Saturday, January 3, 2009

Are You Sick Of Feline Bladder Infections?

Are you sick and tired of dealing with feline bladder infections?You're not the only one.  Cat urinary problems are probably the most common reason for a vet visit.  In this article, we'll take a look at how your vet treats a cat bladder infection, and what you can do at home.

Cat Bladder Infection Treatments

Your vet may want to do a urinalysis to check your cat's urine for the presence of bacteria, blood, white blood cells, or crystals.  White blood cells indicate an infection, while crystals can show that bladder stones are forming.  If your vet suspects bladder stones, x-rays or an ultrasound may be the next step.

Most bladder infections are treated with antibiotics.  If your cat suffers from frequent feline bladder infections, your vet will want to do a urine culture to try to identify the bacteria involved.The results will help your vet choose the right antibiotic.

If your cat has a bladder infection, it's very important to treat it.  If you don't, it can progress to a feline kidney infection, cat bladder stones, or other cat urinary problems.

Home Treatments for Bladder Infections In Cats

Diet is very important for cats with urinary problems.Chronic dehydration is often seen in cats fed only dry food.Cat bladder stones or a cat bladder infection can happen when your cat is dehydrated, and his urine is too concentrated.

Some cats don't drink enough water either.  This is because cats in the wild get most of their water from their prey, so they don't have to drink a lot of water.  However this leads to big problems when cats are fed only dry food.

Is there anything you can do?  The best answer is to feed your cat a good-quality canned food.The moisture level in canned food is much closer to what a cat would naturally eat.  

Be sure that your cat always has access to clean, fresh water.  You wouldn't want to drink water that's old and has stuff floating in it, and your cat won't either.

Cranberry juice is an old remedy for preventing bladder infections in people.  However, most cats won't drink it.  You can find cranberry capsules at the drugstore.  If you're good at giving your cat pills, this can be an effective way to prevent and treat bladder infections in cats.  But if you're like most cat owners, poking a pill down your cat's throat is not high on your list of fun things to do.

Natural Remedies For Cat Urinary Problems

Over the centuries, people have learned by trial and error which plants can help heal different health conditions.  Uva ursi and barberry are two herbal remedies for human urinary tract problems that have stood the test of time. 

Homeopathic remedies for bladder problems in people are very effective, with no fear of side effects.  Cantharis and Staphysagris are proven natural remedies to support bladder health.

The question is, how to use these natural remedies on your cat.  It's very important to find a product that's specially formulated for pets, not people, so it's safe for your kitty.  And of course, it has to be easy to give to your feline friend, or you won't use it for long.

Take charge of your cat's health by finding a product that's effective and easy to use, and so safe that you can give it to your cat every day. This is the easiest way to prevent feline bladder infections.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infections.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

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