Urinary tract infection in cats is a urinary tract disease that generally develops due to external factors and includes urethral obstruction symptoms. Although it is observed equally in both sexes, it is more likely to be seen in cats with an above-normal weight. Angry and overly stressed cats are prone to disease.
The disease is usually seen in cats between the ages of 2-6, in the spring and autumn seasons. Since hair loss in the spring and autumn seasons causes stress, the susceptibility to urinary tract infection increases. The probability of recurrence of the disease is in the range of 30-70%.
What is Urinary Tract Infection in Cats?
Urinary tract infection in cats; It is a urinary system disorder that is common in humans and causes pain. It usually occurs when the urinary tract is infected by bacterial agents. It can also occur due to tumor, injury, and weakening of the immune system.
How Cat Urinary Tract Infection Occurs ?
Although urinary tract infection is mostly caused by bacteria, it can also occur for different reasons such as bladder stones, stress and nutrition. Once the bacteria enter the bladder, they grow, multiply, and invade the sterile bladder. Dirty environments allow bacteria to enter the urethra and cause urinary tract infection. Less water consumption and the stress factor that develops due to the cat going out of its safe area are among the main causes of urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infection can lead to more serious health problems while reducing the quality of life of cats. Therefore, cats should be taken to veterinary control immediately in suspicious cases.
The following factors also trigger urinary tract infections to a great extent:
- Bacteria
- Stress
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Viruses
- Bladder Stones
- Dental and Gum Diseases
- Hygiene Negligence
- Neoplasms
- Anatomical abnormalities
- Other diseases or problems, such as various kidney diseases or diabetes
- Blood pressure
- Urine stones
- Urethral plugs
Is Urinary Tract Infection in Cats Dangerous?
Urinary tract infections in cats can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. If the infection reaches the kidneys, the cat's risk of kidney failure is increased. There is also a risk of kidney failure in infections that cause urinary tract obstruction. Therefore, it is necessary not to neglect the veterinary examination as soon as the symptoms of urinary tract infection are noticed.
What Are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in Cats?
Urinary tract infection, which is more likely to occur in middle-aged and diabetic cats, may not show symptoms until it becomes dangerous in the body, but common symptoms include:
- Difficulty urinating, murmuring and restlessness
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Strong smelling urine
- Frequent urination
- Significant swelling in the abdomen
- Inability to urinate
- Painful urination
- Very frequent cleaning of the genital area
- Changing positions too often after digging the sand
Is Urinary Tract Infection in Cats Contagious?
Since urinary tract infection in cats can be caused by causes such as fungi, viruses, parasites, there is a possibility of transmission of the disease to other cats. In environments where more than one cat is together, cats with urinary tract infections should be separated from other cats.
Situations where there is a high risk of urinary tract infection, which is a risk of transmission in common areas of cats, are as follows:
- Fur stuffiness in long-haired and poorly cared-for dense-haired breeds
- Stuffiness and lack of hygiene in shelter areas
- Shared use of accessories and equipment such as cages, leashes, food and water bowls.
- Non-following of cats living indoors and outdoors
- Mating in cats
How to Diagnose Urinary Tract Infection in Cats?
When a urinary tract infection is suspected in cats, a veterinarian should be consulted without delay. The methods that veterinarians will use in the process of diagnosing the infection with the necessary examinations can be:
- Physical examination: The veterinarian will check the bladder and examine other physical signs.
- Urine Test: Values such as protein, glucose, ketone in the urine are checked. Also stones, epithelial cells, leukocytes, erythrocytes, etc. is examined.
- X-ray or ultrasound: It is determined whether there is an infection by imaging the urinary tract.
The veterinarian can expect the cat to urinate alone with the use of absorbent diapers, and the cat can be kept in the hospital during this process.
Urine can be taken from the bladder through a needle and catheter. This prevents the cat from being exposed to external bacteria. After the urine is taken, examinations are carried out.
Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection in Cats
During the infection diagnosis process, the type of bacterium is determined and antibiotic treatment is started according to this bacterium. If the infection did not damage the kidneys and did not become dangerous in the body, antibiotic treatments are largely successful. If there is a stress factor, tranquilizers are used.
If the underlying cause of urinary tract infection in cats is diagnosed correctly, the disease can be managed with antibiotic medication and medical support treatment.
Can Urinary Tract Infection in Cats Be Treated at Home?
When a urinary tract infection is suspected in cats, specialist support should be sought. Because if the disease is not treated, it can lead to very serious problems. However, if home support treatment is required with physician examination and treatment planning, the care and follow-up of the person living with the infected cat is required.
How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection in Cats?
If there are no symptoms, the measures that can be taken in the cat's habitat to prevent a possible urinary tract infection are:
- Flowing water drinkers to increase water intake
- Regular cleaning of the water bowl
- Putting plenty of clean water in areas that the cat can reach without difficulty
- Not neglecting the cleaning of the sand container
- Elimination of stress factors
- Extra attention to oral care, especially in kittens
- Keeping the urinary opening clean
- Regular veterinarian control and analysis of cats with a high risk of disease
How to Feed Cats with Urinary Tract Infection?
If urinary tract infection is detected in cats, the progression of the disease can be prevented by the diet that the veterinarian deems appropriate. Stone and crystal formation in the bladder can be prevented with therapeutic urine diets. Nutrition habits and diet program vary according to urinary tract diseases of cats. In addition to dry foods, the addition of different nutritional options recommended by the veterinarian prevents hydration imbalances. In addition, drinking plenty of water is very effective in preventing urinary tract diseases.
Urinary Tract Infection in Kittens
Kittens have the same urinary tract infection symptoms as adult cats, but are harder to spot. Because kittens are naturally more active and meow more often, it will be difficult to discern that this is due to pain.
Because their immune systems are low, kittens can have a more painful urinary tract infection. The treatment of urinary tract infection in kittens is in parallel with that of adult cats, according to the condition of the cat, medication and maintenance treatment is recommended by the veterinarian.
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