IDIOPATATHIC CYSTITIS CAT URINARY INFECTIONS

A urinary tract condition has been recognized in cats over the last few years. The term "idiopathic cystitis" refers to an inflammation of the bladder, with an as-yet unknown cause. cats often are young or middle-aged, with an equal prevalence among males & females. Signs displayed are typical of many types of urinary tract infections.cats often urinate small amounts of urine, with or without blood, outside the litter box. urinating may be painful, so the cat may cry while urinating. The cat maybe is grooming the belly & hindquarters more often, may resent being picked up, may have a decreased appetite & begin hiding in odd places.The term "idiopathic" means that the cause of the condition is unknown. Theories exist, but research still needs to be done. Stress seems to play a role, & interestingly we tend to see more cases at the changes of the seasons. A viral infection may also play a part in the disorder. Some cats show a decrease in the protective layer that is produced on the bladder wall, which may possibly contribute to the disease.Diagnosing idiopathic cystitis can be difficult. Cats are not only prone to other types of urinary tract infections that show the same signs, but can also show behavioural problems which can lead to urinating outside the litter box. READ MORE HERE:http://www.fairmontah.com/feline_idiopathic_cystitis.htm

CAT URINARY PROBLEMS

If your cat is straining to urinate and only produces a few drops of urine or none at all, he needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Your cat could be experiencing urethral obstruction, and if the problem is not solved, he could die within just a couple of days. What is urethral obstruction, and why is it life-threatening? The urethra is a tubelike structure that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Sometimes, mineral crystals or stones form in the urethra and block the path to the outside. The blockage is called a urethral plug. Because a male cat's urethra is longer and narrower than a female's, urethral plugs are most often seen in males (whether or not they are neutered). Once a plug has formed, urine builds up in the bladder. This is not only painful to the cat, but can quickly cause kidney damage. The kidneys' job is to release poisonous wastes from the body; when kidneys don't function properly, these poisons accumulate in the bloodstream. The final result, if not treated: a painful death. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE AND SYMPTOMS HERE; http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:3lnLGw3k0_0J:www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx%3FID%3D54+CAT+URINARY+BLOCKAGE&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=11&gl=us

WHY DOES A CAT SPRAY?

WHY DOES MY CAT SPRAY
Cats spray either to mark territory or to express
unhappiness about changes going on around them. Cats mark their territory in several
different ways: by scratching, rubbing against an object, or spraying.
Urine marking (spraying) is different from a housetraining problem. The cat backs up to an
object, points its tail straight up in the air, and sprays a nasty, smelly shot of urine. Both
males and females spray, though most often a male cat is the offender. There are several
approaches to solving this problem, and you may have to try them all.
If your cats are not spayed or neutered, get it done immediately. Sexual excitement often
triggers marking behavior. A passing cat outside is enough to start it. Altering by six months
of age prevents the habit from developing. An unneutered male or a female in heat can be
especially obnoxious howling, trying to get outdoors, and spraying the door because of
frustration. Spayed or neutered cats can still spray, although they typically do not.
Changes of any kind in your cat's environment can also trigger a bout of spraying, as he
expresses his frustration, confusion, and stress. Some situations that can cause a cat to
begin spraying:

Moving to a new home

Getting a new cat or dog

A new baby or family member

New furniture or rearranging

Moving the litter box

Dirty litter box

Changing brands of litter
As you see, cats are very sensitive and don't have a lot of ways to tell you about their
unhappiness.