What is a UTI in Cats?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, including the bladder and urethra (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/urinary-tract-infections-utis-in-cats). UTI occurs when bacteria, usually E. coli, enter the urethra and travel up to the bladder, causing inflammation and infection (https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/cat-urinary-tract-problems).
Some common causes and risk factors for UTIs in cats include:
- Bladder stones or crystals
- Bladder or kidney disease
- Blockages like tumors or strictures
- Dysfunctional or inflamed urethra
- Weakened immune system
- Stress
- Poor diet
Symptoms of a UTI in cats may include (https://www.guilfordjamestownvet.com/site/blog-greensboro-vet/2021/05/31/cat-urinary-tract-infection):
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty or pain while urinating
- Crying out while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Excessive licking of the urinary opening
- Urinating outside the litter box
Signs Your Cat May Have a UTI
There are several common signs that may indicate your cat has a urinary tract infection (UTI). One of the most obvious is increased urination. Cats with UTIs will often try to urinate more frequently and pass only small amounts of urine each time (VCA Animal Hospitals).
You may also notice your cat straining to urinate, which is a sign they are having difficulty or discomfort when trying to go. Straining is accompanied by crying out or whining during urination in some cases (Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital).
Another potential UTI symptom is blood in your cat’s urine, which can range from a pink tinge to red. This occurs when the infection causes inflammation and irritation in the urinary tract (WebMD).
Increased licking of the genital area is also common with UTIs, as your cat attempts to soothe the pain and discomfort they are experiencing (WebMD).
Why UTIs Cause Pain in Cats
UTIs can be very painful for cats because the infection causes inflammation and irritation of the urinary tract. This inflammation stimulates nerves in the bladder and urethra, leading to a burning sensation when urinating. The irritation also stimulates the bladder to contract forcefully, producing a pressure or cramping feeling inside the bladder.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the irritated urinary tract can make cats feel like they urgently need to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full. They may pass only small amounts of urine each time and still feel the need to urinate again shortly after (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/urinary-tract-infections-utis-in-cats). The constant urge to urinate combined with painful urination causes cats to cry or whine when going to the litter box.
In severe cases, the irritation and inflammation may even cause bloody urine. Blood in the urine is a sign of damage to the urinary tract lining. Cats with bloody urine will likely feel burning during urination and discomfort even when not urinating.
When to See the Vet
If your cat is exhibiting signs of a possible UTI, it’s important to have them seen by a veterinarian, especially if symptoms last more than 24 hours. Some key signs that warrant a prompt vet visit include:
- Straining or crying out when urinating
- Frequent attempts to urinate with little production
- Blood in the urine
- Inability to urinate
- Licking around the urinary opening
You should also seek veterinary care right away if your cat stops eating, becomes lethargic or weak, or develops a fever along with UTI symptoms. A fever can be a sign of a kidney or bladder infection, which requires rapid treatment. Your vet will perform a urinalysis and urine culture to diagnose a UTI and determine the right course of antibiotic treatment.
Left untreated, UTIs can quickly progress to more serious kidney infections or even kidney failure. So it’s crucial not to delay and to have your vet examine your cat promptly if a UTI is suspected. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome will be for your cat’s comfort and health.
Diagnosing a UTI
If a cat is suspected of having a UTI, the vet will start by performing a physical exam and obtaining a medical history. They will look for signs of pain or discomfort when palpating the abdomen. The vet will also ask questions about the cat’s symptoms and when they started.
The next step is to collect a urine sample for analysis. This is called a urinalysis and it allows the vet to check for signs of infection such as increased white blood cells, bacteria, and crystal formation. Any abnormalities in the urine can help diagnose a UTI.1
If the urinalysis confirms an infection, the vet may recommend a urine culture to identify the specific bacteria causing the UTI. This helps determine which antibiotic will be most effective for treatment.2 The urine sample for the culture must be collected in a sterile manner to avoid contamination.
Treating a UTI
Treatment for a UTI in cats usually involves a combination of antibiotics, pain medication, increased fluids, and a special diet. Some common treatments include:
- Antibiotics: Vets often prescribe antibiotics like amoxicillin or orbifloxacin to kill the bacteria causing the infection and provide relief (source). Antibiotics may be given orally or by injection depending on the severity.
- Pain medication: Since UTIs can cause discomfort during urination, vets may prescribe pain medicines like buprenorphine or meloxicam (Metacam®) to relieve symptoms (source).
