Urinary tract infection in cats, also known as urinary tract obstruction, is a more common problem than you think. It is a disease that usually happens due to the low water intake of these animals, but it can also be linked to other factors, ranging from bacterial to fungal causes. To understand a little more about this condition, we talked to veterinarian IzadoraSouza, from Rio de Janeiro, who clarified some information about the disease. See what she said about urinary infection in cats below!

Urinary infection in cats: what it is and the main symptoms of the disease

According to Izadora, urinary tract infection in cats is a disease that arises due to a microorganism - usually a bacterium - that develops in the urinary tract of these animals. "The most common cause of urinary tract infection in cats is bacterial, but it is not the only one. In rarer cases, other microorganisms may be involved, such as fungi, for example. It is important to determine the cause.cause to conduct the treatment properly," he explains.

The symptoms of the disease are very similar to what happens to humans. Here are some signs that your pet may have a urinary tract infection:

- Increased urinary frequency with decreased volume

- Pain during urination

- Urinating in strange places

- Presence of blood in urine

- Change in urine color, odor and texture (in more advanced cases)

The perception of the guardian is very important at this time. Have you noticed that your cat has one or more of these symptoms? Take some time to take him to the vet. Only then will it be possible to be sure of what is happening to the animal's health and then start the most appropriate treatment.

Understand the importance of diagnosing urinary tract infection in cats and how it is done

According to Izadora, cats often suffer a lot from two very similar diseases, which is non-infectious cystitis and urinary infection. Although they have similar symptoms, the treatments are different for each condition and, therefore, it is up to the veterinarian to distinguish these diseases.

In addition, it is worth remembering that urinary infection can be caused by different factors (such as bacteria and fungi), and this can also influence when determining the drug to treat urinary infection in cats. Thus, the correct diagnosis of the disease is essential for the treatment to be successful. "The diagnosis is made by the animal's history and clinical examination, addedcomplementary blood, urine and imaging tests", explains the veterinarian.

Remedy for urinary infection in cats must be indicated by a veterinarian

If your kitten has a urinary tract infection, medication can be a good alternative to treat the disease. However, we must not forget that, as the cause may vary, the type of medication also varies. The antibiotic for urinary tract infection in cats, for example, can work perfectly if the cause is bacterial. But still, it is often necessary to identify which bacterium it isIf the cause is different, the remedy for urinary infection in cats must also be distinct and according to the origin of the problem. "Medication at home is highly inadvisable, not only because of the probable ineffectiveness (only the veterinarian will be able to determine if the animal has a urinary infection and of what type) but also because of thelack of knowledge on doses, treatment time and toxicity of the product for a given species", warns Izadora.

Learn how to prevent urinary tract infection in cats!

Fortunately, there are a few ways to prevent urinary tract infection in cats. The first of these is by avoiding stress in felines. "Cats are animals that get stressed by changes in routine and the addition of new animals to the group. Although they are great at disguising it, immunity gets very low and makes cats susceptible to diseases," explains Izadora. Also, another important factor in preventionA good way to prevent urinary tract infection is to encourage water intake, which can be done by investing in water fountains for cats or scattering water bowls around the house.

Last but not least, the veterinarian points out that cats need to be free to use the bathroom whenever they need to. "Always clean litter box, in adequate quantities for the number of cats, in easily accessible places and do not allow other cats to intimidate colleagues when it comes to peeing", she advises.