You arrive at home exhausted after a full day, wash your face, and start dinner but instead of the appetizing aroma of dinner you smell the unpleasant stench of urine. After a quick search you notice a puddle in the hall and what seem to be pinkish urine stains on the carpet. Your cat has uncharacteristically failed to use the litter box once again. Could these be signs your cat has a bladder infection?
Having experienced this scenario above first hand I can tell you that the summary above is a pretty good indication that something is medically wrong, with one of the most likely possibilities being infection of the bladder.
According to the Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health "The signs your cat has a bladder infection include frequent urination, painful and difficult urination, and urinating in inappropriate places. There may also be blood in the urine. This may be more noticeable at the end of the urine stream. Rarely, cats with a bladder infection may show no signs at all."
While good information, most cat owners who have seen this condition up close and personal will tell you there likely will be quite a few other revealing signs as well.
Other signs that your cat has a bladder infection are: licking the genital area for relief, redness or rawness in the genital area, howling when urinating, scooting across the floor, fatigue, uncharacteristic hissing when touched in the hind quarter, and isolationism.
Another sign that often signals the presence of a bacterial bladder infection is excessive water drinking.
The cause
Bacteria which has gains access through the urethra and made it way up the urinary tract to the bladder where it is flourishing is the cause. This occurrence can be a byproduct of a weakened immune system, possibly due to age, or another disease or condition altogether. Examples of other diseases and conditions would be stones in urinary tract, urinary tract cancer, urinary tract trauma, diabetes, and diminishing kidney function. In other words anything that either impedes the flow of urine, weakens the immune system, or alters urine pH to a point where bacteria can flourish.
What next?
A veterinary visit will likely be in order, complete with a urine analysis and bacterial culture, to confirm your suspicions. Additional tests may be required as well to rule out stones or other possible causes. Once bacterial infection of the bladder is confirmed your veterinarian will likely treat the condition with a round of antibiotics.
My veterinarian normally prescribes either Clindamycin or Amoxicillin but yours may favor another antibiotic depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Additionally, bladder infections, especially in older cats, have a very high probability of becoming chronic, or recurring, especially when the infection is not treated successfully.
To avoid this many pet parents have chosen to add a homeopathic remedy containing such ingredients as Berberis, Cantharis, and Staphysagris combined with adequate exercise, easy access to a clean litter box, plenty of filtered water, and a high quality natural diet free additives. These types of treatments can be used in conjunction with conventional forms of treatment, as a standalone treatment in mild cases, or as a preventative measure to prevent infection down the road.
