Identifying and Treating Cat Urinary Tract Infection
It can break a person's heart when a much loved pet is ill, or in pain. Every pet owner would love to never have to worry about the health of their little friend, but unfortunately that's not how things work. Cat urinary tract infection can seriously threaten the health and well being of you beloved cat, and cause no end of heartache and worry to you.
Although it is not the most common ailment in felines, as many as 10% of vet visits for cats are because of cat urinary tract infections. The biggest problem with feline UTI infection is that cats generally hide signs of discomfort and pain, and so, UTI is often not noticed or diagnosed at an early stage. The later it is left, the more problematic it can become.
If the infection is left untreated, it can lead to permanent kidney damage, cause complete obstruction of the urinary system, and can even turn fatal. The signs of cat urinary tract infection are not always very easily noticeable, and extra attention has to be paid to notice the subtle changes in behavior which are the warning signs.
Some of the signs of cat urinary tract infection can be urinating outside the litter box, in unusual places like floors, bathtubs or sinks. They may yowl or cry while trying to use the litter box and strain, or spend unusual amounts of time in the litter box. Frequency of urination would increase exponentially, and there may be blood in the urine. Licking constantly around the bladder area, especially in male cats, along with a redness or irritation in that area can also indicate UTI.
If you know or suspect that your pet is suffering from a cat urinary tract infection, consider treatment immediately. The best course of action is to confirm the presence of the infection through proper tests. As for treatment, there are a few options available, and one can pick the one that seems best under the circumstances. For example, if the infection is already far advanced, and severe, there may not be much choice in the course to be taken. In such cases, it is probably best to take the cat to a vet and have it put on strong antibiotics immediately.
However, in milder cases, the pet owner has a choice. You can choose to treat the infection with antibiotics, suppressing the symptoms, providing instant but often short term relief, in exchange for harmful drugs and side effects.
Alternatively, you can choose to use more natural and friendly methods of treatment. Natural and homeopathic remedies may take longer to take effect, when compared to strong western medicines, but they are much milder on the system, provide long term relief, treat the causes rather than just the symptoms, and prevent relapses.
Whichever path you choose to follow in the treatment of your furry friend, do not ignore the symptoms. Cat urinary tract infection can lead to a lot of complications, and result in a lot of pain for your beloved pet. Treat it early to gain peace of mind.
The 4 Steps to Building a Chicken Coop
By: Beth O'neil | 10/01/2010Do you know what these four important steps are? This article will give a complete understanding of what they are, and when you're completed you will be ready to take things to the next stage, getting the plans and breaking out the hammer and nails.
How To Care Your Cat
By: George Sandler | 10/01/2010Today cats are the most popular animals that you may have. It has several races, the most popular Persian and Siamese. Cats are domestic animals, their origin dating back some 8000 years and beyond. Like any other pet you may own, including cats, dogs cost money supply is sufficient.
How To Care Your Cat
By: George Sandler | 10/01/2010Today cats are the most popular animals that you may have. It has several races, the most popular Persian and Siamese. Cats are domestic animals, their origin dating back some 8000 years and beyond. Like any other pet you may own, including cats, dogs cost money supply is sufficient.
Is It A Pony Or Is It A Horse? Sorting Out The Difference
By: Crystal A. Eikanger | 10/01/2010Ponies are usually classified as equines that are shorter than 14.2 hands. However, some pony breeds may occasionally have individuals who are over 14.2 hands, but retain all the other characteristics of their breed. There are also some breeds that frequently have individuals who are over 14.2 hands due to...
Hot-Blooded Plus Cold-Blooded Equals The American Warmblood Sporthorse
By: Crystal A. Eikanger | 10/01/2010The American Warmblood, like many of the European Warmbloods, is generally thought to be any horse that fits into the warmblood type that is used primarily for jumping or dressage competition. It originated in the United States, and an American Warmblood must have been born in the United States, Canada,...
Miniature Horses: The Tiny Horse That Is Hugely Popular
By: Crystal A. Eikanger | 10/01/2010No bigger than a large dog, the American Miniature Horse is less then 34" tall at the withers and weighs between 150 to 250 pounds. This tiny equine is popular in many countries and is known by several names such as the American Miniature Horse, Miniature Toy Horse, Miniature Pony,...
