Urinary infection in cats is a very common problem. The cat's bladder is one of the organs most affected by infections that are capable of debilitating the entire excretory system. This organ with the ability to expand its size is fundamental in the proper functioning of a cat's organism, being one of the main responsible for the elimination of urine. But do you know where the cat's bladder is? Or what is its function?And do you have any idea what diseases most affect this region? O Paws of the House explains everything about the cat's bladder, from anatomy to key care, so you can better understand the function and importance of the lower urinary tract in cats.

Where is the cat's bladder: understand the anatomy of the organ

The cat's bladder is a cavitary organ, meaning that it has a cavity inside. The muscles surrounding the bladder wall have the ability to contract, which is ideal for emptying the bladder when necessary. The cat's bladder can also expand and shrink in size, so it is difficult to define the exact size of the organ, as this depends on the amount of urine present. In addition, thehe shape of the cat's bladder also varies: when empty, it looks like a globe; when it extends, it takes on a shape close to that of a balloon.

The outline of a cat's bladder can be more or less regular. If it is partially full, it has an irregular outline, due to the presence of urine inside and the pressure it suffers from neighbouring organs as it increases in size. And where is a cat's bladder, anyway? It is located in the abdominal region. When it expands, it can even reach the navel area. If it is very full, you can eitherfeel the area where the cat's bladder is more tense.

The feline urinary system: understand how the system in which the cat's bladder is part works

The cat's urinary system is responsible for the production, storage and elimination of urine. It is made up of the cat's kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. While the kidneys and ureters are part of the upper urinary tract, the bladder and urethra constitute the lower urinary tract. The kidneys are responsible for the formation of urine, a substance that has the function of eliminating metabolic wastesIts excretion is essential to maintain the homeostasis (balance) of the functions and components present in the body. The urine then passes through the ureters, organs that have a direct connection with the bladder. When the urine arrives in the cat's bladder, it is stored for a while until it is time to be eliminated. At that moment, the urine is excreted from the bladder and passes through the urethra channel.It is thus eliminated from the animal's body by the act of urination.

What is the function of the cat's bladder?

The main function of the cat's bladder is to act as a temporary reservoir for the urine produced by the kidneys. After passing through the ureters, the urine reaches the bladder and is stored. As the cat's bladder has a high capacity for expansion, it can hold a large amount of urine inside. However, as we will see later, a completely full bladder can mean a problem with the bladder.The cat's bladder also helps in the process of expelling the pee. Its good contraction capacity serves as an impulse capable of giving force to the urine to travel through the urethra. It is basically as if the cat's bladder squeezes, propelling the urine through the end of the lower urinary tract, completing the process of urination.

Cat bladder health: lower urinary tract diseases in cats cause pain and difficulty urinating

Unfortunately, kittens are very easy to acquire health problems in the urinary system. Although they are more common in elderly cats, cats of any age group can suffer from a urinary tract infection. One of the main reasons is the low water intake of cats. Felines, in general, do not have the habit of drinking water. This has a direct impact on the cat's health,because water intake combats kidney problems and urinary infections. In addition to too little water, there is another common cause: stress and anxiety. When cats experience stressful situations - such as changes in routine or the arrival of a new pet - it is common for them to drink even less water, increasing the risk.

Diseases can affect any organ of the feline excretory system, but those that affect the bladder and urethra are called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUDT). They can be characterized as a set of disorders in these areas, which have similar symptoms and often different origins. Among the most common, we can highlight cystitis and urinary obstruction.The most common symptoms present in these and other PIDDs are:

• Licking of genitalia

• Hematuria - presence of blood in the urine

• Dysuria - pain when urinating

• Polaciuria - frequent urge to urinate

• Periuria - inappropriate urination, in an inappropriate place

• Aggressiveness

• Lethargy

• Extreme vocalization - excessive meowing

• Changes in behavior

Urinary infection in cats: cystitis is more common than you might think

You may have heard of urinary infection, right? So, cystitis is exactly that. The condition is characterized by an infection that can happen in any organ of an animal's urinary system. When it affects the kidneys, it is called nephritis, in the urethra it is urethritis and in the bladder it is cystitis. Cystitis can be caused by external agents such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. However, it alsomay be related to stress, anxiety, low water intake and feline obesity.

Because it is linked to various reasons, the exact cause of cystitis is often not identified. In cystitis, the cat's bladder becomes inflamed and thickened, causing extreme pain when urinating. It is very uncomfortable for the pet and, if not treated soon, can affect other organs of the animal. Therefore, at the sign of any of the symptoms common to DTUIF, it is essential to take the animal immediately to the doctor.Treatment is usually done with antibiotics prescribed by the veterinarian specializing in urology.

Cat with urinary obstruction almost always needs surgery

Urinary obstruction is a serious problem that can affect the lower urinary tract of cats. It occurs when something is obstructing the passage of pee through the urinary tract, preventing the flow and elimination of urine. The obstruction can be total or partial, making it impossible to excrete some or all of the urine. As a result, the cat's bladder soon becomes completely full and cannot be emptied at allIn rare and very serious cases, bladder rupture may also occur.

As the volume of the bladder increases, urine can back up through the ureters into the kidneys, causing hydronephrosis. In this condition, the kidneys become full and suffer various consequences that affect their normal functioning, making the condition even worse. In a situation of a cat with urinary obstruction, what to do? First of all, as soon as you notice the symptoms of the problem, take the animal to the vetThe main way to tell if your cat's bladder is overfilled due to obstruction is with lab tests and imaging. Once you know what is obstructing it, it is possible to remove it with surgery. Emptying and flushing the bladder are also procedures that can be done.

The presence of crystals in the cat's bladder is often the main cause of urinary obstruction. Also known as "stones", crystals in the cat's bladder are formed by the union of certain chemical substances present in the animal. They can be of various sizes, partially or completely obstructing the animal's lower urinary tract. In addition to impeding flow, the problem also causes painextreme.

Sachet and plenty of water prevent cat bladder infections

The cat's bladder is an extremely important organ for the proper functioning of the urinary system. Therefore, any problem in this organ affects the entire system and, consequently, the entire body of the animal. But there are some precautions that can be taken to avoid these situations. The main one is to increase the animal's water intake. It is essential that the tutor encourages him to drink more water.One tip is to leave several water jars around the house, so they are more likely to drink at any time of the day.

Since cats may not be such big fans of drinking water, another way to encourage an increase in its concentration in the body is with food. Wet cat food, or sachet cat food, can be offered every day, even replacing dry food at some meals. The sachet has a higher concentration of water, which is essential for those felines who hardly drink. Another way to prevent illness in theWhen it is necessary to make changes in the routine (such as travelling, changing food, welcoming new people and animals), do so in a subtle way. This prevents anxiety in the animal, protecting its health. It is important to note that urinary cat food is usually recommended only as a treatment for animals that have been diagnosed with urinary problems.the appearance of urinary infections - talk to your vet!