Symptoms & Causes of Urinary Tract Problems in cats

Cats may struggle to urinate if there’s a physical issue within the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Cats with a blocked bladder are often confused with the signs of constipation.  It is best to see a vet as soon as possible if there are any signs of straining and discomfort with your cat toileting.

In general, the most common symptoms of of urinary tract problems can include:

  • Frequent urination, but only passing a small amount of urine
  • Urinating outside the litter box
  • Blood in the urine
  • Straining to urinate
  • Crying out in pain while urinating
  • Increased licking of urinary opening

What Causes Lower Urinary Tract Problems in Cats?

There are a few types of urinary tract problems in cats, including the following.

  1. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis – Occasionally, the inside of a cat’s lower urinary tract will get irritated without an infection or stones being present. Sometimes it can be a symptom of stress or a reaction to a change in diet. In many cases the cause is unknown.
  2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) – Cats get UTIs when there is a bacterial infection in their bladder or urethra. Other diseases like diabetes and kidney disease can make infection more likely.
  3. Uroliths (Urinary Stones) – Urine naturally contains minerals that can clump up and form tiny crystals, and even large stones, in your cat’s bladder. They can irritate the lining of the bladder or urethra and cause both bloody urine and pain while urinating.

The production of crystals (like pieces of sand) in the urine can combine with mucus and form a “plug” blocking the urethra. The bladder cannot empty and is obstructed rapidly becoming very painful.

An obstruction of the urethra is a medical emergency and you should call your vet right away.

 

 

Veterinarian – Emergency & Critical Care jobs available

Position: Veterinarian – Emergency & Critical Care
Location: EVH Emergency Vet Hospital, WANGARA, Perth Western Australia
Work Type: Part time or casual

The role

EVH is seeking casual or part time experienced veterinarians in Australia to be part of our Senior Veterinary Team. When you come on-board, we provide on-the-job and external training to help you deliver excellent emergency and critical care to your patients. Supported by a team of vets on duty, Vet Duty Manager, Nurse Duty Manager and vet nurses we assist you to achieve the most out of your work environment and longer-term career goals.

Over the years we have developed external training which is providing through Sydney University CVE (https://www.cve.edu.au/ ) and Veterinary Information Network (VIN https://www.vin.com/vin).  Internal guidance is through our team of Senior Vets plus our Veterinary Director who help and support each other and develop our clinical and management skills. Additionally, the hospital is passionate about supporting our teams career path and provide financial assistance with continuous education programmes or areas of special interest.

Our hospital also recieves vet students from Murdoch University and James Cook University to help them learn new skills and understand whether emergency is an environment in which they thrive.

Being a 24/7 emergency hospital our rosters encompass a wide variety of shifts which are either fixed or a 2-week rotation. The shifts are varied across days, evenings and nights and quite flexible however, this role will need to be able to help us in some capacity across weekends.

About us

EVH does not run with KPI’s. We think they stifle development and negatively affect veterinarian’s growth. The competitive nature of KPIs is the very core of what we don’t like surrounding the veterinary environment. We encourage curiosity and learning.

We value teamwork, kindness and respect towards self, each other and the community we serve.

In 2022 the expanded hospital was completed and offers:

  • New purpose-built intensive care ward with oxygen cages, generators and ventilator. Including an incubator for small patients
  • New SmartFlow for patient management within the hospital
  • New dedicated imaging room with new GE Logiq P9 ultrasound https://www.gehealthcare.com.au/products/ultrasound/logiq/logiq-p9
  • Video Endoscopy – Olympus Pentax and Digital xrays including separate dental xrays.
  • Dedicated quarantine ward
  • New spacious IDEXX laboratory including coags, blood gases and Sediview for comprehensive in-house analysis
  • New internal camera system offering higher visibility for each patient
  • Dedicated cat ward away from the main thoroughfare and now in the quietest section of the hospital
  • A new grieving room providing convenience for when families wish to visit their loved ones whilst in hospital or for when for when privacy is required
  • VetNotes – automatic notes taking for veterinarians.

About You

You are respectful, compassionate and don’t mind helping other vets or people during your shift. Working in emergency is a dynamic environment and does take resilience which we support with a kind and pragmatic working environment. If you are curious and you have an enthusiasm towards staying up to date with treatments you will fit in!

You could be an experienced ECC vet, a GP veterinarian seeking a change of pace and diverse case load or a senior veterinarian looking for educational, gold standard medicine and tools.

You have a veterinary degree recognised within Australia and able to become registered with the WA Veterinary Surgeons Board.

You want an appealing salary that will reflect your abilities and future performance in the order of $135,000- $155,000 + superannuation.

Ability to utilise contribution per annum towards your ongoing education.

Want access to the EVH Pet Wellness programme which provides cost price treatment for your pets and discount for your family.

You want a balance between work and personal life but deep down know that all the exciting medicine happens at night.

You want assistance with transitioning to emergency with support on your shift, shift support, access to workshops, webinars and are enthused by a financial contribution towards your continuous education.

For confidential discussion please reach out to:

Veterinary Director:  Dr Libby Farrugia BVSc BVMS

E libby@emergencyvethospital.com.au

About Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and situated on the west coast of Australia. With a population of just over 2 million we have access to beautiful beaches, river, parkland as well as cafes, tourist spots and architecture.

The city is frequently voted in the 10 most livable cities in the world. It offers a range of private, independent and public schools and well as 3 universities. It appeals to those who enjoy the great outdoors, long hot summer a laidback lifestyle or a place to raise family. To find out more visit the following websites:

https://www.australia.com/en

https://www.westernaustralia.com/

 

COVID-19 Coronavirus Update

The hospitals aim is to continue to be able to provide the highest levels of care to our patients. In order to do that we are taking these steps to protect you and our team.

If you are unwell or are in self-isolation, call us for advice – do not come straight to the hospital. Please note that EVH may have additional safety procedures in place, and these may vary based on the latest advise of the state government and health officials.

This may include:

  1. Contactless consultations
  2. A limitation of one client per pet
  3. That you wear a facemask when entering the hospital
  4. Payment over the phone
  5. More email and phone communication

It is important that we all work together during such trying times. Please speak with our vet care team upon arrival for more information. These safety measures are in place to ensure that we can stay open and are in a position to provide care for you and your pets during these extraordinary times. We ask that you follow government recommendations and if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms please stay at home and organise someone else to bring your pet in to us.

We all have a part to play and ask that you remember to:

  1. Keep up to date with current COVID-19 restrictions in Perth and surrounding areas
  2. Wear a face mask in certain settings and when required. (Masks are not necessary for children under 12)
  3. Practise physical distancing (keep at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths from each other)
  4. Practise good personal hygiene (wash hands often with soap and water, or hand sanitiser and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your elbow)
  5. Stay home if unwell and get someone else to bring down your pet
  6. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms get COVID-19 test
  7. Sign in using the SafeWA app or paperwork at reception

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding – we are here to work with you to provide care for your pet when you need us most.

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EVH Location

1 Chokolich Street
WANGARA  6065
Western Australia

T 9200 4460
E support@emergencyvethospital.com.au

EVH Opening Hours

Open 24/7 | 7 days a week | 365 days of the year

24 hours Monday – Friday
24 hours on Weekends
24 hours on Public Holidays

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