How to Treat a Cat's Bladder Infection

Cat urinary tract and bladder infections, also known as FLUTD and cystitis, have a variety of causes and symptoms. Proper treatment depends on an accurate, timely diagnosis. This article outlines the common causes and best treatments for these conditions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Diagnosis

1. Recognize the usual causes of bladder infections. An infection can be caused the following: bacterial infection, high ash and mineral content in dry food, dehydration and stress.
2. Recognize the symptoms of cat urinary problems, such as excessive straining or squatting when using the litter box, frequent or absent urination, unusual meowing or crying while urinating, urinating outside of the litter box (particularly on hard cool surfaces), bloody urine, excessive cleaning of genitals, vomiting and depression.
3. Take the cat to the veterinarian for an examination. The vet will feel for bladder stones and press on the bladder to see if a blockage is preventing urine release. If a blockage is present, the vet will insert a needle into the bladder to extract a urine sample. The needle will not hurt the cat and will help relieve bladder pressure. The vet may also draw blood and take X-rays.
4. Obtain a diagnosis. Urinalysis will test for crystals, blood or bacteria in the urine and check the pH levels. Blood testing identifies other related medical problems. X-rays will display stones, tumors or congenital abnormalities.

Treatment

5. Reduce your cat's stress level, which can be factor in any cat urinary problem. Environmental sources of stress include travel, a new living space and a new pet or person at home.
6. Provide immediate treatment for crystals by re-hydrating the cat, usually through a vet-administered IV. Prevent the future formation crystals by changing the cat's diet and ensuring she drinks more water. The vet will recommend specific diet changes based on the type of crystals and pH levels in the urine. If the cat refuses to eat the new food, the vet may prescribe urinary acidifiers.
7. Treat bacterial infection with antibiotics. Give the cat its medication as prescribed.
8. The vet will remove urinary tract blockage by inserting a catheter into the urethra to dislodge the blockage and flush it out. Leave the catheter in place for 24 hours to prevent blockage recurrence. The procedure requires anesthetization, a hospital stay and antibiotics.
9. Address a tumor or congenital abnormality with surgery. Ask the vet to explain the procedure, risks and after care.

Tips & Warnings

• Introduce more water into your cat's diet by mixing it with wet food and restricting the amount of dry food.
• Contact your veterinarian immediately is you suspect a blockage. Bladder obstructions pose a more serious risk to male cats because their urethra is smaller. An obstruction untreated within 48 hours can result in death from kidney failure.
• Bladder and urinary problems pose a serious health risk; if your cat presents any warning signs, take her to the veterinarian immediately.