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Pre-Surgical Information

Spaying or neutering your pet is a big step! There is a lot to consider when we are planning your pet’s surgery. Here is some information to help you make wise decisions. Click here . . .

Special Library

Our Special Library is a collection of informative articles on a variety of health topics. Click here . . .

Discharge Instructions

Click here for information on how to care for your pet at home. Click here . . .

Bladder Issues in Cats

Cats have bladders. People have bladders. That is about where the similarities end. So forget everything you know about bladder infections in people, and enter the bizarre world of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease.

Bladder disease is quite common in cats. While in people most bladder disease involves infection, this is often not the case in cats. In cats, there are several poorly-defined diseases with overlapping symptoms, difficult diagnoses, and less-than-ideal treatments. Because of this, they all get lumped together into a syndrome called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, or FLUTD.
To help you better understand FLUTD, I have listed several internet publications from Veterinary Partner, a reputable source. Read through them, especially the first one on FLUTD, and I will offer a summary at the end.

FLUTD

Cat

Urinary Blockage

The Non-Obstructed Cat

Feline Housesoiling

Indoor Cat Initiative

The bottom line is that FLUTD is a complex of diseases that cause bladder and urination problems in cats. If urinary obstruction occurs, and this is only likely to happen in male cats, it can rapidly become a life-threatening problem.

Typically, cats with FLUTD will have recurrent episodes of bloody urine, painful urination, and urinating outside of the box. It is important to remember that FLUTD is a collection of symptoms, not a disease. There are several diseases, including some unknown diseases, that cause the symptoms of FLUTD.

It is important to test for the diseases that can be tested for. In younger cats we often do not do much testing other than a urinalysis. However, if the symptoms recur, it is important to take radiographs to look for stones. In older cats, antibiotics are important, and we may want to get a urine culture as well, especially if the symptoms recur, and blood testing is advisable since more often than not the afflicted cat will be in some stage of kidney failure.

Cats in which no specific disease is identified, especially younger cats, are assumed to have interstitial cystitis. This condition is quite common. It has no definitive treatment, although amytryptilline and pentosan are often tried. The symptoms come and go whether they are treated or not, and stress often precipitates an attack. Antibiotics tend to be minimally useful. Prescription diets seem to have considerable benefit.

Treatment Plans

For younger cats that are having their first episode of FLUTD, we usually perform a physical examination and a urinalysis. If there is evidence of infection in the urinalysis (white blood cells in the urine), we usually prescribe antibiotics even though infection is seldom the primary cause of the symptoms. We believe secondary infections prolong the active stage of the disease. We also recommend that their diet be switched to Science Diet's S/D, and that the cat be fed discrete meals rather than free choice. Once the bag of S/D is gone, the cat can continue on either C/D, W/D, or R/D. Frequent filling of the water dish is a good idea to promote water consumption. Stress reduction is important as well. Click here for a great link with advice on how to reduce your cat's stress. Please read the link The Non-Obstructed Cat for further information and ideas.

For younger cats having repeat episodes, it is important to take x-rays to look for bladder stones. We may recommend that canned food be fed or that broth be added to the dry food in an effort to further increase water consumption. Again, if there are white blood cells in the urinalysis, we may prescribe antibiotics. If there are multiple episodes, we begin to consider the possibility that the cat has interstitial cystitis, and may try some of the treatments specific to this disease.

For older cats having their first episode, almost always Antibiotics are prescribed. We also recommend that their diet be switched to Science Diet's S/D, and that the cat be fed discrete meals rather than free choice. Once the bag of S/D is gone, the cat can continue on either C/D, W/D, or R/D. Frequent filling of the water dish is a good idea to promote water consumption. Since many older cats are in some stage or renal failure at the time they are first seen with FLUTD, a serum chemistry is important.

For older cats having repeat episodes, it is important to try to identify the cause. This may involve x-rays, special contrast x-rays, and urine cultures. Treatment is then based on the diagnosis.