Causes

• Bladder infections can be a result of bacterial or viral infections, such as feline herpes virus, or bacteria in the lower urinary tract. FUS occurs when small collections of highly concentrated urinary mineral crystals form, irritate the bladder and result in blood in the urine. Under normal circumstances, the balance of mineral levels in the urine is low enough to prevent crystals from forming, and concentrations dissolve in the urine naturally. If not, they will begin to crystallize and clump into bladder stones with a propensity for pain and blockage.
  
  

Bladder Stones

• Stone formation is related to an imbalance in the mineral count (pH) in the urine, resulting in uroliths. Clinically, bladder stones are known as uroliths. Uroliths form hard deposit clusters that irritate the bladder by rubbing against its inner walls and may be the result of nutrition or congental factors, such as an inability to absorb cystine mineral in the kidney.
  
  If the cat struggles to urinate, take note and see the veterinarian as soon as possible. The cat may have a urinary tract stone that, if not removed, could lead to toxic poisoning and irreparable kidney damage.
  
  

Symptoms

• On occasion, cats will cry out when urinating, which is a warning sign for its human companion to take action through medical intervention. Stones may cause the bladder to bleed and blood is mixed into the released urine. Because of the pressure of the stones, or the sensation of the bladder infection, the cat will have the sensation to urinate often, but with little success. Additionally, ill cats like to hide, vomiting may be present, or the cat may exhibit depression (lack of interest) and lethargy or weakness. Again, bladder infections can become quite serious without giving much warning, so observation and fast action are most important to save your cat's health and life.
  
  

Standard Treatments

• The usual treatment for most infections is veterinary administration of an antibiotic. The vet may want to perform a urinalysis to see if white blood cells are in a certain concentration in the cat's bladder, and a urine culture may be performed to determine which bacteria is the culprit to be dealt with. Additional treatments may include administration of a drug to prevent pH increase in the cat's urine, a suggested change of diet, and if stones are present, either urohydropropulsion (flushing of the stones) or cystomy (surgical removal of the stones).
  
  

Avoiding Reoccurrence

• If the cat is prone to repeat bladder infections, a good commercial wet canned food may help. Ensure the water is changed out frequently. Highly stressed pets are more prone to bladder infections, as well.