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How To Tell If My Cat Has A Uti

Does My Cat Have A Urinary Tract Infection

How to recognize if your cat has a urinary tract infection

While urinary tract problems are often seen in cats, your cat is more likely to suffer from a urinary tract disease than an infection.

That said, when urinary tract infections do affect cats it is typically in cats over 10 years of age who are suffering from an underlying endocrine disease such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus.

The most common symptoms of urinary tract infections in cats include straining to urinate, reduced amounts of urine, not urinating at all, pain or discomfort when urinating, passing urine tinged with blood and urinating around the house or outside of the litter box. Nonetheless, these very same symptoms can be an indication of a feline lower urinary tract disease or FLUTD.

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.

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:

  • Difficult / painful urination: If your cat cries out while urinating, or very little urine passes, a UTI may be the cause.

  • Incontinence: A UTI can cause temporary lack of bladder control.

  • Blood in the urine

  • 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 .

  • Urinating outside the litter box: In some cases, a cat will urinate in other locations around the house.

  • Overly thirsty: If your cat begins drinking an excessive amount of water, its cause for concern.

  • Lethargy or listlessness

  • Excessive licking at the urethra and abdomen

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Cat Uti Vs Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease is another relatively common condition that can easily be confused with a UTI. While UTIs are caused by an infection, FLUTD describes a range of conditions or diseases affecting a cat’s bladder and urethra without infection, such as urinary stones, a blocked urethra or diabetes, to name a few. FLUTD is often brought on by stress. FLUTD and UTIs have many of the same symptoms, so it’s important to discuss any litter box concerns with your vet.

What Is A Uti In Cats

Cat Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

A cat UTI is just what it sounds like – an infection in the urinary tract. Generally, a bacteria such as E.Coli will find its way up the urinary tract and make it hard for your kitty to urinate. UTIs can cause inflammation of the urinary tract, which makes it painful for your cat to urinate. If not caught early, this can cause a urinary blockage, which can be fatal.

While you may often hear people talk about UTIs in cats, they are often using this as a catch-all phrase to describe other, more common forms of urinary tract disorders. UTIs are relatively uncommon, but there are other urinary issues to keep on your radar.

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Cat Urinary Tract Infection Recovery

When it comes to cats, urinary disorders can be complicated and life-threatening, therefore the first step should be to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your cats urinary symptoms will be determined by the underlying reason, which may entail one or more of the following treatments:

  • Increasing the amount of water your cat consumes
  • Antibiotics or pain relievers to alleviate the symptoms
  • Modified diet
  • Urethral expulsion of tiny stones
  • Removal of large stones Acidifiers for the urine
  • Therapy using fluids
  • Urinary catheterization or surgery for male cats to eliminate urethral blockages are available options.

Please keep in mind that the information contained in this page is meant solely for educational reasons and does not represent medical advice for dogs. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian in order to receive an accurate diagnosis of your pets ailment.

Urinary tract infections and diseases in cats require urgent care! If your cat is showing symptoms of a urinary issue contact your vet straight away orvisit our Somerset emergency vetsto receive urgent veterinary care.

A UTI develops when germs move up the urethra and into the bladder, which is a common occurrence.

Some cats will acquire bladder stones, whether or not they have a urinary tract infection, and this can lead to a variety of other health problems.

Changes In Urine Appearance Or Smell

If a cat has a UTI, their urine will often develop a noticeably pungent ammonia smell. This will be very recognizable, and it will be much stronger than it usually is. Your cats urine might also change in appearance, becoming excessively yellow-colored or cloudy in appearance. If you notice blood in your cats urine, get them to a immediately, this could be a sign of a UTI or something more serious.

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Cat Uti Symptoms & Signs

Urinary tract infections in cats are caused by bacteria that travel up the cats urethra. Sometimes the bacteria can travel through the urethra into the cats bladder causing an infection called bacterial cystitis. In severe cases, bacteria can also invade the ureters and cause a kidney infection called pyelonephritis.

To prevent these and other conditions, its crucial that pet parents know what to look for when a cats urinary tract infection first strikes.

