Felines and Bladder Infections
Felines and bladder infections go together like peas and carrots.
While I wish this weren't the case it is and my cats certainly have had their share of these types of infections.
But in most instances early recognition is the key to successful treatment.
In fact, one study found that if bacteria is allowed to linger for a long enough period of time it can embed itself so deeply in the bladder and lining of the urinary tract that conventional cultures and urine analysis tests will not be able to identify it.
Felines and bladder infections - What is the cause? The most common cause is an opportunistic bacteria known as escherichia coli which gains access to the urinary tract, and ultimately the bladder, through the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).
Research suggests that a pet may have had numerous encounters with this bacteria prior to the being infected.
In the prior encounters your pets immune system, combined with healthy urination, was able fight off the infection before any symptoms were seen.
At some point though the balance shifted in favor of the bacteria, causing the infection.
There are a number of reasons this can happen with the most common being immune system weakness brought about by aging.
Other potential causes include stress, bladder dysfunction, pooling of urine in the bladder, uroliths causing urine backup, inactivity, unsanitary litter boxes, dehydration, diabetes, immune system damaging diseases, and maybe even an imbalance in ph levels.
As you can see the list is quite long and often times two or more of these factors are at work simultaneously giving the bacteria a chance to take hold.
Once comfortably settled in the bladder escherichia coli can multiply rapidly making it difficult to get rid of, and opening the door for other more serious conditions (pyelonephritis).
Felines and bladder infections - Symptoms The symptoms are often relatively easy to spot with the first being a change in urination habits.
This would include urinating in inappropriate places, trying to urinate but only producing small amounts of urine with each try, terrible urine odor, fever, fatigue, lethargy, blood in the urine, incontinence, and the abdominal area becoming tender to the touch.
Felines and bladder infections - Diagnosis and Treatment To confirm the condition your vet will likely need to run a urine analysis and culture.
Once confirmed the appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed along with the scheduling of a follow up visit in a week or so to evaluate and hopefully confirm the eradication of the bacterial infection.
Feline and bladder infections - What about home remedies? Home remedies can be quite effective in mild cases, but must be monitored closely.
There are a few steps to successfully treating this type of infection at home.
First, you should eliminate any stress in your pets life; second provide them with plenty of clean fresh water; third add either blueberry or cranberry juice to their water; fourth substitute wet food for dried food; fifth keep litter boxes very clean; sixth trim any excess hair away from the anal area; seventh add extra litter boxes; eight give them a bath if possible; and ninth implement a homeopathic pet supplement containing berberis and cantharis.
While I wish this weren't the case it is and my cats certainly have had their share of these types of infections.
But in most instances early recognition is the key to successful treatment.
In fact, one study found that if bacteria is allowed to linger for a long enough period of time it can embed itself so deeply in the bladder and lining of the urinary tract that conventional cultures and urine analysis tests will not be able to identify it.
Felines and bladder infections - What is the cause? The most common cause is an opportunistic bacteria known as escherichia coli which gains access to the urinary tract, and ultimately the bladder, through the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).
Research suggests that a pet may have had numerous encounters with this bacteria prior to the being infected.
In the prior encounters your pets immune system, combined with healthy urination, was able fight off the infection before any symptoms were seen.
At some point though the balance shifted in favor of the bacteria, causing the infection.
There are a number of reasons this can happen with the most common being immune system weakness brought about by aging.
Other potential causes include stress, bladder dysfunction, pooling of urine in the bladder, uroliths causing urine backup, inactivity, unsanitary litter boxes, dehydration, diabetes, immune system damaging diseases, and maybe even an imbalance in ph levels.
As you can see the list is quite long and often times two or more of these factors are at work simultaneously giving the bacteria a chance to take hold.
Once comfortably settled in the bladder escherichia coli can multiply rapidly making it difficult to get rid of, and opening the door for other more serious conditions (pyelonephritis).
Felines and bladder infections - Symptoms The symptoms are often relatively easy to spot with the first being a change in urination habits.
This would include urinating in inappropriate places, trying to urinate but only producing small amounts of urine with each try, terrible urine odor, fever, fatigue, lethargy, blood in the urine, incontinence, and the abdominal area becoming tender to the touch.
Felines and bladder infections - Diagnosis and Treatment To confirm the condition your vet will likely need to run a urine analysis and culture.
Once confirmed the appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed along with the scheduling of a follow up visit in a week or so to evaluate and hopefully confirm the eradication of the bacterial infection.
Feline and bladder infections - What about home remedies? Home remedies can be quite effective in mild cases, but must be monitored closely.
There are a few steps to successfully treating this type of infection at home.
First, you should eliminate any stress in your pets life; second provide them with plenty of clean fresh water; third add either blueberry or cranberry juice to their water; fourth substitute wet food for dried food; fifth keep litter boxes very clean; sixth trim any excess hair away from the anal area; seventh add extra litter boxes; eight give them a bath if possible; and ninth implement a homeopathic pet supplement containing berberis and cantharis.
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