How Rapidly Should Feline Bladder Infections Resolve When Treated?
My three-year old spayed female cat is being treated with Clavamox for a UTI. She’s had five doses of the Clavamox over the past 2 1/2 days, but is still spraying urine and also calling loudly as though she were in season. She has never done this before, but has also never had a UTI before. Is this to be expected? How soon should I expect a reduction in symptoms?
Scotti
Cypress, TX
Bladder infections are common in both cats and dogs. In dogs and in older cats, they are the most common causes of uncomfortable urination, bloody urine, and inappropriate urination (cats, dogs). However, in young cats such as yours, another syndrome can have identical symptoms to a bladder infection: feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
FLUTD is a process in which urinary chemistry imbalances lead to painful urination. It is linked to crystals in the urine and abnormal urine pH levels. In all cats it is very uncomfortable. In male cats it is linked to a potentially fatal complication called urinary obstruction.
Most bladder infections improve dramatically with one or two doses of antibiotics. If your cat has not had urine tests to confirm a bladder infection, I am suspicious that she may not have an infection. You should talk to your vet about this.
FLUTD usually is treated through dietary changes. It is a chronic problem that can cause intermittent pain and, in male cats, chronic risk of urinary obstruction. It is important to determine with certainty which problem your cat has.
You have questions. 
Scotti, your vet can check if FLUTD is the issue by checking your cats urine. They can see if any crystals are present and whether the pH is abnormally high or low. If they did a urine test as part of the initial diagnosis ask them what the results were.
Hi…
When our cat was 6.5 years old (she is now just over 7 years old) she had both a UTI and FLUTD. Our vet thought it was one or the other but tests revealed she had both problems. It is quite possible that your cat has both as well.
I took my cat to the vet and he was diagnosed with a UTI, and he is on Clavamox. The vet said there were no crystals in his urine, but now he is trying and failing to pee in inappropriate places and has diarhea. What should I do?
If your cat is unable to urinate at any time, it should be taken to an emergency vet IMMEDIATELY. Your cat can die within hours of a urinary blockage. If they are unable to pass urine, their kidneys will shut down, their electrolytes will become unbalanced and both of these are life threatening.
As a side note, Clavamox, like most antibiotics can cause diarrhea. Try giving it at meal time. Otherwise, you may need to integrate Flagyl.