CATS AND UTI: "CATS AND UTI

UTI, known as Urinary Tract Infection, is a very uncomfortable problem, not only for us humans but for your pet also, especially cats. UTI can sometimes be accompanied by bladder stones, which can both initiate and promote infection in the bladder.

Whilst dogs can get urinary tract infections, cats are much more susceptible. Female cats are also more susceptible than their male counterparts. This may be because the urethra (opening from the bladder to the outside world) is very short in female cats and, it is close to the rectum, where a large amount of bacteria can be present. In addition, cats do more grooming than dogs, which can spread the bacteria.

Dogs tend to be housebroken and because they go outside, there is more opportunity for an owner to notice when there could be a problem. The pet owner may notice straining or blood in the urine sooner. Infections can often go unnoticed in cats because the pet owner may not see the cat using the litter box. Often, cat owners don't notice that there is a problem until their pet stops using their box. Whilst some cats may stop using their litter box for behavioral reasons, it is important to rule out any medical problems before assuming that the cause could be behavioral.

Since urinary tract infections can be caused by a multitude of factors, it is often difficult to discover the cause. The origin of an infection could be as simple as an overgrowth of bacteria or as complicated as bladder stones. The formation of a bladder stone is very much like the formation of a pearl inside an oyster. It often forms from a single irritating particle called a nidus, which consists of tiny particles such as small bacteria. Minerals are then deposited onto its surface, and over time it grows larger and can become very irritating to the lining of the bladder.

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