Feline Urinary Tract Infection
in Kittens
A feline urinary tract infection in kittens is not only annoying; it can be deadly. If untreated urinary tract infections in cats can cause severe kidney disease and failure. A common feline UTI can be treated with basic antibiotics. Yet, cat urinary tract infections are notorious for frequently reoccurring despite therapy.
Most feline UTIs are caused by harmful bacteria that invade the urethra (duct leading from the bladder to outside the body). Normally, the lower part of the urethra has helpful healthy bacteria that keep the urinary tract in working order. But, sometimes “bad” disease-causing germs make their way into the urethra and cause problems.
The signs and symptoms of a feline UTI can be similar to many other medical conditions in cats. So, get your kitten to the vet as soon as possible if your notice any of the following warning signs or symptoms.
- Frequent Urination – Does your kitten or cat pee just a little too often? Frequent urination is a common problem in cats with UTIs. Despite the urgency of voiding, a cat may be eliminating very little urine each time.
- Pain during Urination – Does your kitten or cat yelp out or meow in pain when it voids? Urinary tract infections in cats are very painful. If you notice crying and straining at the litter box, take your cat to the vet.
- Litter Box Rejection – Does your furry friend refuse to use its litter box? Often, cats with a feline urinary tract infection will reject their boxes. A cat learns to associate the pain of a UTI with its litter box. It thinks, “If I don’t pee in my box, I won’t hurt so much.”
- Urination in Odd Places – Kittens with UTIs like to void in unusual places. Your kitchen sink or bathtub may become your cat’s new favorite potty.
- Blood in Urine – Hematuria or blood in the urine is a definite sign of a urinary tract infection or worse. Sometimes hematuria can be quite obvious with reddish-tinged urine; other times blood in the urine may be more subtle. Urine analysis and cultures are usually required to make a definitive diagnosis of a feline UTI.
- Over-attention to Genitals – It’s not uncommon to see a cat with a UTI excessively lick or groom its genital area.
- Vomiting – Vomiting in cats can be caused by almost anything. So, vomiting in and of itself may not be of much interest to cat owners. But, when vomiting is present with the above signs and symptoms of a feline urinary tract infection a preliminary finding can be made.
- Decreased Appetite – In cats and kittens, a marked decrease in appetite should be cause for concern. Cats can deteriorate quickly without adequate nutrition. See a vet immediately if you notice that your cat or kitten refuses to eat.
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