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Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Urinary Tract   
   Infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely common in dogs and cats. It is
more common in female dogs than male dogs and more common in cats
greater than 6 years of age. If a young cat is exhibiting signs of a UTI,
FLUTD is more likely, especially if there is no bacteria seen in the urine.
Bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus are the most common bacteria
associated with UTIs, but more resistant bacteria and fungus have also
been found. Female dogs with urinary incontinence or male cats that have
had a penile urethrostomy are predisposed to develop UTIs. In patients with
bladder stones, recurrent UTIs are expected. Diseases such as diabetes
and Cushing's disease cause a pet to potentially develop urinary infections
due to the excessive glucose or steroid concentrations in the urine.
Most patients will have an increased urgency to urinate and may go in
unusual places. They may squat several times while attempting to urinate,
and the urine can be malodorous or bloody. UTIs cause a burning
sensation so many pets whine when urinating or lick the penis or vulva
excessively. Cats will visit the box repeatedly and may cry out-this needs to
be investigated immediately to assess urinary blockage, especially in male
cats!
Treatment of a UTI is very simple and involves oral antibiotics. If the
infection is uncomplicated, e.g. not caused by stones or any other
condition, prognosis is excellent. In cases where there are recurrent
infections, a urinary culture, bladder radiographs, and blood work is
necessary to rule out other problems. In patients with recurrent infections
not caused by a predisposing factor, antibiotic therapy may need to be
administered for up to 6 months.