What Can I Do At Home To Prevent Future Occurrences Of Flutd
Depending on the underlying cause for FLUTD, the clinical signs may never, or only occasionally, reoccur. However, recurrence is more common with FIC. To help reduce the chances of recurrence:
- Feed small meals on a frequent basis.
- Consult with your veterinarian about the best diet for your cat. Many commercial diets are acceptable, but some urinary conditions respond better to specialized diets. Canned food may be preferred.
- Provide clean, fresh water at all times.
- Provide an adequate number of litter boxes with the type of litter that the cat prefer
- Keep litter boxes in quiet, safe areas of the house.
- Keep litter boxes clean they should be scooped twice a day and the litter changed weekly .
- Minimize major changes in routine.
Recovery And Management Of Urinary Tract Infection In Cats
The recovery period depends on the severity of the UTI and how quickly the cat was treated. If the infection is caught early on, and there are no other developments as a result, a full recovery should be expected within a few days or so of beginning antibiotic therapy. Some cats seem markedly improved after even one dose of antibiotics. However, ALWAYS complete the full course of medications exactly as directed by your veterinarian.
Occasionally, cats will develop frequent, recurrent urinary tract infections. In these cases, a longer course of antibiotics and repeat urine cultures may be necessary.
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Crystals In Cats Are Dangerous
In some patients, stones will lodge in the urethra and cause a dangerousblockage. Cats will be unable to produce urine or will only produce it in verysmall amounts. Some of these stones that have lodged may be small enough thatthey can be guided back into the bladder safely, relieving the blockage andallowing the cat to urinate once again.
Vets can perform a technique called retro hydropulsion, whereby thestones are encouraged to move back into the bladder via pressure and the use ofsaline under high-power. As this can be quite uncomfortable, it is eitherperformed under a heavy sedation or general anaesthetic. Once the stones havebeen moved from the riskier place to the bladder and the cat can pass urineagain, the stones can then be dealt with. So, if the stones are calciumoxalate, a surgery will still be on the cards. Surgery to remove stones fromthe bladder is far safer than one which involves making an incision in thesmall urethra. If the stones are struvite, this procedure can mean that asurgery to remove the blockage is unnecessary and we have now bought some timefor the diet to work.
In male cats in particular, this procedure is particularly tricky asthey have such narrow tubes, but it is possible with very small instruments.Sometimes, a laser will be used at the same time as this procedure so that thestones can be broken up, allowing for easier removal.
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Understanding Cat Urinary Problems
Urinary problems in cats can be caused by infection or disease. Most cats that suffer from UTIs are above the age of 10, and these infections are often secondary to another underlying endocrine issue, such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes.
Cats can also suffer from other urinary tract diseases, such as FLUTD , cystitis, or even a urethral blockage due to bladder stones.
Symptoms of UTIs and urinary issues in cats may include:
- Trouble urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Urine with a strong odor
Any of these symptoms need to be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as some urinary tract issues can become an emergency very rapidly.
Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and may obtain a urine sample to test for red and white blood cells, crystals, pH, and other properties. If your cat is diagnosed with a UTI, antibiotics are often administered.
However, there are other products on the market that can support urinary tract health in your cat and prevent frequent recurrence of UTIs.
Diagnostic Tests To Rule Out Cat Uti
A urinalysis must be done as the first step for ruling out whether your cat has a bacterial infection thats causing the urinary symptoms like commonly peeing outside the litter box.
You should never just put your cat on an antibiotic since stress cystitis is the number one reason for cat urinary problems.
Other diagnostic tests your veterinarian may recommend include bladder ultrasound to rule out sludge and bladder stones, an abdominal radiograph to rule out bladder and kidney stones, and a urine culture.
A urine culture is very helpful to make sure the right antibiotics are used if your cat has bacteria in its urine on the urinalysis. Antibiotic resistance is, unfortunately, becoming a bigger issue and many commonly used antibiotics are not working as well.
Doing this test will speed up treatment and help your cat feel better, usually meaning less vet visits and expenses in the long term.
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Where Do You Get The Right Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health
The right diet and adequate moisture intake will help to ensure that your cat wont develop a UTI again.
Therapeutic cat food for urinary health is available with a prescription, either through your veterinarian or purchased online. If youd rather not feed a prescription food, many companies now make over-the-counter diets for urinary health. Always consult with a veterinarian before changing your cats diet.
