Feline lower urinary tract disease
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a painful inflammatory condition of the urinary bladder in cats
. The classic signs of this syndrome are straining to urinate, painful urination, bloody urine, urinating small amounts frequently and inappropriate urination. The symptoms are occasionally confused with constipation.
This condition is also known as feline urologic syndrome (FUS), feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), interstitial cystitis, feline obstructive uropathy or "blocked tomcat". This syndrome is similar to interstitial cystitis in humans.
Feline lower urinary tract disease is a common condition, accounting for 10% of all admissions to veterinary hospitals. It is more common in middle aged, indoor, overweight cats. Male and female cats are equally affected, but male cats are more frequently obstructed, or unable to urinate, because of the smaller diameter of their urethra.
The cause of FLUTD is unknown. It is believed to be caused be a combination of conditions. Diets high in magnesium and dry (kibble) diets have been implicated in feline lower urinary tract disease. Viruses, bladder infections, persistent alkaline urine, and chronic urinary crystal formation are also possible factors that can lead to FLUTD.
Feline lower urinary tract disease is diagnosed by a veterinarian with a physical examination, urinalysis, urine culture and sensitivity, blood work, x-rays, ultrasound, and biopsy. FLUTD must be diagnosed by excluding other causes of urinary problems such as bladder stones, bladder infections, anatomic defects of the bladder, and bladder tumors.
FLUTD can be alleviated by feeding cats a food that is low in magnesium. Royal Canin Urinary S/O and Hill's Prescription Diet C/D are excellent diets for cats with urinary bladder problems. Canned foods are preferred over dry because of their high moisture content and higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids. An increase in water consumption results in the production of more urine and more frequent urination which essentially flushes the kidneys and bladder out more often. Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil supplements) and glucosamine chondroitin have also been shown to help alleviate bladder inflammation and maintain the integrity of the bladder wall. A veterinarian may also prescribe antibiotics and medications to relax the bladder such as propantheline and phenoxybenzamine.
In the event that a cat becomes obstructed (blocked), or unable to urinate, this is a life-threatening emergency! Urinary obstruction quickly leads to kidney failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and coma. If the obstruction and associated metabolic abnormalities are not relieved by a veterinarian, bladder rupture and/or death occurs.
Male cats that have a history of urinary obstruction may benefit from a perineal urethrostomy. A perineal urethrostomy is a surgical procedure that changes a male cat's reproductive anatomy to more closely resemble a female cat's anatomy. Male cats are less likely to become obstructed with a shortened, wider urethra. Fortunately, with more effective dietary management of cats with FLUTD, this procedure is less commonly performed.
The exact cause of feline lower urinary tract disease is unknown and probably multifactorial. Once a diagnosis is made by a veterinarian, changes in diet, addition of dietary supplements, medications to relax the urinary bladder, and surgery can help ameliorate the symptoms of this chronic, painful urinary disorder in cats.
Feline lower urinary tract disease
By: Pamela Dragos
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