What is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease?
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, or FLUTD also known as Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS), or Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, can be a life-threatening condition that occurs primarily in young cats. While it can cause serious problems in both sexes, it more often results is a life threatening condition in males. It us a condition in which crystals form in the urine blocking the urethra and preventing urination.
The renal system - a quick overview
Living cells produce waste products, such as nitrogen and creatinine, which they export to the
blood stream. These wastes are eventually carried to the kidneys. The kidneys filter these
wastes out of the blood stream, as well as excess salts and minerals. The filtered material
is passed in a water solution to the bladder, which is emptied by urination.
What causes it?
Sometimes, due to diet, decreased drinking, or just the cats individual metabolism, the pH of the urine is higher or lower than usual. In
such an environment, crystals can form. Should enough crystals form, they can block the
urethra, preventing urination.
What should I watch for?
As can be imagined, a build up of crystals in the urethra can be uncomfortable, if not down
right painful. Male cats will often start licking his penis more in an attempt to relieve the
discomfort. Also cats will take more frequent trips to the litter box. Sometimes cats start
to associate the discomfort with the box, and experiment urinating in with other locations.
Eventually, their urethra may block all together, preventing any urination.
What can this do to my cat?
As the kidneys pump waste into the bladder, it fills up. Normally, cats relieve themselves several times a day. However, the bladder is somewhat
elastic, and can hold more urine than this. After 24-36 hours, it has completely filled. At
this point, the toxins start backing up in the kidneys. Soon the kidneys stop filtering the
blood, and the toxins fill up the blood stream. As time progresses, cells in the rest of the
body become poisoned, and organ damage or even death can occur within a few days or even hours
of the blockage. Even if treatment occurs in time, there can be permanent damage to the
kidneys.
How is it treated?
Treatment is relatively straight forward. First, a urinary catheter is placed to drain the
bladder. Typically this is placed while the cat is under anesthesia. This is left in for a day or so to ensure that blockage can not
re-occur. The bladder is thoroughly flushed with saline. Lactated Ringers
is administered IV at a higher rate than usual to flush the build-up of toxins out of the
system. Antibiotics are used, as infections are not uncommon, and sometime steroids are
needed to relieve any urethral swelling.
How can it be prevented from recurring?
Once the cat goes home, a prescription diet is recommended. Hills C/D, S/D; Eukanuba low pH,
and others are frequently used. These diets are low in ash and magnesium, which helps lower
the minerals that form the crystals. Since most often FLUTD occurs when the urinary pH is high,
a diet that lowers the pH is used. However, occasionally the urine's pH is too low, which
causes a different type of crystal to form and requires a pH raising food to be used instead.
For this reason, a urinalysis most be performed to determine the type of crystal and the
starting pH level. Also, the cats drinking should be watched - insufficient water intake can
result in more concentrate urine, increasing the likelihood of crystal formation. Unfortunately, this is a life-long condition. While some
cats may never experience further trouble while on the special diets, other may intermittently
re-block, and still other will need surgery.
Phone: (510) 841 - 4412
Fax: (510) 841 - 3019
email: staff AT uvhberkeley DOT com
What should I watch for?
As can be imagined, a build up of crystals in the urethra can be uncomfortable, if not down
right painful. Male cats will often start licking his penis more in an attempt to relieve the
discomfort. Also cats will take more frequent trips to the litter box. Sometimes cats start
to associate the discomfort with the box, and experiment urinating in with other locations.
Eventually, their urethra may block all together, preventing any urination.
What can this do to my cat?
As the kidneys pump waste into the bladder, it fills up. Normally, cats relieve themselves several times a day. However, the bladder is somewhat
elastic, and can hold more urine than this. After 24-36 hours, it has completely filled. At
this point, the toxins start backing up in the kidneys. Soon the kidneys stop filtering the
blood, and the toxins fill up the blood stream. As time progresses, cells in the rest of the
body become poisoned, and organ damage or even death can occur within a few days or even hours
of the blockage. Even if treatment occurs in time, there can be permanent damage to the
kidneys.
How is it treated?
Treatment is relatively straight forward. First, a urinary catheter is placed to drain the
bladder. Typically this is placed while the cat is under anesthesia. This is left in for a day or so to ensure that blockage can not
re-occur. The bladder is thoroughly flushed with saline. Lactated Ringers
is administered IV at a higher rate than usual to flush the build-up of toxins out of the
system. Antibiotics are used, as infections are not uncommon, and sometime steroids are
needed to relieve any urethral swelling.
How can it be prevented from recurring?
Once the cat goes home, a prescription diet is recommended. Hills C/D, S/D; Eukanuba low pH,
and others are frequently used. These diets are low in ash and magnesium, which helps lower
the minerals that form the crystals. Since most often FLUTD occurs when the urinary pH is high,
a diet that lowers the pH is used. However, occasionally the urine's pH is too low, which
causes a different type of crystal to form and requires a pH raising food to be used instead.
For this reason, a urinalysis most be performed to determine the type of crystal and the
starting pH level. Also, the cats drinking should be watched - insufficient water intake can
result in more concentrate urine, increasing the likelihood of crystal formation. Unfortunately, this is a life-long condition. While some
cats may never experience further trouble while on the special diets, other may intermittently
re-block, and still other will need surgery.
Phone: (510) 841 - 4412
Fax: (510) 841 - 3019
email: staff AT uvhberkeley DOT com
How is it treated?
Treatment is relatively straight forward. First, a urinary catheter is placed to drain the
bladder. Typically this is placed while the cat is under anesthesia. This is left in for a day or so to ensure that blockage can not
re-occur. The bladder is thoroughly flushed with saline. Lactated Ringers
is administered IV at a higher rate than usual to flush the build-up of toxins out of the
system. Antibiotics are used, as infections are not uncommon, and sometime steroids are
needed to relieve any urethral swelling.
How can it be prevented from recurring?
Once the cat goes home, a prescription diet is recommended. Hills C/D, S/D; Eukanuba low pH,
and others are frequently used. These diets are low in ash and magnesium, which helps lower
the minerals that form the crystals. Since most often FLUTD occurs when the urinary pH is high,
a diet that lowers the pH is used. However, occasionally the urine's pH is too low, which
causes a different type of crystal to form and requires a pH raising food to be used instead.
For this reason, a urinalysis most be performed to determine the type of crystal and the
starting pH level. Also, the cats drinking should be watched - insufficient water intake can
result in more concentrate urine, increasing the likelihood of crystal formation. Unfortunately, this is a life-long condition. While some
cats may never experience further trouble while on the special diets, other may intermittently
re-block, and still other will need surgery.
Phone: (510) 841 - 4412
Fax: (510) 841 - 3019
email: staff AT uvhberkeley DOT com
Phone: (510) 841 - 4412 Fax: (510) 841 - 3019 email: staff AT uvhberkeley DOT com
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