Urinary Crystals Or Stones Are Another Cause Of Difficult Painful Urination
Urolithiasis represents about 15% of all non-obstructive cases of FLUTD. The most common types of crystals are calcium oxalate and struvite crystals. Without an X-ray or ultrasound, you cant identify the presence of these stones. If your veterinarian determines that your cat has calcium oxalate or struvite crystals, the typical treatment would be dissolution or removal of the uroliths.
Your cats urine pH plays a part in the development of these crystals: a low pH is associated with calcium oxalate crystals, while a higher pH can cause struvite crystals. While struvite crystals used to be much more common than calcium oxalate crystals, theyre currently about equally common. Why has this changed? Its the fault of well-intentioned urinary tract health foods. Struvite crystals can be treated by a slightly acidic diet. This treatment has over-acidified our cats, increasing the prevalence of calcium oxalate crystals.
Without access to advanced testing, its impossible to know which type your cat has, making treatment tricky.
If you know which type of crystals your cat has, the best home remedy is one that helps to correct the urinary pH, dissolving the crystals. Its important to keep your cat well-hydrated, encouraging urine and crystal passage.
Cats Are Obligate Carnivores And Have No Physiological Requirement For Carbohydrates Which Are Kibble Diet
Your veterinarian may recommend special prescription diets to help dissolve the stones, but make sure to continue reading for other natural remedies to help your cats crystal issue if this is occurring, because many of these diets are kibble which is a root cause for your cats urine problems in the first place.
The crystals and inflammatory changes are what can lead to sludgy debris that can lead to a urinary obstruction, especially in male cats whose urethras are not as wide as a females urethra.
So if youre seeing your cat, especially male cat, go in and out of the litter box but not product any urine or very little urine, this is a symptom of a urinary tract infection and urinary blockage.
You must go to the vet right away since this is an emergency.
Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
Most cats with urinary tract infections will make frequent trips to the litter box and seem restless. They may go into the box and strain to pee but produce either a small amount of urine or no urine at all. Occasionally, their urine may appear bloody.
Some cats will avoid the litter box because they have associated it with the discomfort caused by the UTI. Instead, they may urinate in other places in your home. Sinks, bathtubs, and clean laundry are popular spots. Your cat also may vomit and seem lethargic as the problem progressesespecially male cats.
In most cases, acute and chronic urinary tract infections will cause very similar symptoms. However, some cats with the chronic form show no signs of disease.
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Predispositions To Utis: How Do You Know If Your Cat Is At A Higher Risk For Utis
Urinary tract infections tend to affect older, female cats more so than they do a young, male kitten. UTIs are more likely to happen in females than males strictly due to the fact that women have shorter urethras than men. You may be wondering why the anatomical length of an internal organ matters in relation to UTIs. We were, too, so we looked deeper into this.
The urethra of women is relatively shorter than the urethra of men. In case you aren’t sure what the urethra is, it is an internal organ that urine flows through as it travels out of the body. The urethra looks like a small tube, and in short, it simply carries urine from your bladder to the toilet. Or litter box, since were talking about cats.
According to the Affiliated Urologists, the fact that the urethra of women is short means that UTIs have a better chance of making a home in the urinary tracts of women, as opposed to men. Since the urethra is shorter, bacteria has to travel a smaller distance to reach the urinary tract of females. As a result, bacteria has a better chance of making it into, say, the bladder, and surviving. In contrast, when it comes to the urethras of males, the distance is longer and bacteria have a harder time going the distance. All that said, female cats are more likely to get UTIs than male cats.
Should Uti Treatment Vary According To Whats Causing The Infection
Your UTI treatment may vary according to whats causing the infection. Certain UTIs, especially chronic and recurring ones, will need antibiotic treatment as opposed to simple home remedies.
If youre prescribed antibiotics to treat a UTI, a healthcare professional may choose an antibiotic thats specific to the type of bacteria thats triggering your infection.
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Where To Purchase Cbd Oil For Your Cats Uti Symptoms
If youre looking to buy CBD oil for your cat, you have looked in the right direction. At Innovet, we offer nothing but all-natural products. Our CBD oil for cats with UTIs is proven effective. Talk about a must-have! Look no further than our tried-and-true CBD oil. You wont be disappointed and your cat will thank you. If you have any questions about our products, or would like to contact us for any reason, wed love to hear from you!
