Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is one of the most serious and distressing cat diseases confronting cat owners and veterinarians. In the past, FLUTD was often referred to as feline urologic syndrome (FUS)
Feline lower urinary tract disease occurs in all breeds and ages, male and female, neutered and non-neutered, indoor and outdoor cats, and in those fed all type foods.
Symptoms Of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:
Early signs of trouble include:
- Irritability and restlessness
- Bloody urine.
- Frequent trips to the litter box
- Straining while in a squatting position.
- Urinating in unaccustomed places about the house.
Cats with more advanced feline lower urinary tract disease may vomit or drool, cry with pain, strain constantly, or have a tender abdomen. These later signs often mean that the cat cannot pass urine because of sand stones or mucus plugs obstructing the urethra so urine cannot be expelled. If a veterinarian does not relieve the obstruction promptly, the cat will die!
Diagnosis Of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:
Diagnosis of feline lower urinary tract disease will involve a physical examination and urinalysis.
Often, a blood screen is recommended to evaluate your cat's overall health. This is especially important in cases of urethral obstruction, where kidney function can be compromised.
In some cases, culture of the urine may be recommended, particularly if bacterial infection is suspected. Culturing the urine allows us to determine the type of bacteria present and find out which antibiotics will be effective in killing the bacteria.
Imaging of the bladder, either through radiography (x-rays) or ultrasound examination, may be necessary to rule out growths, tumors, polyps, strictures or other abnormalities within the urinary tract.
Treatment Of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:
Feline lower urinary tract disease is an emergency situation if complete blockage has occurred. In this case, your cat will be completely unable to urinate.
This situation is more common in male cats, happening only rarely in females. Prompt treatment is essential for survival! Without treatment, obstructed male cats will become seriously ill very quickly (within hours). Death will soon follow.
Treatment is directed at removing the obstruction (usually by catheterizing the urethra), preventing infection, and maintaining the normal body fluid balance, usually through fluid therapy.
With early treatment, most urethral obstruction cases respond well; however, recurrence within a few hours to a few months is common, and some patients may still die from disease complications. If medical intervention does not take place in the early stages, the risk of fatal complications rises dramatically.
In recurring cases of urinary obstruction, surgery may be recommended to enlarge the urethral opening to prevent the blockage. This is called a penile urethrostomy.
In female cats, feline lower urinary tract disease rarely becomes life-threatening, as it can for an obstructed male cat. However, the disease can make a female cat very uncomfortable.
There appear to be a number of factors involved in the development of feline lower urinary tract disease, including diet, hereditary factors and stress.
Diet will often play a large role in managing the course of feline lower urinary tract disease. Laboratory analysis of urine is usually necessary to determine the proper diet. Often, these diets are chosen based on the type of crystals or stones found in your cat's urine and also on the pH (the degree of acidity) of your cat's urine. A special diet is likely to be required through-out your cat’s lifetime and should not be discontinued unless specified by your cat's veterinarian. Once started, the special diet should be fed exclusively with no additions (i.e. treats, table snacks, etc).
Antibiotics are often used in treating feline lower urinary tract disease to prevent secondary bacterial infections and/or to treat cystitis (infections of the bladder). However, it should be noted that their use is controversial until a urinary tract infection has been accurately diagnosed. Many of these cats do not actually have an infection in their urinary tract.
Urinary acidifiers are also sometimes used, especially in the event that your cat will not accept the dietary change. Because many of the special diets recommended to treat lower urinary tract disease also act to acidify the urine, urinary acidifiers must be used with caution if used in conjunction with medicinal diets. Be certain to follow the directions for these medications very carefully and keep your cat's veterinarian advised as to the type of the type of food your cat is receiving.
Other medications which are sometimes recommended in the treatment of feline lower urinary tract disease are anti-spasmodic medications and/or tranquilizers. These are frequently used after a urethral obstruction to calm urethral spasms and dilate the urethra, making it easier for urine to flow.
Prednisone or other cortisone products are sometimes used to calm the inflammatory response found within the urinary system in cats suffering from lower urinary tract disease. These medications may be contra-indicated in some situations, though.
Medications containing glucosamine, such as Cosequin or Adequin, may also be recommended to aid in reforming the mucous lining of the urinary tract.
Your cat should also have free access to fresh water and water consumption should be encouraged.
You should also attempt to provide an atmosphere for your cat which as stress-free as possible.
