Diagnosis And Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
When you take your cat to the veterinarian, they will perform a complete medical examination, including palpitating the bladder to check if it is full. They will then generally perform some diagnostic tests to test your pets urine. An x-ray or ultrasound may also be used to evaluate the urinary tract.
Urine analysis will look for the presence of bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells and urinary crystals. A sample of urine will be collected by cystocentesis, which involves inserting a fine needle through the abdominal wall and into the bladder.
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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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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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
Causes Of Urinary Tract Issues In Cats
A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that have worked their way into the urethra . Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and typically affect the urethra and bladder. Left untreated, they can spread to the kidneys, causing a serious infection called pyelonephritis.
UTIs are not especially common in cats, but other urinary tract issues occur often. Your cat’s trouble urinating can have a number of possible causes, some of which can be painful. Urinary conditions can block the flow of urine or inflame parts of the urinary tract. If you’ve been on the hunt for information online, you may have heard about feline lower urinary tract disease , which is a catch-all term for a variety of possible culprits, including UTIs and the following conditions:
- Urinary stones, which develop in the bladder from microscopic crystals
- Urethral obstruction, possibly caused by crystalized minerals in the urine, an injury, a tumor, or an abnormality your cat has had since birth
- Feline idiopathic cystitis , which is inflammation of a cat’s bladder with an unknown cause. This is a common diagnosis in cats less than 10 years old. A veterinarian may diagnose the condition after ruling out other conditions.
Some cats are predisposed to problems of the lower urinary tract, especially cats older than 10 years and those with kidney disease or diabetes.
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Signs Of A Urinary Tract Infection In Cats
Symptoms of UTIs in cats are similar to cystitis, since both conditions cause general discomfort in the urinary system. It is important to note that not all cats show symptomsin one study of cats with a UTI, 35 percent of cats showed no signs .
Below are the symptoms you might see:
- Urination outside of the litter box
- Change in frequency of urination
- Straining to urinate
- Vocalizing while urinating
- Change in color of the urine
- Increased drinking
- Increased volume of urine
- Change in normal behaviors for example, hiding or eating less
- Licking genitalia more frequently
- Discharge from the vulva or prepuce
What Are The Treatments For Lower Urinary Tract Problems
When you bring your cat to the vet, they will examine your pet for any injuries or physical problems that might be contributing to the urinary problems.
The treatment will differ depending on the diagnosis.
Antibiotics Can Treat Cat UTIs
Your vet will prescribe the right medication for your pet. They can advise you on diet changes that might prevent future UTIs.
Clearing Obstructions in the Urethra
The vet will insert a tube into the urinary opening and flush the area with sterile fluid to clear the obstruction. Follow-up care may be required as well.
Special Diet
In other cases, a special diet can dissolve stones in your cat’s bladder. Your vet may suggest special food to prevent more stones from forming in the future.
Treatments for Other Health Problems
If your cat has diabetes, thyroid disease, or cancer, talk to your vet about treatment options.
Cat urinary tract issues are serious and you should not ignore the symptoms. Call your vet if you think your cat has a UTI or other urinary tract problem.
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My Cat Suddenly Began Going To The Litterbox Very Frequently A Sample Of Urine Revealed A Bladder Infection How Did This Happen
While urinary tract disorders are fairly common in cats, urinary tract infections are fairly uncommon. Cats with UTIs try to urinate very frequently, they may pass only small amounts of urine, they may strain to urinate, they may cry out or whine when urinating, and there may be blood visible in their urine. Urinating outside of the litterbox is also a red flag that something is wrong in the bladder. Finally, frequent licking around the rear end may signal that a UTI is present.
Generally, a UTI occurs when bacteria travel up the urethra and into the bladder. Urine in the bladder is supposed to be sterile, but once bacteria find their way to the bladder, the bacteria can grow and reproduce, causing the UTI. Some cats will develop bladder stones, with or without a UTI, and this opens the door for additional health issues.
