Feline Urinary Infection Treatment

An untreated feline urinary tract infection is capable of progressing all the way up to the kidneys and causing severe kidney damage. It is vital to treat your cat's urinary tract infection at the first symptoms; what may start as a relatively easy infection to cure can quickly turn into a life-threatening illness for your cat. A feline urinary tract infection is also incredibly painful for your cat, and immediate treatment will help ease the hurting and discomfort.

  1. Function

    • Your cat's urinary tract system is a delicate piece of machinery that can easily be infiltrated by infection-causing bacteria. Two common strains of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections are Staphylococcus and E. Coli. The bacteria reproduce quickly once they have established residency in your cat's urinary tract and eventually block the urethra, the tiny tube that expels urine from the bladder. Once blocked, the bacteria are left in the bladder and infection ensues, explains the Vetinfo website.

    Medication

    • Destroying the bacteria is the first order of business in treating your cat's urinary tract infection, and this is normally done with antibiotics. The prescribed medication ranges in strength and duration, depending on how serious the infection is and the strain of bacteria that is the underlying cause. In some cases, a simple penicillin derivative will suffice. If penicillin-resistant bacteria are present, a cephalosporin antibiotic may be in order.

    Side Effects

    • Your cat might experience common sides effects of "nausea, diarrhea, fungal infections [and] abdominal pain," when taking the antibiotics, according to Vetinfo. The website also warns that more serious side effects include difficulty breathing, facial swelling, hives, seizures and bleeding. Your cat should never be given more medication than the dosage amount prescribed as it may suffer muscle spasms and coma.

    Considerations

    • The side effects are worth the risk, however, when you consider the damage a feline urinary tract infection can do. Complications associated with urinary tract infections include bladder and kidney stone formation. These stones generally form from mineral deposits, because your cat's urine's pH level is not balanced and lacks the acid to dissolve them. These stones can build up and completely block the urethra. The consequences of blockage might be fatal, and in serious cases the stones will need to be removed surgically.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Prevention is the best medicine. The key in preventing urinary tract infections is proper diet, and Lisa A. Pierson, DVM at Catinfo.org, states commercially processed cat foods, especially dry varieties, cause urinary tract infections and stone formation. Most of these foods dehydrate your cat and destroy the urine's pH balance, damaging kidney function and depleting potassium levels. Pierson recommends a wet food diet only, preferably raw, which is unprocessed and grain-free. Always make sure your cats also have plenty of fresh, clean water to drink at all times.