Common Causes of Urinary Tract Infections With a Cat

Urinary tract infection with a cat is a painful situation both for the pet and the owner. Most of the time, owners are taken by surprise when the veterinarian tells them that their beloved kitty is suffering from urinary tract infection, or UTI. Some questions running in their minds would be: "Do cats have UTI like people?", or "How can that happen when I'm taking care of my pet well?", and even "Is medication expensive for cat UTI?"

There are two types of feline UTI and it can be caused by many factors. But the common culprit for this condition is bacterial infection caused by Escherichia coli or E. coli. Yes, the same bacteria which can down an unsuspecting human can also wreak havoc in your cat's health. Other contaminants include Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus and Klebsiella.

When these bacteria enter the urethra and proliferate in the bladder, UTI will normally follow. This illness is more common among female cats and dogs, but generally cats are more prone to contract this disorder than dogs.

UTI in cats can also be fungal, parasitic, or viral in nature. But despite extensive diagnostic tests done by doctors, sometimes the cause of a cat's UTI remains unconfirmed. Feline UTI can be a sign of more life-threatening illnesses such as bladder tumor or bladder cancer. There can also be kidney stones which cause blockages in the urinary tract. In this case, the cat at this point is suffering from a great deal of pain, and different means are employed by vets to get the treatments started:

Catherization. Yes, cats can be put on a catheter; one that's designed to take the blockage out of the urethra. This requires sedation or anesthesia, unless the cat is already unconscious or comatose.


Intravenous fluid therapy. Once the obstruction is taken out, doctors can address the problem of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance with intravenous fluids. This can also serve as the cat's intake of much-needed medication or nourishment.


Antimicrobial medications. These are administered to combat the infection to get the cat's body into healing mode.


Medication for bladder functions. Sometimes, to encourage full recovery, these drugs are given to enhance the bladder's efficiency.


Surgery. Called perineal urethrostomy, this is commonly considered to be the last resort for treating catswhich persistently develop urinary tract blockages.
So what can you do to help keep your cat UTI-free? Many experts believe that urinary tract infection with a cat is directly linked to their diet. For bacterial infections, your cat food may be contaminated right from the moment you bought it off the shelf; or, it can be contaminated at home. Check how your cat food is stored. The container should be stored in a clean, dry place and its container should be sealed properly to avoid moisture and to keep away pests. Keep your kitty's food and water bowls clean at all times.

The chances of contracting urinary tract infection with a cat can be lessened by responsible actions done by pet owners. Monitor your cat's diet, and visit the vet for regular check ups.

To find out more about a well-researched, natural treatment for Urinary tract infection in pets, please visit pet-urinary-health.com Puneet Aggarwal is a regular writer on Pet problems and suggests natural alternatives. If you have any questions, you may visit his website.