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.
How Can An Owner Recognize That Their Cat Has A Problem
SF SPCA: While FLUTD can be any age and either sex, typically it strikes a younger cat that lives indoors with a history of UTIs. Pet parents will notice their cat straining to pee, passing a small amount urine, having blood in the urine, and/or urinating outside the litter box. Pet parents may also observe smaller urine clumps than normal when using clumping litter, and some owners may have trouble telling if the cat is straining to urinate versus defecate. They may be licking their genitals more and vocalizing in the litter box. Many affected cats may also have additional symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, low energy, decreased social interaction, fear, or decreased grooming.
Note: Meowing while urinating can be a sign of pain. If you notice any of these changes your cat should be seen by a veterinarian immediately especially If your cat has a urethra blockage , as it can be a fatal condition.
Can Homeopathic Medicines Be Combined With Conventional Medicines
The best way of using homeopathic medicines is always to use them alone as this shows their efficiency very clearly. Thus said, it is very well possible to give the patient a combined treatment with conventional drugs that are supported by homeopathic remedies. This kind of combined treatment can lead to good results, too.
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What Are The Causes Of Flutd
Urolithiasis
One possible cause of FLUTD is the formation of urinary stones, also called uroliths, in the bladder and/or urethra. These are collections of minerals that form in the urinary tract of cats. X-rays or ultrasound are usually needed to diagnose urinary stones. The most commonly seen uroliths are calcium oxalate and struvite . While a special, stone-dissolving diet can be prescribed to dissolve struvite stones, calcium oxalate stones need to be removed surgically. If the diet fails, or if the stones form again, then surgery may also be necessary for struvite stones. In female cats, it may also be possible for a veterinarian to help a cat pass stones by flushing its bladder with sterile fluids or remove small stones directly from the bladder using a cystoscope when the cat is under anesthesia. A veterinarian may then recommend medication or dietary changes after surgery to help prevent recurrence.
Urinary infection
Infection of your cats urinary tract with bacteria, fungi, parasites or possibly even viruses can cause signs of FLUTD. Although bacterial infections are more common than fungal, parasitic or viral infections, they are still relatively uncommon in cats. If an infection is found, your veterinarian will probably look for another disease or problem that may have put your cat at risk of infection. For example, uroliths and diabetes can increase the risk of urinary tract infection.
Urethral obstruction
Feline idiopathic cystitis
Other causes
How To Prevent Utis In Cats
It is important to note that UTIs are less common in cats. It is often more likely that another urinary issue is affecting your cat. UTIs most often occur when something else is affecting the cats natural defenses such as an autoimmune issue, bladder stones, or diabetes mellitus. These conditions will need to be addressed along with the UTI.
To encourage urinary tract health, all cats should be offered fresh water at all times and encouraged to drink. Canned or moist food is ideal for cats because it has more water content, and for cats with recurrent urinary issues, it may be recommended to add additional water to their canned food as well.
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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.
Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
Both sudden and chronic urinary tract infections are caused by bacterial infections. The bacteria involved in UTIs usually come from either the gastrointestinal tract or lower down the urinary/reproductive tract. If your cat is older or has other medical conditions, they are more likely to develop bacterial urinary tract problems.
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Natural Home Remedies To Treat Cat Utis
Did you know that cats have a low thirst drive? In the past, felines had a majority of their hydration needs met from the prey they ate rather than stopping to drink from water sources where theyd be open to attack. Because of this, cats are susceptible to a variety of urinary health concerns such as urinary tract disease and UTIs.
If your cat gets a UTI, theres no need to panic. Weve compiled 13 natural remedies for your cats UTI that you can try at home, as well as the common symptoms of a UTI to help you diagnose it. These solutions can help to relieve the discomfort associated with a UTI and reduce or eliminate the infection. But sometimes, the case is serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet, so weve also included the signs you should look out for.
What Are Urinary Tract Infections
Sometimes, urinary tract conditions can be associated with other diseases, including chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. However, in many cases, there doesnt seem to be an underlying cause at all in this case, the technical diagnosis would be feline idiopathic cystitis .
Feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD, is the umbrella term for urinary tract conditions in cats. A feline urinary tract infection is typically characterized by painful and difficult urination. Urinary tract infections in cats can range from mild to fatal, so it is important that you consult a vet right away if you suspect your cat is suffering from a UTI.
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Are Weak Legs A Cat Uti Symptom
Urinary tract infections and other forms of urinary tract disease will not paralyze or weaken your cats legs. However, some cats may take on an odd gait or hold their bodies differently due to the pain of FLUTD.
If the disease is left untreated for a day or more, your cat may feel extremely fatigued and might not be able to walk normally.
Special Advantages Of Homeopathy For Cats
Homeopathic remedies in cats are widely distributed with remarkable success, either for diseases or behavioral problems like anxiety and stress. They can also boost the cats immune system which is especially helpful in kittens with respiratory problems such as cat flu.
Homeopathic complex remedies are efficient in conjunctivitis in cats and infectious diseases such as enteritis.
A study revealed that out of 270 cats, the diseases most frequently treated with homeopathy was skin problems followed by kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, and lately also other prominent conditions such as arthritis and overgrooming.
In 80% of the surveyed cats, moderate or major improvement was achieved in cases of arthritis. Skin problems or dermatitis improved in 69.6% of cats, and hyperthyroidism in 66.7%.
Even in kidney failure cases, still a moderate improvement of 57.1% could be observed with homeopathic treatment. This has been confirmed by another study even in the case of chronic kidney insufficiency which helps to stop the progression of the disease. Homeopathic remedies are used even in behaviour trainings of cats.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathy doesnt have any side effects. However, an aggravation of the ailment condition is often observed at the onset of the homeopathic treatment. This might be mistaken with side effects.
In contrast, this is the clear sign that the medicine works as intended and the patients body starts fighting back the disease by displaying its symptoms.
What About Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection In Cats
Many cat owners stress about the cost of seeking veterinary treatment when their cat is ill. You might be tempted to search cat urinary tract infection home remedies and want to attempt to treat your cats urinary tract infection at home.
This is not a good idea.
There are no home remedies that can resolve a bacterial urinary tract infection or address a serious urinary blockage. Cat urinary tract infection treatment and recovery will be easier if you seek help early.
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Use Of Antibiotics For Treating Utis In Dogs And Cats
JD Foster
VMD, DACVIM
Dr. Foster is an internist and Director of the Extracorporeal Therapies Service at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C. He has lectured around the world on various renal and urinary diseases and authored numerous manuscripts and book chapters on these topics. He is the current president of the American Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology.
Urinary tract infections are common in small animal practice it has been reported that up to 27% of dogs will develop infection at some time in their lives.1
Most UTIs are successfully treated with commonly used drugs, dosages, and administration intervals. However, infections can be challenging to effectively treat when they involve the kidneys and prostate . In addition, it can be difficult to create an appropriate antibiotic prescription in patients with kidney disease due to reduced drug clearance.
Understanding drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is essential when determining the most effective antibiotic therapy. In addition, successful antimicrobial therapy requires appropriate choice of antibiotic, including dose, frequency, and duration .
Treating Utis In Cats
Antibiotics will be prescribed to kill the bacteria in the bladder and symptomatic treatment may also be necessary to ease a cat’s discomfort. This usually includes pain medications. Probiotics may also be recommended to restore a healthy population of bacteria in the gut after the antibiotics since beneficial bacteria may also be wiped out by a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
The choice of antibiotic should be guided by the culture and sensitivity results, however, ease of administration, such as pills vs. liquid vs. injection, may also play a role in addition to any underlying conditions your cat may have.
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Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
One important part of treating a UTI is increasing your cats water intake. For general cases of FLUTD, treatment will vary based on the cause of the infection.
Urolithiasis
Surgery is sometimes required to remove stones from the bladder. A change in diet may help dissolve certain types of bladder stones. If this is possible, your vet will prescribe a special diet that will help break up the stones and keep them from coming back.
