Affects: Cats
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a generic category term to describe any disorder affecting the bladder or urethra of cats.
It encompasses around 10 different diseases of the lower urinary tract, all of which can present with very similar symptoms:
frequent urination (polyuria)
Causes: Some studies have concluded magnesium in the diet could be a primary cause of struvite urolithiasis in cats. However, researchers have found that concentrated urine (due to low levels of hydration) and alkaline urine pH are more important contributing factors. Increasing moisture intake via wet food is above all the most important preventative measure as it dilutes the urine which dissolves struvite crystals as well as encouraging urination to flush out any crystalline debris remaining in the bladder. Acidic urine also helps to dissolve struvite uroliths and discourages its formation. Commercial feline foods limit the amount of magnesium and add acidifiers such as DL-Methionine to increase urine acidity, thereby reducing the likelihood of struvite accumulation. However, whilst acidic urine is associated with a decrease in struvite uroliths, excessive acidity can result in an increase in calcium oxalate uroliths, low magnesium levels and urine pH both being factors in calcium oxalate formation. Oxalate uroliths do not dissolve in cat urine and cannot be managed with diet.
Less common forms of uroliths include ammonium urate, uric acid, calcium phosphate, and cystine uroliths.
Treatment: A blocked urethra is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. If the bladder cannot be emptied, it can reach capacity and inhibit kidney function, causing kidney damage. Renal failure and uremia will follow within 36–48 hours of complete urethral obstruction. The time from complete obstruction until death may be less than 72 hours.
The plug must be removed and the bladder drained. Gentle mechanical manipulation of a penis may dislodge the blockage, or a catheter might be used to drain the bladder. Intravenous fluids are given to treat uremia. Antibiotics and a special diet may be prescribed. Diets low in magnesium and urine acidifiers may be helpful. Most of all increased hydration via wet food will be essential to prevent recurrence. Cats susceptible to repeated attacks of this disorder may require surgery, such as the removal of the penis (urethrostomy) to prevent its blockage although this a last line of treatment.