Persistent Bladder Infections in Cats

A feline urinary tract infection, or UTI, is both uncomfortable and dangerous for a cat. A feline UTI sometimes becomes a lingering problem. Persistent feline UTI's require veterinary treatment to clear the infection up quickly and completely.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a persistent feline UTI include frequent pain when urinating (straining to urinate, failure to produce urine, hissing or growling when urinating). The urine often has a foul odor and may contain blood.

    Causes

    • Persistent feline UTI's are often the result of underlying conditions such as bladder crystals or stones. They are also caused when a cat fails to urinate often enough.

    Diagnosis

    • Your veterinarian performs a routine physical examination along with taking a medical history of your cat to diagnose this condition. Other tests, including urinalysis, X-rays and blood tests, may be performed.

    Treatment

    • Your veterinarian begins by treating any underlying conditions that cause the infections. Other treatment options include antibiotics, specialized diets and special cat litter.

    Warning

    • Untreated or improperly treated urinary tract infections may cause blockages in your cat's urethra. These blockages require surgery to correct and may even result in the death of your cat.