Urethral Plugs
Urethral plugs must be removed right away, as they can cause kidney failure in as little as 2-3 days. In this case, your cat will be administered anesthetic and the vet will remove the blockage. Because your cat will have a urinary catheter after this procedure, your cat will be kept overnight or even for a few days. Your vet may prescribe painkillers and a special diet to help prevent blockages from coming back.
Bacterial Infection
This type of infection, typically clears up easily with the use of antibiotics. The vet will determine which type of drug to prescribe based on the type of bacteria present in the urine.
Neoplasia
Unfortunately, by the time symptoms start to appear, neoplasia will likely already be at an advanced stage, making removal of the tumor impossible. Fortunately, though, this disease is quite rare in cats, and usually affects older cats. Chemotherapy treatment might help manage the tumors size. Your vet may also prescribe NSAID pain relievers, which can reduce tumor inflammation.
How Do Cats Get Utis
As mentioned, cats get UTIs from bacterial infections in their bladder or urethra. In some cases, this is caused by Feline Urinary Tract Disease , which is an endocrine disease that can prevent your cats bladder from emptying properly. Underlying causes of FLUDT can include:
- Uroliths : In this case, minerals that are found naturally in your cats pee clump up and form small crystals inside the bladder of your cat. This can cause irritation on the lining of the bladder.
- Urethral Obstruction: This occurs when your cats urethra becomes blocked, whether it be by a collection of minerals and tissue or by larger stones. In this case, your cat wont be able to urinate at all.
- Feline Idiopathic Cystitis: In rarer cases, a cats lower urinary tract can become irritated without the presence of bacteria or stones. Usually, this is a result of stress or changes in diet.
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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.
What Can I Do To Prevent A Uti From Occurring In The Future
Your veterinarian will let you know if there is anything that can be done to prevent your cats UTI from coming back. There is evidence that specific diets can support lower urinary tract health. It is best to discuss UTI prevention and bladder health with your veterinarian in order to put into action an effective plan.
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Our Mission Is To Help You Keep Your Pets Happy And Healthy Naturally
Tom Farrington MRCVS., MVB., VetMFHom – recognised many years ago the increasing demand for alternative “chemical free” treatments for common conditions that, while not life-threatening, cause suffering in animals. Previous ways of treating such conditions were with expensive and often harmful medications that had significant unwanted side effects.
So, in a desire to help pets and their pet parents all around the world achieve a more natural path to good health, in 1994 Tom and his brother Daniel founded HomeoPet. We have been helping pet owners and animal lovers around the world find a more natural route to pet health ever since.
- Safe, gentle, natural pet medicine
- No harsh chemicals
- May be used for kittens
- Great value up to 90 doses per bottle
- Easy liquid dosing medicine
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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What Should I Do If My Cat Hasnt Peed In 2 Days
Go to the vet immediately. Get off your computer, pack up the carrier, get in the car, and go.
A cat who hasnt urinated for 24 hours is at risk of becoming seriously ill. By that point, toxins in the bladder have started to seep into the rest of the body. By 48 hours, those toxins have been circulating for a long time, the bladder is excruciatingly full, and death is a very real possibility.
Signs Of Utis In Cats
- Straining to urinate
- Crying or other vocalization when urinating
- Urinating blood
- Urinating outside of the litter box
- Licking at the urethra
- Increased frequency of urination
Cats that have urinary tract infections are likely to be uncomfortable when they urinate. This discomfort or pain may sometimes cause them to cry or vocalize when they urinate. Straining to urinate and urinating small amounts frequently is also commonly seen.
A cat with a urinary tract infection may also lick at its genitals in an attempt to ease the discomfort and will also often urinate outside of the box. This may occur on the floor right beside the litter box or in other places such as the bathtub or carpet.
Some cats with urinary tract infections will also have blood in their urine and this may be seen in the litter box or on the floor, but can be hard to see in clumping litter.
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