Important Information On Flutd & Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
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Feelings of fear and anxiety can affect our cats much like they affect us. Stress can occur in your cat for multiple reasons. Perhaps youve recently moved or brought a new pet or family member home. Whatever the case may be, if you have a stressed cat, there could be an underlying problem. One of the first ways to detect this problem is when your cat stops using her litter box. She may be peeing in a new spot, spraying on a wall, or having trouble urinating.
Unfortunately, inappropriate urination is one of the most common reasons why cats are left at shelters or put outdoors. If your cat starts marking her territory away from her litter box, its not out of revenge or spite its probably because something is wrong. While it could be a behavioral problem, or she doesnt like her litter box for some reason, a medical condition should first be ruled out. One of the most frequent medical causes of a urination problem is feline lower urinary tract disease.
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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.
Causes Of Utis In Cats
UTIs usually occur when the sterile urinary tract is exposed to bacteria or viruses. The urinary tract is the system responsible for formation, storage, and elimination of urine. It is made of a number of organs: two kidneys , two ureters , the bladder , and the urethra . An infection in any of these organs will affect the whole urinary tract, causing distress and usually pain for the cat.
Sometimes, a UTI will occur because of a pre-existing disease or illness, such as the feline leukemia virus or diabetes. Other times, it is caused by an outside source, such as a dirty litter box, or by a weakened immune system.
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Cat Utis Vs Other Urinary Disorders
One important thing to note about cat UTIs is that theyre relatively uncommon, but unfortunately, other urinary disorders are pretty common. If you suspect your cat has a UTI, talk to your veterinarian right away because it could be another urinary issue.
One of the most common urinary issues that plague our kitties is urinary crystals. There are two types of crystals, struvite and oxalate. Both of these crystals are caused when there is an imbalance in a cats urinary pH. These tiny, microscopic crystals can irritate the inside of the bladder and urethra, making it difficult for your cat to urinate. These urinary issues can lead to serious medical conditions such as kidney stones or urinary blockage, or bladder stones in cats, which can be fatal.
Another urinary issue in addition to a feline UTI is feline idiopathic cystitis or FIC. FIC presents itself in a similar way as a urinary crystal or a UTI, but there is no root cause of the problem. Vets agree that some common causes could be stress, dehydration, a small urethra, or inflammation in the bladder, but there’s no way to know for sure without ruling out other causes . This urinary issue can also become extremely serious if your kitty is unable to urinate.
Cat Urinary Blockage Recovery
Your cat will be uncomfortable as they recover from their urinary blockage. Whether your kitty underwent surgery or endured a catheter for days, itll be feeling sluggish and distressed. Give your kitty some extra TLC during this time theyll certainly need it.
Its not unusual for your cat to still strain a bit during urination while theyre recovering from a blockage. The inflammation can take a few days to subside. Be sure to monitor your cats urinary output and watch for signs of blood in the urine. You will need to bring them back to the vet if the blockage recurs. To help relieve some of your cats discomfort, you can give them non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Onsior or Metacam.
If you dont want to go the pharmaceutical route, CBD products are another option that can aid your cats recovery. Like all mammals, cats have an endocannabinoid system that regulates swelling among other important processes in their body.
CBD interacts with the ECS and can provide some soothing effects for your pet. CBD is a non-intoxicating compound that is well-tolerated by most animals. Your cat wont get high from CBD, and they wont become addicted to the products either.
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What Are Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
Urinary tract infections are not common in cats. Only 1-3% of cats with signs of urinary tract disease will have a urinary tract infection.
Because they can resemble so many other conditions, UTIs need to be distinguished from other conditions, such as crystals in the urine. Fortunately, by running some simple tests, your veterinarian will be able to tell the difference.
In most cases, UTIs in cats are usually caused by bacteria. Bacterial urinary tract infections in cats are generally relatively easy to treat and respond well to medications. Chronic infections, or those that do not respond to regular medication, can require more testing to figure out why your cat is at higher risk for urinary tract infections.
Home Remedies For Cat Urinary Tract Infection Tips To Help Your Kitten
All pet owners understand how hard it is to see their pet in pain, and it may be more frustrating to figure out whats causing it. Unfortunately, we must rely on observing because our pets cannot communicate their concerns. Symptoms can be modest, such as minor lethargy. Ever noticed blood in cat urine, the early warning signs of urinary tract infections are frequently neglected. On the other hand, you should not take UTIs lightly since, and if left untreated, they can progress to even more severe illnesses. Ever wondered how can i treat my cats UTI at home with natural home remedies and what antibiotic is used for cat urinary tract infection. Here is the complete guide for you, lets get into it.
