Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the bladder and urethra of cats. The most common form is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), a stress-related inflammatory condition. Urethral obstruction ('blocked cat') is a life-threatening emergency, primarily affecting male cats due to their narrow urethra.
Symptoms & Signs
- Frequent attempts to urinate
- Straining in the litter box
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Crying while urinating
- Excessive genital licking
- Complete inability to urinate (obstruction - EMERGENCY)
Causes & Risk Factors
FIC (65%): stress-related, involving defective bladder lining (GAG layer) and neurogenic inflammation. Urolithiasis (15-20%): struvite or calcium oxalate stones. Urethral plugs (10-20%): mucus and crystal matrix. Bacterial UTI (<5% in young cats). Neoplasia (rare).
Diagnosis
Urinalysis (crystals, blood, bacteria, pH). Urine culture for suspected UTI. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound for stones. Blood work to assess kidney function in obstructed cats. Cystoscopy for chronic cases.
Treatment
FIC: multimodal environmental modification (MEMO), stress reduction, increased water intake, analgesics. Obstruction: emergency catheterization, IV fluids, electrolyte correction. Stones: dissolution diet (struvite) or surgical removal (calcium oxalate). Perineal urethrostomy for recurrent obstruction.
Prevention
Environmental enrichment and stress reduction. Increased water intake (wet food, fountains). Multiple clean litter boxes. Prescription urinary diets. Weight management. Predictable routine.
Prognosis
FIC: episodes typically resolve in 5-7 days; recurrence common without environmental modification. Obstruction: good if treated promptly; fatal within 24-72 hours if untreated. Stones: good with appropriate diet management.
Affected Breeds (1)
| Breed | Species | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Tonkinese | Cat | Medium |