When cats suffer from urinary problem or urinary tract disease, they often show signs of difficulty urinating. For example, your cat may feel pain when trying to urinate in her litter box, so she may start to associate the litter box with pain and try to urinate outside of the litter box. Other signs of painful or difficult urination include:

  • Visiting the litter box more often than usual
  • Spending a longer than usual amount of time in the litter box
  • Visiting the litter box but not leaving any deposits
  • Bloody urine
  • Attempting to urinate in other parts of the house
  • Drinking more water than usual
  • Not eating as much as usual

It is essential to differentiate the symptoms of a UTI to those of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease . FLUTD is a blanket term used to represent a collection of symptoms that could be a result from a number of lower urinary tract problems. FLUTD is diagnosed after ruling out a UTI. There are several causes for FLUTD including

Should I Put My Cat Down For Urinary Blockage

How to Tell if Your Cat Has a Bladder Infection

If your cat has urinary blockage, they should be hospitalized immediately for emergency treatment. The veterinary staff may place an intravenous catheter to deliver fluids and medicine to your cat. Your cat will then be sedated and a urinary catheter will be placed to relieve the obstruction and empty their bladder.

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How Do Cats Get Utis

As mentioned, cats get UTIs from bacterial infections in their bladder or urethra. More rarely, UTIs can be caused by fungal infections. Other causes of cat UTIs include:

  • A suppressed immune system in cats with other concurrent illnesses, like diabetes, Cushings syndrome, or cancer
  • Bladder stones
  • Loss of urethral tone, ectopic ureters, or conditions where the bladder fails to completely empty
  • Recent placement of a urinary catheter for any reason

Q: Should I Bring My Cat To The Vet Any Time He Exhibits Strange Litter Box Behavior

Dr. Leslie: Because there are a number of causes of lower urinary tract disease, consulting your veterinarian is important. Some causes of abnormal bathroom behavior in cats can be stressors, such as moving to a new house, new people, new pets or other illnesses. Diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and osteoarthritis can also be underlying causes of unusual urinary behavior. Your veterinarian will run some diagnostic tests to understand the cause and to help advise a plan to get back on track.

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What Causes Utis In Cats

In general, urinary tract infections develop when the urethra becomes contaminated with bacteria that normally colonize the rectum and surrounding area. Once in the urethra, the bacteria migrate upstream and take up residence in the bladder.

The presence of mineralized bladder stones or crystals in the urine may also be a cause of UTIs. Because the crystals are hard and irritating to the bladder, theres a greater risk for infection.

Urinary Tract Infection Cat Uti

Cats with urinary tract conditions may strain to urinate, have frequent ...

While urinary tract difficulties are common in cats, we are more likely to find urinary tract illness than true infections in these cases. When cats get urinary tract infections, it is generally a symptom of an underlying endocrine condition, such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus, which can be life-threatening. The majority of cats that suffer from these ailments, which are often accompanied by urinary tract problems, are above the age of ten. In most cases, cats that have been diagnosed with urinary tract infections, such as cystitis, are given an antibiotic medication to help them battle the condition.

Other symptoms include pain or discomfort when urinating, passing urine tinged with blood, and urinating in areas other than the litter box or in a confined space.

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Feline Urinary Tract Disease

FLUTD is actually a term that covers many clinical symptoms. FLUTD can lead to issues in your cats bladder and urethra, often causing the urethra to become blocked or preventing your cats bladder from properly emptying. Left untreated, these conditions can even become serious or life-threatening.

If your cat is suffering from FLUTD, they may find urination difficult, painful or impossible. They may also urinate more often, or in inappropriate areas outside the litter box .

Q: What Can I Do To Maintain My Cats Urinary Tract Health Especially As He Or She Ages

Dr. Leslie: Water, water, water and water! To increase water in the overall diet, try these techniques: provide multiple water bowls around the house that are wide enough so whiskers dont touch the bowl, add a water fountain or add more high-moisture wet cat food, such as from a can or pouch.

Signs of a urinary tract issue can be distressing for cats and parents alike. But check out the 4 signs of a happy cat, and youll know when everything is a-OK.

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Flutd

Unlike humans, cats cannot vocalize their discomfort the second they feel a bladder infection coming on, which is why its so important to keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of FLUTD. Chances are, if your kitty is experiencing one or many of the following symptoms, they are dealing with a UTI or a severe case of FLUTD.

  • Your cat is drinking more water than usual
  • Your cat is urinating outside of her litter box
  • Your kittys litter box has gone untouched or contains very little urine
  • Your cat is sitting in her litter box, for long bouts of time, with little to show for
  • Your kittys urine has an unusually foul smell to it
  • Your cat seems irritated or more lethargic than usual
  • Your cat whimpers or meows in pain when trying to urinate
  • Your kitty is compulsively grooming her genital or abdominal areas
  • There is blood in your cats urine
  • You can feel an apple-sized ball of fluid in your kittys abdomen they cry out when you touch it

How To Recognize And Treat A Cat Urinary Tract Infection

how can I treat my cat if it has a UTI or FLUTD?

posted on February 27, 2020 by Heritage Animal Hospital

Cats rule the world, or maybe it just feels that way to their owners. Our feline companions can be the light of our lives. Pets can turn any bad day into paw-somely purr-fect one. However, when your furry friend isnt feeling their best, it can cause stress both for the cat and you as a pet parent.