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What Is A Cat Uti
Bladder stones, a bladder infection, urine crystals, and a urinary obstruction are all issues a cat may face. While a urinary tract infection may not be the most common out of all the urinary problems a cat may get, it is still important for feline parents to be aware of the possible symptoms. A cat UTI occurs when bacteria travels up the urethra and finds itself in the bladder. When this happens, a bacterial infection occurs.
Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Disease
If your cat exhibits any of the warning signs of FLUTD, contact your veterinarian immediately. Especially if your cat is not urinating freely, a urinary blockage may be the cause and this condition may be life threatening. Consult your veterinarian immediately.
Signs of feline bladder health problems
- Urinating outside of the litter box
- Straining when urinating
- Lack of energy or interest in normal activities
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Does Your Cat Have A Uti
If you suspect your cat has a urinary tract infection, a visit to the veterinarian is essential!
Your veterinarian will first complete a full physical exam on your cat, to ensure they are otherwise healthy and that there are no other underlying diseases that would interfere with treatment. Additionally, they will be able to palpate your cats bladder and kidneys and determine if your cat is blocked or if they are in pain.
Your veterinarian will likely obtain a urine sample from your cat in order to look at it under the microscope for the presence of bacteria, blood, or crystals. They will also use testing to determine the urine pH, specific gravity, and presence of a variety of other enzymes.
What Is A Cat Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection can affect any part of the cats urinary system.
This can include the bladder, the urethra , or even the kidneys.
An important fact to know about cat UTIs is that its not always a bacterial infection. Your cat may have inflammation in their bladder without an infection which is called cat cystitis or sterile urinary tract inflammation.
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What Is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
FLUTD stands for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and is a term used to describe any group of disorders or diseases that affects the lower urinary tract in cats. The most common disorder of the group is feline idiopathic cystitis . FIC involves inflammation by an unknown cause, but stress is thought to be a significant factor. FLUTD is also associated with the formation of crystals/stones in the urinary tract that can cause numerous and painful ailments for your cat. The two most common types of crystals/stones are struvite and calcium oxalate. FLUTD is serious and requires medical attention. Fortunately, you can help your cat recover with treatment from your veterinarian and the right nutrition.
Treating Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
If you see warning signs of a urinary tract infection in your cat, it’s important to contact a veterinarian. The vet will do a physical exam and likely collect a urine sample for urinalysis. If a UTI is the prime suspect, your vet may prescribe antibiotics even before receiving results from your cat’s urine test.
With a vet’s diagnosis in hand, you still play a crucial part in helping treat your cat at home. If your vet has prescribed an antibiotic, you’ll need to make sure to give all the medicine for as long as recommended.
“If your cat is diagnosed with a bacterial condition, it is imperative that you give the medication exactly as instructed,” says Kathryn Primm, DVM at Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee. “Otherwise, you risk only killing the part of the bacteria that are most susceptible to the drug and leaving the others to reproduce.”
How long your cat is on antibiotics for a UTI is best determined by your vet. If you’re having trouble giving your cat the medicine, let the vet know. Pills or liquids are options, but an unfinished round of antibiotics may give the bacteria a chance to return, and stronger bacteria can also lead to new drug-resistant strains that harm humans and pets.
Urinary issues can be complex, and each cat is different. A trusting relationship with your veterinarian is your very best tool to manage urinary disease in cats.
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What Are The Chances Of Flutd Coming Back
Urinary tract disease is potentially a lifelong disease. Any cat that has been treated for urinary tract disease runs the risk of contracting it again. Even with the best treatment, some cats may have recurring signs or periodic episodes. Therefore, it’s important to continue your veterinarians food recommendation to manage the disease with a urinary health cat food and watch closely for recurrence of signs and symptoms.
A Note About Cranberry Juice And Utis
Cranberry juice or cranberry extract in supplemental form has long been used as a home remedy for UTIs.
The thought is that the proanthocyanidins in cranberries may help prevent bladder infections by keeping the bacteria from clinging to the bladder wall, says Sonya Angelone, MS, RDN, a nutrition consultant based in San Francisco, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Yet theres scientific controversy over how effective cranberry juice is at preventing UTIs due to conflicting conclusions in studies on the topic, according to an article published in May 2016 in Advances in Nutrition. Some studies have found it might work, while others have found no effect.
Bottom line, there is some evidence it may help, and it doesnt hurt to try it, says Angelone. Just be sure to chose unsweetened cranberry juice . Mix this with sparkling water or plain yogurt, she recommends.
Another low-calorie option choose a cranberry pill that contains d-mannose, she says.
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