Have Some High Times With the High Stepping Tennessee Walker
By: Crystal A. Eikanger | 10/01/2010In the early 1800s, Narragansett Pacers and Canadian Pacers were crossbred by breeders in the U.S. state of Tennessee while looking for a horse that could handle the hilly terrain of the area. Confederate Pacers and Union Trotters were added to the gene pool during the Civil War, creating the...
The Thoroughbred Horse: Thoroughly Bred For Distance Racing
By: Crystal A. Eikanger | 10/01/2010The Thoroughbred is also known as the Thoroughbred Racehorse even though that is not their only use. While they have historically been bred for racing, their 16 to 17.3 hand height and long legs allow them to excel at jumping and their graceful ways of moving helps the breed to...
Herbs Are Nature's Answer For Whatever Ails Your Dog
By: Ann Matthews | 01/09/2009 | PetsHerbal remedies for dogs are as old as nature itself. Ever since their original days in the wild, animals have had an instinctive inclination to find certain plants which can help restore health. Picking up on that knowledge, homeopaths have created a range of remedies for dogs which draw on the healing power of those same medicinal herbs. Now even house bound pets can benefit from nature's healing touch with daily supplements.
Good Health Starts With Natural Pet Supplements
By: Ann Matthews | 01/09/2009 | PetsNatural pet supplements are a relatively new development, but one which makes perfect sense and is quickly changing the way responsible owners care for their pets. Rather than trust standard foods and risk costly vet bills, you can keep your pet looking and feeling healthy by adding a simple daily supplement to its regular routine.
Keep Your Pet Healthy Naturally With Daily Supplements
By: Ann Matthews | 01/09/2009 | PetsPet health supplements are the newest innovation for assuring the health and long life of your four legged friends. Working on the same principal as human supplements, these nutritional aids give your pet the added boost needed to keep the body functioning at its best. As part of an overall healthy lifestyle, then can be an important tool for maintaining good health with the added benefit of not containing any synthetics or chemicals.
Natural Supplements Aren't Just for People Anymore
By: Ann Matthews | 01/09/2009 | PetsDog supplements may sound like an unusual idea, but if you think about it, it really does make sense. The same conditions that apply to human health also extend to that of our furry friends. They need to keep their entire body functioning properly in order to maintain health and that means getting the right combination of nutrients on a regular basis. What easier way to do so than through the use of an all natural daily supplement?
Antioxidants Keep Your Dog Healthy The Natural Way
By: Ann Matthews | 01/09/2009 | PetsAntioxidants for dogs are a fairly new subject, but one which makes perfect sense when it comes to maintaining your pet's overall health. We know that antioxidants can help to rid our own bodies of built up toxins, so it's not a stretch to assume they can do the same for dogs and cats. In fact, most animals that live outside come by natural antioxidants in their original setting every day. Now there's a way to help domestic animals get the same natural healing.
Things You Should Know Before Taking Depression Medication
By: Ann Matthews | 16/07/2009 | Mental HealthWith so many options today, it's hard to know which depression medication you should take. A few options you should look at as well as alternative treatments that may work are therapy, prescription drugs, and herbal remedies.
What Not to Do When Taking Herbal Remedies for Depression
By: Ann Matthews | 16/07/2009 | Mental HealthHerbal remedies for depression are becoming more common. With the side effects that can sometimes be felt by people who take pharmaceutical drugs to treat their symptoms, this is good news. Herbs have a lower instance of side effects and interactions. There are a few things to avoid however, and you should be careful of taking anything without consulting a licensed physician or herbalist.
Great Herbs For Depression
By: Ann Matthews | 16/07/2009 | Mental HealthIn recent years, the craze over natural and herbal remedies has increased. Today, a large number of people do not want to deal with the side effects and risks of taking traditional prescription drugs and are looking for the herbal equivalent.
About the Author:
If you want to make sure you are giving your pets the best health care available, please take time to read more about the many natural alternatives at my site: http://www.pet-natural-health.com BIO: Ann Matthews is a long time pet health enthusiast with Pet Alive who has a real passion for the well-being of all pets