What we need to know about feline uroological syndrome or on the affection of the cat’s lower urinary tract

Author: Dr. Cristian Cristea

What should you know about this condition?

Flutd (The disease of the fine urinary tract is not a specific disease, but it is rather a complex of problems of the urinary tract, the bladder and urethra of the cat. Most of the time the owners come to the clinic because their cat often goes to litter or spend more time in the litter. Sometimes Miauna /»cry» when urine, urinating out of the litter or in more serious cases, the cat cannot urinate.

This anamnesis should be enough for each veterinarian to sigh the Flatd. Through clinical and paraclinical tests such as ultrasound examination, radiological examination, urine analysis (urinary synthesis and sediments), hematological and biochemical tests we will establish a diagnosis of certainty.

What really happens to our cat? What are the clinical signs we can see?

Dysuria – It represents difficulties and/or pain during urination. The cat strives, it was tense to be able to solicit, often «crying» because of pain.

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Polish – represents the increase in the frequency of urination. The infections and inflammation of the bladder and/or urethra cause irritation and therefore our cat will feel the need to urinate more and more frequently.

Hematuria – It simply means «blood in the urine». It can also occur in infections and inflammation. Sometimes blood is easy to see because the color of the urine changes. Other times the blood in the urine is in small quantities and can only be observed by the veterinarian through laboratory tests and exams.

Perjury – We use this term when the cat’s hats in places other than those of his litter. This may be due to pain, irritation, bladder or urethra, causing urinating the urgent need to urinate.

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Excessive It is due to the pain and irritation of the bladder and urethra. Some cats licks excessively in the perineum area. This behavior can lead to the complete hair removal of the area (the cat loses all the fur in this area).

Behavioral changes. In some cases, cats can only present these behavioral changes. They no longer urin in the litter or in the place where they have been used, excessively, they become apathetic or can become aggressive.

Stranguria represents the total block of the urethra. The cat struggles to urinate, but fails. The condition is more common among the engines, the urethra is longer and closer than the female and the diameter of the terminal portion will be smaller. When you meet this situation, consider it an emergency and presented to the veterinary office as soon as possible.

Are there cats predisposed to Flutd affection?

Certainly, mediocre cats, sterilized and overweight who do not move are subject to these problems. In addition, the cats that remain in the house and consume exclusively dry foods are more susceptible than those with open or semi -open diet that consume wet food.

What does a medical emergency mean and what should we do?

What are the causes that lead to the occurrence of lower urinary tract disorders?

The most common causes are:

Urolithiasis It defines the presence of calculations (stones) in the bladder. The most common are the phosphates, the larchs and the calcium bones. Urolitiasi is the cause of 10-15% of Flutd cases.

Bacterial infections. The bacterial cystitis (bladder and inflammation infections) usually occur in mature geriatric cats, after 8 years.

Urethral obstruction It is produced by accumulations of protein, fibrin, cells detached from the mucous membrane of the bladder or urethra, fine crystals and other residues. All this combines and produces a thorn that blocks the urethra. This can also be produced by the spasm of the muscles of the urethra which can occur consecutively to serious inflammations or irritations.

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Anatomical defects. What is often encountered is the urethral structure, i.e. a strangulation of the urethra or in the case of injuries on the mucosa caused by calculations or defective urethral probe. During the healing period, fibrous processes can occur that will reduce the diameter of the urethra and therefore the urine will be eliminated with difficulty.

Neoplastic processes They usually occur in cats over the age of 9 and affect the bladder and urethra. The most common type of cancer at this level is transition cancer.

Idiopathic cystitis. In over 50% of cats that develop Flutd, the cause of this condition is not identified, they are classified in idiopathic cystitis. This means that it is an inflammation of the bladder without knowing the cause.

Paraklinic exams in the case of Flutd cats are:

Cytological examination (microscopic) and/or bacteriological examination to identify bacterial infections or to identify urination calculations, different modified cells, etc. Urine sampling can be done by abdominal drilling using a thin needle in ultrasound guide. The labor is very little painful and most cats accept this work without resorting to calmness or anesthesia. Through the cystocentesis (bladder sting technique through the abdomen, with a sterile needle) we can avoid the pollution of the sample with bacteria that can occur in the case of a urethral investigation.

Radiological examination of the bladder and urethra will be performed to identify some urination, stenosis (strangulation) of the urethra or possible bladder tumors. The ultrasound examination of the bladder can help identify the calculations or the Fibrina conglomerate or other debris in the bladder.

Bladder biopsy It is an invasive method that provides for the collection of a fragment from the bladder. The aim is to identify the changes in the tumor origin of the bladder tissue.

After the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the specific treatment of the elimination of the cause that determined this condition manifested in your cat.

These recommendations for cat owners with Flutd diagnosis we will mention:

– Enrichment of the environment in which the stimulation of your cat’s physical and mental activities lives.

– Special fountains for cats. We know very well that the cat is not a great water consumer. That’s why we have to stimulate its water appetite by installing special wells, which recirculate water and filter. The sound, the fact that flows continuously and filtered, guarantees a freshness of water and will increase the desire to hydrate.

– Physical exercises and external outputs. What dogs, cats can be taught to take a walk in the harness and leash, or they can go out if this variant is possible. Movement and free air are a distinctive factor for cats. This will be much more sociable and less inclined to stress and diseases of the lower urinary tract.

– Quality wet food administrationFrom envelopes or cans, it can significantly reduce the risk of flutd. Several sprays and vaporizers with pheromones or volatile vegetable substances can be used at home and on the objects with which they come into contact to calm them and stimulate their secretion of endorphins and serotinona. In this way your cat will be happier.

– Clean the frequency of the litterRegular change of sand and possibly increasing the number of liters in the cat’s environment. And these things influence your cat’s mental and physical health.

– Exclusion of stress factors From the life of the cat, like the change of the environment, the owners, the sand, the food. In addition, bringing to the house of new animals of the same species or of different species, the smells of the room, along the way, can be sources of stress.

Try to identify them and do not forget to mention the doctor during the consultation all these changes that can intervene in your cat’s life!

We want this article to help you identify the changes in your cat’s behavior that could be related to this condition of lower urinary tract!