Because February is National Cat Health Month, we would like to highlight a common feline issue: urinary tract infection . This time of year, we see more cases of UTIs, especially in males.

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Q: How Dangerous Are These Conditions

Dr. Leslie: Though uncommon, true UTIs can be associated with kidney infections, which can make cats extremely ill and can lead to sudden kidney failure. If not treated quickly, this can be fatal.

FLUTD may result in the accumulation and even concretion of cells, mucous and crystals in the bladder and urethra. If this were to occur in the urethra, your cat wouldn’t be able to void urine, leading to potentially serious problems. A urethra obstruction is a medical emergency and your cat should be seen immediately even in the middle of the night! Indoor, neutered, male cats are at higher risk for urethral obstructions it is rare in female cats.

Causes Of Urinary Tract Issues In Cats

A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that have worked their way into the urethra . Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and typically affect the urethra and bladder. Left untreated, they can spread to the kidneys, causing a serious infection called pyelonephritis.

UTIs are not especially common in cats, but other urinary tract issues occur often. Your cat’s trouble urinating can have a number of possible causes, some of which can be painful. Urinary conditions can block the flow of urine or inflame parts of the urinary tract. If you’ve been on the hunt for information online, you may have heard about feline lower urinary tract disease , which is a catch-all term for a variety of possible culprits, including UTIs and the following conditions:

  • Urinary stones, which develop in the bladder from microscopic crystals
  • Urethral obstruction, possibly caused by crystalized minerals in the urine, an injury, a tumor, or an abnormality your cat has had since birth
  • Feline idiopathic cystitis , which is inflammation of a cat’s bladder with an unknown cause. This is a common diagnosis in cats less than 10 years old. A veterinarian may diagnose the condition after ruling out other conditions.

Some cats are predisposed to problems of the lower urinary tract, especially cats older than 10 years and those with kidney disease or diabetes.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Utis In Cats

Common symptoms of cat urinary tract infections or other bladder disorders include:

  • Frequent urination, but only peeing small amounts at a time
  • Urinating outside of the litter box
  • Straining or inability to urinate
  • Crying in pain while peeing
  • Increased licking of the urinary opening
  • Cloudy or bloody urine
  • Drinking more water than usual

Make sure youre always watching out for changes in your cats peeing habits to stop a UTI in its tracks. And if you know that your cat has been diagnosed with bladder stones or has any other risk factors, its always a good idea to keep an extra eye on the litter box and your kittys toileting habits.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Getting Another Bladder Infection

How to Tell if Your Cat Has a UTI

Unfortunately, there is no magic recipe when it comes to the prevention of FLUTD. However, there are a few ways you can boost your chances of making your cats UTI a one-time thing rather than a recurring problem.

When it comes to FLUTD, environmental factors are usually the culprits. And so, promoting a clean urinary tract opening is a great way to prevent infections. Here are a few ways you can achieve this:

  • Give each cat in your household their proper litter box
  • Keep your kittys litter box clean
  • Regularly wash your cats bed and/or blankets
  • Give them access to clean water
  • Improve their diets

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How Long Does It Take For A Uti To Go Away In A Cat

If you suspect your cat has a UTI, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. They can help determine if your cat’s symptoms are being caused by a UTI or FLUTD. Once UTI treatment begins, symptoms usually start improving after a few days.

Cleaning litter boxes may not be the most glamorous part of cat ownership, but your knowledge of your cat’s litter box routine is a helpful tool in catching urinary tract or bladder issues early.

Cranberries Pills Or Powder

This fruit contains chemicals that can reduce or even stop the signs of cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder . It does not get rid of an infection, but it may stop it from coming back.

Do Not Use Cranberry Supplements Without Getting a Urinalysis Done

Don’t use the juice, though, as it is better to buy the pills or powder. I would not recommend using this for your cat before you have a urinalysis done.

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Yes All This Is Yucky But Important

If your cat has a UTI, not only is she in pain pain which a visit to the vet will help with enormously but if ignored, a UTI can easily lead to severe kidney problems.4 And that can lead to huge vet bills or worse, a trip to the rainbow bridge before Kittys time.

Learn to recognize these signs. If you spot them, its time to call the doctor.

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