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UTI and straining.

Species: Cat
Breed: domestic short haire
Age: 6-12 months
I have a feral cat that hangs around my workplace. I have had him neutered. He also received his rabies vaccination. He is not quite a year old. I took him to the vet yesterday. They found blood in his urine. He has a UTI. The vet gave him a shot of penicillin & I am to give him an antibiotic for 10 days - I think it is cephalexin - It's at work in the frig & I am home -it is a liquid & I give him two dropperfuls once a day. The cat is still urinating frequently - or at least trying. I can't tell if he is since he is outside. I had tamed him but needless to say he is not too happy with me right now. My question is how can I tell if it turns into a blockage? When should I start to see improvement? Are there things I should look for? I'm afraid he is going to get worse. Unfortunately, I have 4 dogs - so bringing him home is not an option. He's a very sweet guy & I am extremely worried about him!

Thank You,
Leigh Ann

Related article:FLUTD - Urinary Tract Blockage in Cats.



Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Oh, I am sorry to hear that Mr. Piggy is having these problems. Urinary tract issues can be very difficult to deal with.

It is actually fairly uncommon for a cat to have a simple urinary tract infection. Usually there are some crystals or there may be a condition called interstitial cystitis which is causing inflammation in the bladder.

If you have not seen an improvement by now then unfortunately he needs to go back to the vet. If he is still trying to urinate frequently then this means there is something more serious going on. The vet will feel his abdomen and determine if he has a large bladder. (Sometimes you can feel this at home, but usually, if you are not used to feeling cat bladders it is difficult).

If he is blocked then he will need to stay in the hospital and have a catheter put in place. Unfortunately this can be quite expensive.

If he is not blocked your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication. I have had good success using a medication called prazosin which helps with spasms in the urethra.

If he is not improved it is very important to take him back right away. If a cat is blocked for more than 12 hours or so they are at risk for death. Also, it is extremely painful.

I really hope he is ok!

Dr. Marie.

---This question was asked in our Ask A Vet For Free section.---


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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.