Comments on: Are there any natural treatment for a cat w/ a bladder infection?

By: sarah

sarah — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:45:59 +0000

I have heard of people trying some form of cranberry, or even applejuice. From my recollection, they’ve all come back when the problem gets worse.
– Not all bacteria respond to all antibiotics. You may need to have the urine sent out for a culture & sensitivity to determine what sort of bacteria are growing, and what they’ll respond to, or your vet may decide to try something a little more broad-spectrum.
– Severe infections often require a second round of antibiotics. If there is blood present, chances are the infection was enough to be considered "severe".
– You absolutely need to do a urinalysis. Blood in the urine means very little without assessing the pH, presence of skin cells, prescence of crystals, ketones, protein, white blood cells, specific gravity… the list goes on. Infections often cause a change in the pH, which creates crystals. Many crystals need to be treated with a diet change, and medications to either basify or acidify the urine (depend on the pH).
The problem may be greater than a UTI, which is why a urinalysis is so important. Kidney damage is a possibility, as is bladder stones. Epithelia in the sediment on the UA would determine if the kidneys may be involved, while crystals in the urine and lack of response to antibiotics may indicate stones.

In male cats, I cannot express how carefully you need to approach the sitation of UTIs. Crystals in the urine can collect, turn in to plugs, and "block" the bladder. This leads to kidney damage, and if not treated quickly death. If at any time you see him straining without producing urine, call your vet and get him in right away – it is ALWAYS an emergency.
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By: Homeopath X

Homeopath X — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:16:59 +0000

With the presence of blood, your cat is most likely in pain. Call the vet who prescribed the antibacterial meds to let him know they didn’t work. He’s trained to try another drug, and it’s his responsibility to heal your kitty. (You might want a second opinion.)

Concomitantly (at the same time) – A homeopathic remedy called "Cantharis 30c or 200c" might help, given the blood in the urine. Homeopaths collect much more symptomatic information than a vet, so this is an experienced-based guess. The nice thing about homeopathic remedies is that if it’s not the right one, it won’t hurt or interfere with other drugs. Nugget stores carry homeopathic remedies, and natural food stores do. You can also order online while working with your vet. If correct, the remedy works quickly. But – you have to absolutely follow through with your vet (or the 2nd opinion vet) immediately.

For the future – given your interest in natural healing – if you don’t have a holistic veterinarian available locally, http://www.drpitcairn.com lists homeopathically trained veterinarians. You can – in time, not during this crisis – learn first-aid and acute care homeopathy. I’ve treated all my pets this way since 1981. The http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org offers classes and affiliated study groups. Homeopathically treated pets are healthier and rarely need conventional medications. My vet brought her children to me for homeopathy years ago, and is interested in holistic veterinary care, so she diagnoses, and I treat.

Let us know how everything goes for your kitty. Take care.
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By: cat lover

cat lover — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:29:59 +0000

I guess the question I would ask first is how long he was on the medication? Normal course of antibiotic treatment is 7-10 days.

Normally, acidification of the urine will kill any bacteria, so look at what foods will acidify his urine. There is a cranberry pill sold that is supposed to do that, but there are other methods. But there is a danger in acidifying his urine, if he develops crystals in his urine. There are two types he could get, and one is not helped by acidification of the urine.

I would let the vet know things did not work out, and he should be able to prescribe a different medication. Bladder infections are not something to be fooled with.
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By: Dee

Dee — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:56:59 +0000

I have 2 cats that are spayed. When they get a bladder infection I put a small bit of my cranberry pills in with their food each morning for a week. I use the capsules so it is powdered. Cranberries are natural and after all of this time my girls are healthy and happy.
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By: Amanda T

Amanda T — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:12:59 +0000

An infection calls for anti-biotics. Continue the medication prescribed, and after 2 weeks if it is not better, take him back again. If the only reason the vet diagnosed him with an infection was because the urine was kinda pink, then take him to a real vet that will do a full urine analysis.
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By: cat care

cat care — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:28:59 +0000

If a urinary tract infection is present, common symptoms are that your cat may show signs of infrequent urination, fowl smelling urine, and urinating in places other than the litter box. Males cats that have not been spayed are usually the ones that are most easily affected; however, females contract this infection as well.
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http://www.1st-cat-care.com/pe.....sease.html