- Increased fluids: Encouraging the cat to drink more water or giving subcutaneous fluids can help flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.
- Special diet: Prescription urinary or kidney diets that are low in magnesium and promote dilute urine may help manage UTIs.
If an underlying condition like kidney stones or an anatomical defect is causing recurrent UTIs, additional treatment may be needed to prevent future infections.
Home Care for a Cat with a UTI
There are several things you can do at home to help care for your cat and relieve symptoms if they have a UTI:
Extra hydration is crucial for flushing bacteria out of the urinary tract. Make sure fresh, clean water is always available and consider adding some low-sodium broth or tuna juice to encourage drinking. Feed canned/wet food instead of dry and add extra water to make a soup or gravy.
Maintain excellent litter box hygiene by scooping waste at least twice daily and changing the litter completely every 1-2 weeks. Consider adding an extra box so your cat has options. Clean litter boxes with a mild soap and hot water weekly.
Reducing stress can help strengthen the immune system to fight infection. Give your cat affection, keep their routine consistent, and avoid changes to their environment. Provide cozy beds in quiet areas for rest.
Nutritional support can help too. Feed high quality protein sources and consider supplements like cranberry or D-mannose. Vitamin C may help acidify urine while probiotics support healthy urinary tract flora. Consult your vet on appropriate supplements.
Home care alongside veterinary prescribed medication is key for helping cats recover from UTIs. Monitor your cat closely and follow up with your vet if symptoms persist or worsen.
Preventing UTIs in Cats
There are several steps cat owners can take to help prevent painful UTIs in their feline companions, including:
Increased water intake – Making sure your cat has access to fresh, clean water at all times is crucial. Consider getting a cat fountain, which many cats prefer over stagnant water. You can also add more water bowls around the house. Feed wet cat food, which has high water content. Discuss supplementing with cat broths or low-sodium bouillon with your vet.
Urinary health cat food – There are specialty cat foods made to promote urinary tract health. These foods often have reduced magnesium and increased water content. Talk to your vet about switching to one of these diets.
Regular vet checkups – Annual checkups allow your vet to monitor for early signs of UTIs and other urinary problems. Senior cats may need biannual checkups.
Proper hygiene – Keep your cat’s litter box clean and scoop waste daily. Wash food and water bowls regularly with soap and hot water.
Discuss supplements or probiotics with your vet that may help reduce UTIs. D-mannose is one supplement sometimes recommended.
With preventative care, you can help reduce the chances your cat will suffer from a painful UTI.
Source: https://bondvet.com/b/uti-in-cats-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment-and-prevention
When to Seek Emergency Care
A urinary tract infection can quickly become a serious medical emergency for cats. You should seek emergency veterinary treatment if your cat shows any of these symptoms:
- Unproductive straining to urinate (source)
- Complete inability to urinate (source)
- Vomiting (source)
- Lethargy or weakness (source)
- Fever over 103°F (source)
These symptoms indicate the UTI may be progressing to a dangerous blockage of the urinary tract, a potentially life-threatening condition. Immediate veterinary care is needed to relieve the blockage and prevent lasting damage to the urinary tract.
Outlook for Cats with UTIs
The outlook for cats with UTIs is generally good if treatment is started promptly.[1] With appropriate antibiotic therapy prescribed by a veterinarian, most uncomplicated UTIs can be fully resolved within 1-2 weeks.[2] While some cats may only experience one isolated UTI in their lifetime, recurrence is not uncommon.[3] Therefore, cat owners should monitor for signs of another UTI after finishing a course of antibiotics.
For recurrent UTIs, vets may recommend additional diagnostic tests to look for an underlying cause. This includes imaging of the urinary tract or urine cultures to identify the specific bacteria involved. Long term use of antibiotics is usually not recommended due to potential side effects and antibiotic resistance.[2] Instead, addressing risk factors such as diet, hydration, and litter box hygiene can help prevent repeat infections.[1]
Chronic or persistent UTIs in cats are less common but can occur. These may be associated with bladder stones, anatomical defects, or illnesses that compromise the immune system. Working closely with a vet is important to manage difficult-to-treat UTIs in cats. In most cases though, UTIs are very treatable if caught early, and most cats can go on to live long and healthy lives afterwards.[3]
[1] https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/urinary-tract-infections-utis-in-cats [2] https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/cat-urinary-tract-problems
[3] https://bondvet.com/b/uti-in-cats-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment-and-prevention