Cat Bladder Infection
What to Do About Cat Bladder Infection
Cats are usually quite the creatures of habit, so when you notice your cat is visiting the litter box more often and crying while there, you suspect it could be a cat bladder infection causing its distress.
A urinary tract infection is often at the root of the problem that leads to a cat bladder infection. The urinary infection can occur at any time to any cat, although it is females that are primarily the victims. Any one of several causes can be the culprit behind the infection, including your cat’s diet, environment, stress, gender and age. Diet is frequently the issue; especially true if your cat has a dry food only menu. Excessive protein, whether plant, meat or fish, can create urine that is more alkaline and acidic than normal; resulting in formation of crystals and stones in the bladder. These foreign substances often lead to cat bladder infection.
There are definite signs that your pet may be suffering from this disorder. You may notice that your cat is making more frequent trips to the litter box, and spending more time in the box without urinating as much as usual. When you clean the litter, you may see signs of blood and may smell a foul odor that is out of the ordinary. Cat bladder infection may affect normal behaviors, as well. Your pet, always fastidious in the past, may even be urinating in inappropriate areas. Tenderness around the belly area, sluggishness and fever could all or singly be additional symptoms.
An accurate diagnosis from a qualified veterinarian is required for cat bladder infection. There are two ways to test the urine for the disorder. In the first method, the cat will need use a special, non-absorbing litter while in the veterinary hospital. This is the simplest of methods. Many cats are stressed from unfamiliar surroundings however, and will not use the litter box. In these cases, cytocentesis will be performed by inserting a needle into the cat’s bladder by way of the abdomen. The collected urine is then tested for infection.
If test results show that your cat has just an infection, a regimen of antibiotics will likely be prescribed; along with pain medication should it be needed. Crystals in the urine will require a more complicated treatment, as a change in diet will need to be implemented immediately and carried through for several weeks. The diet changes the acidity or alkaline levels of the urine, which will in turn dissolve the crystals over time. Quite often, a lifelong diet change will be needed to prevent future formation of the crystals.
Cat bladder infection can be distressing for both you and your pet. Early detection will lead to early relief of symptoms.