If your cat was previously eating a plant-based or moisture-depleted diet, switching to a species-appropriate diet could be all he or she needs.
Its also possible to use homemade cat food for urinary problems.
Always work with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist when feeding a homemade cat food, especially one intended to address specific health concerns like urinary tract infections and bladder stones.
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Prescription Urinary Tract & Kidney Treatment For Cats
Help fight uncomfortable feline UTIs and kidney problems with urinary tract & kidney medicine. Chewy carries many types of prescription UTI medicine for fighting infections, plus kidney disease treatment for kitties with chronic issues.
Cats who suffer from urinary tract infections usually need prescription treatment. Your vet will need to examine your kitty and will likely prescribe UTI antibiotics. UTI treatment requires a full course of antibiotics, so make sure to finish your cats prescription and administer the recommended dose every day. Younger cats may need special medicine for kittens or adult medicine in smaller doses.
Aging cats sometimes suffer from reduced kidney function or chronic renal disease. Your vet may prescribe a kidney failure treatment or other medications for kidney function support. Common kidney medications for felines include diuretics, enzyme inhibitors, electrolytes and potassium supplements. You may also need to rehydrate your cat at home using IV fluids.
Find everything you need to help treat UTIs and help cats with kidney disease feel better in the Chewy pet pharmacy. We carry prescription cat medicine for a range of ailments and kidney and urinary tract medicine for dogs, as well. Check out our selection of urinary tract & kidney medicine and find just what you need for your best friend!
Frequently Asked Questions aboutPrescription Urinary Tract & Kidney Treatment for Cats
What prescription cat urinary tract and kidney medicine is best?
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When Is A Cat Uti An Emergency
If you are noticing that your cat is struggling to produce urine, your cat cant pee, or is straining to urinate and there is no urine coming out, this is a true emergency especially if your cat is male.
This can be a sign of a urethral obstruction which can lead to severe health conditions and even death if not addressed right away by your veterinarian.
If your cat is blocked, this means your cat cannot pee and can lead to acute kidney failure and as mentioned, a painful death if not addressed.
What Is The Cost Of Treating A Uti In Cats
The cost to treat a UTI can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars into the thousands, depending on the severity of the infection and what needs to be done. Generally, the bigger the city you live in, the higher the costs for medical treatment.
Owners can expect costs to include:
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Possible surgery / hospitalization and other life-saving procedures.
As mentioned above, treating most UTIs is very straightforward, so expenses should be very reasonable.
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How Much Does It Cost To Treat Cat Utis
If your cat is diagnosed with a simple UTI, youll only have to cover the cost of the vet visit, laboratory tests, and the antibiotics which could be around $150-$200. However, if your cat has a complicated UTI that requires additional treatment, you might be looking at costs well into the thousands.
Monitoring Response To Therapy
Patients with a simple, uncomplicated UTI may not require rigorous monitoring. However, patients with complicated, relapsing, or recurrent infections should be monitored very closely. The following protocol is recommended to monitor response to therapy in patients with relapsing, recurrent, or refractory UTI.3
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Diagnosing Utis In Cats
If a cat owner is observing symptoms of a urinary tract infection in their cat they should schedule a visit with their cats veterinarian. A urine sample will need to be collected either by the owner at home with the use of special, non-absorbent litter or by the veterinarian. The veterinarian may temporarily keep the cat in the animal hospital until it urinates on its own in some non-absorbable litter or the urine may be obtained by cystocentesis. Cystocentesis is a quick and non-invasive technique to obtain a urine sample through the use of a needle and syringe. Some veterinarians prefer obtaining urine by cystocentesis while others prefer to allow a cat to provide a sample naturally.
Once urine is obtained a urinalysis will be performed. This type of test checks the urine for bacteria, crystals, blood, parasites, abnormal pH levels, abnormal specific gravity levels, glucose, and other things to aid the veterinarian in making a diagnosis. If bacteria is present in the urinalysis a urinary tract infection is diagnosed. Sometimes a urine culture must also be performed to see exactly what type of bacteria is in the infection in order to choose a specific antibiotic.
Cat Urinary Tract Infection
Cat urinary tract infections are rare compared to the occurrence of UTIs in dogs, nonetheless older cats often experience a host of other urinary tract issues that cause similar symptoms. Today our vets in Somerset County NJ share the symptoms, causes and treatments for urinary tract infections and diseases in cats.
