Kidney infections in cats should not be ignored, since they might lead to further complications such a kidney failure or even heart disease. Whenever you notice abnormal behavior such as urinating more often and in unusual places, pain when urinating, abnormal color and smell of the urine, changes in mood or other related symptoms, it's best to make an appointment with your veterinarian and start treating the pet.
Causes of Kidney Infections in Cats
Kidney infections in cats are caused by bacterial pathogens present in your pet's urinary tract. When bacteria multiply, they will provoke painful infections. The most common cause of kidney infections is cystitis, a bladder infection.
Symptoms of Kidney Infections
Cats suffering from urinary infections usually present a combination of several or all of the following symptoms:
- Frequent urinating in small amounts
- Painful urination
- Unusual urine color and smell
- Blood in urine
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Frequent licking of genital area
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Frequent change of moods or depression
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Dehydration
It is crucial that the disease is diagnosed in an early stage, so contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice the first symptoms. Cats are very sensitive when it comes to kidney conditions, and a serious kidney disease can be fatal.
Diagnosis of Kidney Infections
The correct diagnosis of kidney infections is usually done by analyzing urine and blood samples. The blood sample is tested to measure the levels of urea, creatinine and phosphate. The urine sample is used to determine the seriousness of the infection and the bacteria which causes it. It is recommended to repeat these tests several times a year in order to monitor your pet's health.
Treatment of Kidney Infections
Treatment for kidney infections generally consists of:
- Medication
- Homeopathic remedies
- High liquid intake
- Diet restrictions
The veterinarian usually prescribes antibiotics to deal with the bacteria that cause the infection. Besides medicine, when a cat is confronted with a kidney infection he should have fresh water to drink all the time and respect a few dietary restrictions. In all kidney diseases it is recommended that cats are fed wet food. It is also important to give your cat special attention and remove stress factors from his surroundings.
There are also some homeopathic natural remedies. For instance, tonics made of Uva Ursi (bearberry) are considered to have strong antibacterial properties and diuretic effects, so they might be used in kidney infections.
Prevention of Kidney Infections
In order to prevent future kidney problems, it is important to monitor your pet. You should have the cat checked regularly by a veterinarian, and between these routine visits, you can also buy tests which you can use at home. Constant monitoring and checking for bacterial infections can help you detect any problem in an early stage, and this makes treatment easier.