A urinary tract infection (UTI) can be a very uncomfortable thing for a kitten. The kitten may feel the need to urinate frequently, may find himself in trouble for urinating outside of his litter box, and may even wind up with a more serious medical condition caused by the initial urinary tract infection. If caught in its early stages, a UTI can be treated relatively easily, which will result in a happier kitten and a happier owner.
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What Is A UTI?
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The feline urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters (which carry urine to the bladder), bladder and urethra (which conducts urine out of the body). Most often, the term UTI refers to a bladder infection. The bladder is sterile, meaning bacteria normally do not live there. If bacteria get into the bladder, they grow and cause infection. It is important to treat a UTI to prevent it from developing into a more serious problem (such as urethra blockages).
Symptoms
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Symptoms of a UTI in your kitten can include excessive consumption of water, painful abdomen and loss of weight or appetite. The kitten may make frequent trips to the litter box, where he may produce little or no urine. His urine may change in color or contain some blood, and his urine may change in odor. While in the litter box, the kitten may cry, hiss or growl. He may even begin to urinate outside of his litter box, as he may associate his litter box with the pain and discomfort he experiences while using it.
Diagnosis
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Your veterinarian will collect a urine sample from your kitten; either from the exam table where the kitten was examined, catching a sample of urine as the kitten passes it, or by cystocentesis (a procedure where a needle is inserted directly into the bladder to obtain a urine sample). The veterinarian will run tests on the urine sample to check for bacteria and excessive white blood cells or protein in the urine, which are signs of infection.
Treatment
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To treat a feline UTI, the veterinarian will most likely prescribe 10 to 14 days of antibiotics. While the kitten's symptoms usually clear up within a few days of treatment, be sure to run the entire course of the antibiotics. Occasionally, the antibiotics will not agree with the kitten's stomach, and if he vomits the medication, notify your veterinarian and he may be able to prescribe another course of treatment.
Prevention
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Feed your kitten a high-quality diet. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a specific diet for your kitten as he grows. Feeding moist food rather than dry will help your kitten get the water he needs each day. Provide an adequate number of litter boxes (rule of thumb is one litter box per cat in the household), and keep the litter boxes clean. Monitor litter box habits so you are aware of any changes in behavior and will be ready if problems arise. Finally, provide plenty of clean, fresh water each day for your kitten to drink.
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