Dosage Regimens For Uti:
Currently, the duration of therapy for UTI is controversial. Although animals are routinely treated with antimicrobial drugs for 10â14 days, shorter duration antimicrobial regimens are routinely prescribed in human patients, including single-dose fluoroquinolone therapy. A clinical comparison of 3 days of therapy with a once-daily high dose of enrofloxacin with 2 wk of twice daily amoxicillin-clavulanic acid showed equivalence in the treatment of simple UTI in dogs. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage regimens for different classes of antimicrobials, and it is inappropriate to use fluoroquinolones as first-line therapy for simple UTIs. Animals with complicated UTI may require longer courses of therapy, and underlying pathology must be addressed. Chronic complicated cases of UTI, pyelonephritis, and prostatitis may require antimicrobial treatment for 4â6 wk, with the risk of selecting for antimicrobial resistance. A follow-up urine culture should be performed after 4â7 days of therapy to determine efficacy. If the same or a different pathogen is seen, then an alternative therapy should be chosen and the culture repeated again after 4â7 days. Urine should also be cultured 7â10 days after completing antimicrobial therapy to determine whether the UTI has resolved or recurred.
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How To Prevent Cat Urinary Tract Infections
There is always a chance, and sometimes a good chance, that your cat’s UTI or other lower urinary tract problem will recur. Some recommendations to help prevent recurrences of UTIs and other issues are relatively inexpensive. You can start by taking steps to keep your cat healthy. In addition, your veterinarian may suggest some options like these:
Adjust your cat’s diet. Feed measured, high-quality meals on a regular basis and keep your cat at a healthy weight. With your vet’s recommendation, consider a change to a specialized diet for urinary conditions or a switch to wet food . Here are tips from the American Association of Feline Practitioners covering best practices for healthy feeding.
Manage your cat’s water. Keep bowls clean and fresh at all times. More water intake can lower urine concentration, making it more difficult for debris and microorganisms to clump and multiply. You may also consider getting a drinking fountain since many cats are drawn to flowing water.
Calm your cat. Avoid major changes in household routine, and watch for ways to reduce your cat’s stress and anxiety. Consider making some changes in your home to enrich your cat’s life. Learn more about your cats’ senses and ways veterinarians think cats get stressedwhich can manifest itself in the form of illness.
Talk to your vet about the best preventive care and UTI treatments for your cat.
How To Prevent Cats From Getting A Urinary Tract Infection
While not all urinary tract infections in cats can be prevented, there are steps you can take to help your feline avoid urinary issues.
Preventive measures may involve:
- Annual or biannual veterinary examinations to identify underlying conditions early on.
- Taking your cat to the veterinarian as soon as there are changes in behavior or medical status such as appetite or activity level.
- Treatment and long-term management of systemic illness.
- Surgery of the genitalia if there is abnormal structure.
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Treatment Plan And Nursing Considerations
Treatment protocols for complicated infections can range from 30 to 60 days. Therefore, hospitalization for a minimum of 30 days was expected for Katmandu. To address the azotemia, the veterinarian prescribed intravenous fluid therapy of lactated Ringers solution at 4 mL/kg/hour. However, because IVFT is contraindicated for patients with congestive heart failure , any patient with cardiac disease that receives IVFT must be carefully monitored during infusion. Early symptoms of fluid overload include unexpected increases in respiratory rate and effort, which may progress to dyspnea, generalized edema, and nasal discharge. While Katmandu was receiving IVFT, we monitored her respiratory rate and effort every 2 hours we set the limit at which we would notify a veterinarian at 40 breaths/minute or any signs of increased respiratory effort.
Preventing Future Utis In Your Cat
Following your vet visit, you can make other changes to your cats life to decrease the likelihood for FLUTD to come back. Environmental recurrence has shown to reduce the recurrence rate by 80 percent, and can also help your cat use her litter box. This includes spending more time with your cat, giving her access to windows, and giving her more toys. You can also increase the number of litter boxes in your home and make sure theyre properly cleaned.
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Benefits And Uses Of Antibiotics For Cats
Preventing and fighting off bacterial infections is the main and benefit of and use of antibiotics. For example, a cat that sustained trauma to the skin can be given antibiotics to prevent wound infection. If a cat has an abscess , the treatment goal would be to eliminate the current infection.
However, antibiotics can also be used to combat parasites in conjunction with other medications. For example, antibiotics are an integral component of the treatment plan in cats with coccidiosis, giardiasis, or hemobartonellosis.
Antibiotics can also be prescribed for cats with viral diseases such as calicivirus and feline herpesvirus). In such cases, antibiotics are not used to fight off the viruses but to treat secondary bacterial infections.
Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass advises, Make sure to give your cat the full course of antibiotic treatment, even if your cat starts feeling better sooner. If you stop treatment too early, all of the bacteria may not be killed. The surviving bacteria can then replicate and develop antibacterial resistance, making antibiotic treatment less effective in the future.
