Many cat-owners have lost a cat due to urinary cat
infection. Feline lower urinary tract disease, commonly known as feline
urologic syndrome, is considered to affect just less than 3 per cent of the
entire cat population worldwide. It may not be an alarming statistic; but this
has created a big concern for those cats who contracted this disease. Infection
with the feline urinary tract not only carries with it several cat urinary
issues but also severe and life-threatening threats.
Cat urinary infection may affect both male and female feline specie. Still, males are more vulnerable to blockage of the urinary tract, a condition that needs urgent care because it may take the pet’s life within 72 hours if ignored. On the other hand, female cats are more likely to suffer from infection with the feline urinary tract as they have a large urethra, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
Several factors may result in urinary tract infection. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, urinary stones such as struvite and calcium oxalate, and urethral obstruction are some of those causes. It can also be caused by a disease called uterine feline disorder, a condition often seen in unspayed or partially spayed female cats and middle-aged cats. For some instances, following attempts to ascertain it, the cause behind a cat’s signs of a urinary infection may not be understood. In this situation, the veterinarian may diagnose the animal suffering from idiopathic feline lower urinary tract disorder (IFLUTD), a term used to denote a condition in which signs of urinary infection could be found but whose trigger could not be identified.
Cats with IFLUTD can live longer even without medical attention. Additionally, the symptoms may disappear within a few weeks, regardless of treatment. Hence, veterinarians may not be so worried about IFLUTD-stricken felines. Typically, the doctor can recommend only a specific diet that could help avoid the IFLUTD symptoms from returning.
However, veterinarians typically placed the animal under a series of tests in cases of urinary issues in pets caused by bacteria, stones or urethral obstruction to assess the appropriate treatment. The veterinarian will have to perform necessary medical procedures such as surgery, particularly for urethral obstruction to get rid of the blockage and save the pet’s life. The veterinarian would possibly prescribe antibiotics in case of infection to help suppress the development of the infection.
Urinary infection in felines may have several causes, but all infected cats have the same symptoms. Cats with this disease typically struggle to urinate, have blood in the urine, have foul-smelling urine, often lick their genitals, display discomfort when urinating, and produce only small urine trickles or do not urinate at all. Medical care must be given immediately to a cat with these signs because this can mean life and death for it. If left untreated, the feline urinary infection can be curative but highly fatal. Cat owners should also be aware of the signs and be willing to carry their pet to a veterinarian for appropriate treatment.
Some veterinarians prefer to find cat bladder surgery as a last resort. For cats, bladder infections are often treated with antibiotic medications and dietary changes. Nonetheless, in the case of an emergency, surgery may be the vet’s only option to save the life of the injured animal.
A vet suggests operation for issues with cat bladders only in case of an emergency. The urethral obstruction, for example, is a medical emergency that needs urgent treatment. This is a disorder in which the infected cat can not pass out urine because its urethra is blocked partially or in full. This is a life-threatening disorder that can prevent operation of the kidneys. The infected cat would die within a day or two if left untreated.
When bladder stones block the urethra, an incision is made through the abdomen, the bladder is opened, and the stones are removed. These days, this form of cat bladder surgery has become relatively healthy, and there are no significant risks involved. The vet typically recommends dietary modifications and medications to prevent chronic bladder issues. A diet that includes nutritious kibble and plenty of raw meat and vegetables is commonly regarded as very safe for cats.
If, after having proper medical attention, the cat
continues to suffer from bladder problems, the vet may recommend what they call
a perineal urethrostomy (PU).
Male cats are typically susceptible to issues such as the narrowness of their urethra compared to female cats’ urethra. Therefore, the vet surgically removes the small urethra section and the affected cat’s penis. He leaves then a bigger space for urination. That significantly decreases the chance of urethral obstructions. This form of surgery is very unusual for cat bladder issues and is only recommended by the vets when there is no other alternative as said earlier.
The operation itself, of course, has its risks
like bleeding and incontinence. Besides, perineal urethrostomy includes the
removal of the penis and a new opening which essentially makes a male cat a
female cat, which is why vets only recommend a cat bladder operation if they
are confident that no other procedure will save the life of the infected
animal.
Mind you; your cat will not establish overnight urethral obstruction or any other fatal condition for that matter. The urethral obstruction is caused by complications such as infection with the bladder, thickening of the bladder and stones of the bladder.
Unless your cat’s bladder thickens, it won’t be able
to drain its bladder fully. It could lead to infection with the bacteria. This
could lead to bladder stones if it is not treated immediately. When not treated
promptly, the stones may be trapped and obstructed in the urethra. Surgery for
cat bladder problems becomes unavoidable at this point. And, when left
untreated for a long time, a minor bladder problem may lead to some severe
issues and eventually become a life-threatening disease.
Ways to Help Your Cat Overcome Urinary Tract
Blockage
1. Like for other felines lower urinary conditions, if not treated immediately, a blockage of the urinary tract may be deadly. You should take your cat to a clinic and get a correct diagnosis first. Calcium oxalate crystals, or calcium oxalate stones are also the source of the blockage.
These issues can be effectively treated with a healthy diet and homoeopathy in cat urinary health. Your doctor may want to prescribe medications to fix the problem. When it is severe, drugs may be beneficial, but due to their dangerous side effects, they should be considered a last resort.
2. The next step you should take when you find a blockage in your cat’s urinary tract is to give your cat a balanced diet consisting of fresh, unprocessed foods or home-cooked foods. Stop feeding commercial cat food to your cat grainy, which can aggravate blockages in the urinary tract. Cat food cooked at home is also advantageous as it has no harmful preservatives and colouring agents. Artificial additives in commercial cat foods can cause urinary tract disease and urethral obstruction with the accumulation of calcium oxalate.
3. Oxalate crystals are most likely causing tract blockage in your pet. Ensure your cat has access to plenty of new, clean water to avoid potential blockages and clear the existing one. Sufficient intake of fresh, filtered water may prevent struvite crystals from forming and obstruction of the urine. Filtered water is vital for your cat’s urinary health, as it helps detoxify and flush out harmful bacteria.
4. Whether bacterial infection of the urinary
tract or bladder stones is the cause of your cat ‘s problems, it’s crucial to
help him achieve permanent recovery and optimal urinary health. Giving your cat
medications that ease the symptoms, but it will not help your cat get rid of
the problem once and for all.
To avoid blockage of the cat’s urinary tract, you
must give your cat a homoeopathic remedy. Homoeopathy can help cats of any age
because it is highly efficient and 100 per cent safe. It soothes and protects
the urinary tract, facilitates a balanced urine flow, regulates the urine pH
level of your cat, encourages healthy functioning of the bladder, and improves
the immune system of your cat.
5. As well as ensuring that your cat has a balanced diet and supplying it with a homoeopathic remedy, it is vital to ensure that stressors are removed from the life of your cat. Stress may intensify the symptoms of the urinary problems in your cat. A crystal can block the urethra of your cat, but even removing it does not automatically prevent it from returning if the levels of stress continue to threaten the health of the cat.
Remove the tension that initially caused the crystal to get there. Your doctor may be able to extract the stone or crystals that cause the blockage, but he can not prevent the recurrence of the disease. Your role as a pet owner is to ensure that your feline has a stress-free life by giving your cat a personal space, spending quality time with her, playing games with her and avoiding, the use of strong perfumes to mention few.