Recognizing And Treating Feline Kidney Infection


by R.D. Hawkins - Date: 2010-07-22 - Word Count: 517 Share This!

There are many challenges cat owners face but perhaps one of the biggest is that of feline kidney infection. This disease is bacterial driven, often times entering through the urethra working its way up to the bladder and then finally infecting the kidneys. While ascending upwards is the most common path it can also be caused by bacteria that becomes blood borne eventually working its way to the kidneys and then to the bladder. A feline kidney infection can be very difficult to get rid of and can easily turn chronic under the right set of circumstances.

One thing is for sure when a feline kidney infection occurs your cats behavior will start to change. If the bacterial has ascended the signs of bladder infection will be present: fatigue, pageant urine odor, inappropriate urination, tenderness in the hind quarter, a low grade fever, and possibly blood in the urine.

The conventional symptoms of an acute feline kidney infection are fever, vomiting, pain in the kidney areas, a stiff legged walk, blood in the urine, and a hunched feeble looking posture. When my cat had this condition it almost appeared as if he was dragging his hind legs and hind quarter slightly. At the time I really didn't understand why this was the case but now I know it was from the pain.

Besides acute feline kidney infection there is chronic feline kidney infection. The chronic form of this disease may not be preceded by the signs and symptoms listed above. If chronic feline kidney infection lasts for an extended period of time you cat will start to lose weight, begin to act and look feeble, and their fur may become dry and haggard. If you are able to recognize the signs early enough, with the help of your veterinarian doctor it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease.

Can feline kidney infection be treated effectively?

A feline kidney infection is many times more dangerous and much harder to treat that your run of the mill bladder infection. The diagnosis and treatment methods are similar whereas your veterinarian will run urine culture to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection. At this point antibiotics that concentrate in the urine will be prescribed and hopefully things will start to improve in a week to ten day. On the other hand if the condition is chronic it may take up to six weeks of treatment to see results.

Additionally, your pet doctor may suggests a diet that elevates urine ph levels along with other preventative antibacterial steps including adding cranberry or blueberry juice to your cats filtered water and possibly a natural urinary tract supplement or prescription medication to promote healthy voiding and recondition the urinary tract.

One last point is feline kidney infection may lead to dehydration requiring intravenous fluids be given every other day. This may sound complicated and expensive but it really isn't. With a prescription from your vet your local pharmacy will be happy to order what is called a lactated ringer along with some needles for about 12 dollars. This will last for about 2 weeks.

Related Tags: feline kidney infection, chronic feline kidney, treating feline kidney

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