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What Causes Lower Urinary Tract Problems In Cats
When you take your cat to the vet, they may have questions about your cat’s symptoms to try and narrow down the cause of the problem. There are several common reasons for urinary tract problems in cats, including the following.
Urinary Tract Infection
Cats get UTIs when there is a bacterial infection in their bladder or urethra. Your vet will need a urine sample to diagnose this condition.
Uroliths
Urine naturally contains minerals that can clump up and form tiny crystals, and even large stones, in your cat’s bladder. They can irritate the lining of the bladder or urethra and cause bloody urine and pain while urinating.
Your vet will need to do urine tests, x-rays, or an ultrasound to diagnose urinary stones.
Urethral Obstruction
In some cases, your cat’s urethra can be completely blocked, either by stones or by a build-up of minerals and tissue called a “urethral plug.”
A cat with an obstruction like this won’t be able to pass urine at all. An obstruction of the urethra is a medical emergency and you should call your vet right away.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
Occasionally, the inside of a cat’s lower urinary tract will get irritated without an infection or stones being present. Sometimes it can be a symptom of stress or a reaction to a change in diet.
Other Causes
Struvite/urate Dissolution Diet Food
Struvite/Urate Dissolution Diet Food, also known as PKD or Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Feline Urinary Tract Health is a special diet for cats with struvite crystals in their urine. It can be used in conjunction with antibiotics and is not recommended for cats with a history of urinary tract stones or kidney disease.
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Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
While cats often have urinary tract issues, our kitty companions are more prone to urinary tract disease than infections. Cats that do develop urinary tract infections are typically 10 years of age or older and often suffer from endocrine diseases, including hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus.
If your feline companion is displaying symptoms of a urinary tract infection and is diagnosed with cystitis, your veterinarian will prescribe and antibacterial to help battle your cats UTI.
The most common symptoms of urinary tract infection in cats include reduced amounts of urine, straining to urinate, pain or discomfort when urinating, not urinating at all, urinating around the house , and passing urine tinged with blood .
These symptoms may be caused by a urinary tract infection, but there are also numerous feline lower urinary tract diseases that may cause your cat to display the symptoms of UTI listed above.
Seeking Help From A Veterinarian
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When To See A Vet
These at-home treatments and remedies may be effective for clearing up minor infections, but more serious infections need to be treated by a professional animal doctor.
If your cat is experiencing mild or moderate symptoms, you can try these remedies to relieve their symptoms. If their symptoms show no sign of improvement in a few days, talk to a veterinarian. If your cat seems to be in pain or is unable to pass urine, see a vet immediately. This could be a sign of urethral obstruction, which can be fatal if not treated within 24 to 48 hours.
A vet may be able to prescribe antibiotics to target the harmful bacteria. Be sure to give your cat the full dose of prescribed antibiotics to prevent the UTI from returning or becoming resistant to treatment.
Even if youre pursuing professional treatment, these remedies can be effectively used alongside antibiotics to strengthen the bladder and balance your cats pH levels. Some can also be used as a daily supplement to prevent the UTI from coming back.
What Are The Chances Of Flutd Coming Back
Urinary tract disease is potentially a lifelong disease. Any cat that has been treated for urinary tract disease runs the risk of contracting it again. Even with the best treatment, some cats may have recurring signs or periodic episodes. Therefore, itâs important to continue your veterinarians food recommendation to manage the disease with a urinary health cat food and watch closely for recurrence of signs and symptoms.
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Dont Ignore Urinary Problems In Cats
Urinary tract disorders are relatively common in cats, according to Dr. Arnon Gal, a veterinarian who specializes in small animal internal medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. But unlike urinary tract infections in people, in cats these problems are not usually caused by bacteria.
Generally speaking, infectious agents such as bacteria are infrequent in urinary tract disease in cats, says Dr. Gal. Instead, the problem in cats is usually stress induced.
What Are Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
Urinary tract infections are not common in cats. Only 1-3% of cats with signs of urinary tract disease will have a urinary tract infection.
Because they can resemble so many other conditions, UTIs need to be distinguished from other conditions, such as crystals in the urine. Fortunately, by running some simple tests, your veterinarian will be able to tell the difference.
In most cases, UTIs in cats are usually caused by bacteria. Bacterial urinary tract infections in cats are generally relatively easy to treat and respond well to medications. Chronic infections, or those that do not respond to regular medication, can require more testing to figure out why your cat is at higher risk for urinary tract infections.
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