If you’ve ever experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI), you’re all too familiar with the discomfort, burning, and urgency they can cause. While UTI-prone humans are usually able to recognize this unpleasant ordeal by its symptoms and seek treatment, our cats need our help.
If you’ve noticed unusual litter box activity or other signs of distress, it’s possible that your feline friend may be experiencing a urinary tract infection. Here’s how to recognize a UTI so you can get your cat on the road to recovery.
UTI Symptoms in CatsCats tend to be stoic when they are in pain. Often the most tell-tale signs of a feline urinary tract infection are sudden changes in toileting habits. Keep an eye out for:
While uncomplicated UTIs can resolve quickly with a course of antibiotics, untreated infections can lead to kidney failure, bladder ruptures, and even death.
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria enter your cat’s urethra and begin to reproduce in the bladder. When your cat’s body mounts an immune system response to fight the infection, the tissues of the urinary tract become swollen and inflamed.
The most common culprit is E. coli, a bacterium present in cats’ feces. For this reason, cats living in unsanitary conditions and cats who can’t properly groom themselves due to age, injury, or obesity are more likely to experience a UTI.
Another key risk factor is chronic dehydration. When cats don’t drink enough water, they can produce very concentrated urine that is an ideal breeding environment for bacteria. Adding wet food to their diet or upgrading their water dish can encourage your feline friend to stay hydrated.
Urinary tract infections are just one kind of urinary illness cats may experience. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a catch-all term that encompasses UTIs and other causes of urinary discomfort.
While pet parents may be quick to attribute frequent urination and signs of pain to a UTI, these symptoms can be similar to those of other common urological issues.
Cats’ urine naturally contains salts and minerals. Occasionally, these minerals can crystalize into hard formations called urinary stones. Urinary stones can have sharp edges that irritate the walls of the bladder, causing bloody urine, pain, and difficulty urinating.
Small stones can sometimes pass on their own, but more often, they have to be cleared with a catheter or surgically removed.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to mistake a urethral obstruction — a life-threatening emergency — for a UTI.
If the urethral opening becomes blocked by urinary stones, mineral buildup, or an overgrowth of tissue, a ruptured bladder is inevitable. If your cat stops passing urine, get to the vet right away. A fast surgical intervention is your pet’s best chance of survival.
Sometimes, cats can experience urinary tract inflammation without the presence of an infection, blockage, or bladder stones.
Scientists don’t know exactly what causes idiopathic cystitis, but most suspect that it is related to stress. If your vet has ruled out all other explanations for FLUTD, changes in diet, routine, or your litter box arrangement can help ease your cat’s urinary issues.
While feline diabetes and hyperthyroidism are not urinary tract diseases, they do feature frequent urination as a common early symptom.
If incontinence or excessive trips to the litter box are accompanied by changes in thirst, appetite, or weight, it’s a good idea to have your cat screened for these conditions. Early detection and careful management can keep your cat’s quality of life at its best.
Before you reach for the cranberry pills or apple cider vinegar supplements, visit your vet. Because the symptoms of several common urinary tract diseases can look very similar, it’s important to be certain of what you’re treating.
A urinalysis can confirm the presence of a UTI, and, depending on its severity, your vet may prescribe antibiotics. Because unresolved UTIs can cause kidney failure and other serious complications, it’s best to act fast and get your cat some relief.
At Falls Village Veterinary Hospital, a Raleigh, NC veterinarian, dogs, cats & their families deserve the best. In fact, we specialize in delivering warm, compassionate care that reminds our clients and patients how unique and important they truly are. We provide complete veterinary care including dentistry, laser therapy, surgery, and more. Call us today!