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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How Long Does Amoxicillin Take To Work In Cats
For susceptible bacterial infections, you will typically see noticeable improvement within 2-3 days of use. Full resolution for an infection depends a lot on the location and severity. This is why its always important to follow the prescribed directions and to finish out all of an antibiotic even if your kitty is looking much better.
What Causes Utis In Cats
A cats urinary system is very good at preventing infection, and urine is typically sterile .
In cats, the following conditions may lead to urinary tract infections:
- Systemic illness, such as diabetes mellitus, kidney failure or hyperthyroidism
- Stones or crystals in the urinary system
- Urinary incontinence
- Hospitalization requiring a catheter to be placed into the bladder
- Use of medications that decrease the immune system
While diet is important to control some urinary issues in cats, it is not known to cause UTI. Since there are no breeds predisposed to UTIs, there is no evidence that genetics cause urinary tract infections.
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Feline Urinary Tract Disease
FLUTD, Feline lower urinary tract disease is actually a general term referring to a cluster of clinical symptoms. FLUTD can cause issues in your cats urethra and bladder, often leading the urethra to become obstructed, or preventing your cat’s bladder from emptying properly. These conditions can be serious or even life-threatening if left untreated.
Urinating can be difficult, painful or impossible for cats suffering from FLUTD. They may also urinate more frequently, or in inappropriate areas outside their litter box .
Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections In Cats
One important part of treating a UTI is increasing your cats water intake. For general cases of FLUTD, treatment will vary based on the cause of the infection.
Urolithiasis
Surgery is sometimes required to remove stones from the bladder. A change in diet may help dissolve certain types of bladder stones. If this is possible, your vet will prescribe a special diet that will help break up the stones and keep them from coming back.
Urethral Plugs
Urethral plugs must be removed right away, as they can cause kidney failure in as little as 2-3 days. In this case, your cat will be administered anesthetic and the vet will remove the blockage. Because your cat will have a urinary catheter after this procedure, your cat will be kept overnight or even for a few days. Your vet may prescribe painkillers and a special diet to help prevent blockages from coming back.
Bacterial Infection
This type of infection, typically clears up easily with the use of antibiotics. The vet will determine which type of drug to prescribe based on the type of bacteria present in the urine.
Neoplasia
Unfortunately, by the time symptoms start to appear, neoplasia will likely already be at an advanced stage, making removal of the tumor impossible. Fortunately, though, this disease is quite rare in cats, and usually affects older cats. Chemotherapy treatment might help manage the tumors size. Your vet may also prescribe NSAID pain relievers, which can reduce tumor inflammation.
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When To Use Antibiotics For Cats
You must give your cat antibiotics if your cat has a bacterial infection. The exact location of the infection does not matter, and involved tissues do not matter.
Antibiotics are used for something as simple as an eye infection or as complicated as a bone infection. Differences in treatment include antibiotic type, duration of treatment, and mode of administration .
Management Of Patients After Urinary Catheter Removal
Culture of the catheter tip at the time of catheter removal is not recommended. Colonisation of catheter tips is common and catheter tip culture results are not predictive of development of cystitis. Routine urine culture after catheter removal is not recommended however, if specific aspects about the case indicate a need for culture, cystocentesis should be performed, whenever possible. If clinical signs of cystitis develop after catheter removal, diagnosis should be performed as per Sporadic bacterial cystitis .
There is no indication for routine antimicrobial treatment following urinary catheter removal in an animal with no evidence of cystitis.
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Use Of Antibiotics For Treating Utis In Dogs And Cats
JD Foster
VMD, DACVIM
Dr. Foster is an internist and Director of the Extracorporeal Therapies Service at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C. He has lectured around the world on various renal and urinary diseases and authored numerous manuscripts and book chapters on these topics. He is the current president of the American Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology.
Urinary tract infections are common in small animal practice it has been reported that up to 27% of dogs will develop infection at some time in their lives.1
Most UTIs are successfully treated with commonly used drugs, dosages, and administration intervals. However, infections can be challenging to effectively treat when they involve the kidneys and prostate . In addition, it can be difficult to create an appropriate antibiotic prescription in patients with kidney disease due to reduced drug clearance.
Understanding drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is essential when determining the most effective antibiotic therapy. In addition, successful antimicrobial therapy requires appropriate choice of antibiotic, including dose, frequency, and duration .
Figure 1
