed suit without the excuse of any illness and in just a day the room had the very bad stench of cat urine! So it is imperative that cat owners get UTI treated as early as possible not only for the cat’s sake but also for their own well being.
Urinary tract infection is one of the very common problems in household cats and needs medical attention as in severe cases it can be fatal if the cat does not get any treatment. UTI and bladder infection are mostly seen in male cats but also affect the female cats and these problems can be of recurring nature.
It is important to address this issue at the very onset of the symptoms as it would lead to litter box problem and in multiple cats household the litter box problem would affect the other cats as well.
Causes of UTI
UTI can be caused by multiple factors and most common among these factors are bacteria, kidney stones, bladder cancer and bladder tumor. A cat’s diet can also cause UTI as dry foods are said to house bacteria if they are not stored properly. Moreover diet that is high in magnesium can cause kidney stones that can ultimately lead to UTI.
Unavailability of fresh drinking water and dirty litter box would make a cat hold on to its urine for extended period of time which can cause UTI.
Cats do no like change and changes in the home environment, diet and other factors can lead to stress in cats which can also cause UTI. Male cats have more chances of developing the infection as compared to their female counterparts. Moreover as the cat grows in age the chances of a urinary tract infection increase, thus owners of older cats are advised to get their cats tested on a regular basis.
Symptoms of UTI
Depending on the type of UTI the symptoms would vary. Upper urinary tract infection is associated with:
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Anorexia
In case of lower urinary tract infection the cat would experience:
• Pain while urination
• Frequent urination
• Localized pain
• Foul smelling and bloody urine
• Urinating outside the litter box
Diagnosis of UTI
It is advised to take the cat to the vet so that UTI can be diagnosed properly and the cat gets prompt treatment. If this problem is left untreated it can cause permanent kidney and urinary tract damage which can also be fatal.
The vet will perform a detailed physical examination of the cat and will also ask the owner questions about the pet’s water intake, any recent trauma, sudden change in environment or diet, other medications taken by the pet and illnesses.
Treatment of UTI
The treatment for UTI is normally a course of antibiotics given to the cat. Pet owners can also opt for homeopathic treatment which comes with minimal side effects but in case of more serious infections surgery is prescribed. Moreover the cat that is diagnosed with UTI should be given plenty of fresh water. A change in diet is also recommended from dry to wet food. Since UTI is seen more in over weight cats, exercise should be made an essential part of the cat’s routine. A cat that develops UTI once has more chances of getting the infection in the future as well thus needs to be taken care of.
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