Chronic Urinary Infection in Cats

Cats commonly acquire urinary tract infections throughout their lifetime, mainly affecting the bladder and the urethra, the tube that carries urine to the outside of the body.

  1. Signs

    • Signs of urinary tract infections include bloody urine, urination in places outside the litter box, difficulty urinating and bladder stones.

    Causes

    • Even though the symptoms of urinary tract infection are primarily universal across the species, the condition can be contracted from a variety of sources. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections, along with urethral plugs and some cancers, all have been known to contribute to the condition.

    Home Treatment

    • Most infections can be treated at home, depending on the condition of the cat. Veterinarians usually prescribe medication and/or a special diet to aid in the treatment of the infection.

    Urethral Obstruction

    • In the event that the urethra is blocked, other measures for treatment are necessary, because improper care can be fatal. Male cats are more prone to get a blockage of the urethra because their urethra is longer and narrower.

    Surgery

    • Cats that do not respond to proper medications for the treatment of urethral obstruction might need surgery to remove the obstruction.