Cat Health: Urinary Tract
Your cat's urinary system plays an important role in his health. This system includes the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters. With cat health, urinary tract issues can include everything from a urinary tract or bladder infection to kidney failure.
When your cat develops a urinary tract infection, he will strain when he tries to urinate, go to the litter box frequently, urinate in places outside the litter box, fever, low energy, and have blood in the urine. If you notice these symptoms take him to the vet as soon as possible. Usually a course of antibiotics will adequately treat the infection.
However, sometimes in a urinary tract infection, there are crystals in the urine. These are like tiny particles of sand and can irritate your cat's bladder. These can be very serious if the crystals turn into larger stones. These stones can create an obstruction in your cat's urethra, thus making it impossible for him to urinate. This is life-threatening and needs to be treated immediately.
Crystals may develop in the urine due to your cat's diet. Cat food that has high amounts of magnesium or phosphorous can be problematic. Also, the ph balance of your cat's urine may contribute to crystals forming. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your cat if crystals are developing. Often a change in diet will alleviate the problem.
The amount of water your cat consumes regularly can also affect the development of crystals. The more water your cat drinks, the less likely he is to develop crystals. Always be sure there is plenty of fresh water available to your cat.
Lower urinary tract diseases are not uncommon in cats. These affect the urethra and / or the bladder. Symptoms include straining when attempting to urinate, urinating away from the litter box, frequent licking of the genital area, and at times, blood in the urine.
The symptoms of diseases that affect your cat's lower urinary tract are very similar, but the causes can vary. The causes may include urethral obstructions, urinary stones, cancer, and infections. In over 50% of cases, the cause cannot be determined. When this happens, it is referred to as IFLUTD, which stands for
idiopathic feline lower urinary tract disease.
The prognosis is good for most cats that suffer from a lower urinary tract disorder, but some cats will have recurring episodes. The treatment depends on the cause and can vary depending on the cat's health and medical history.
When it comes to cat health, urinary tract can be very serious and should always be treated. It can be very painful for your cat, and if ignored, can be fatal. Regular visits to the vet, proper diet, providing plenty of clean, fresh water, and observing any changes in your cat's urinary habits and behavior in general are the best ways to detect and treat any problems early on.