Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Cats are real champions at hiding pain and discomfort. But if your velvet paw suddenly starts running incessantly to the litter tray, urination seems painful or she's even urinating outside the toilet, a lower urinary tract disease known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) may be the cause. In this article, you'll learn how to recognize the symptoms, what the causes are and what treatment options are available.

FLUTD encompasses a variety of disorders of the lower urinary tract in cats. These range from inflammation to dangerous blockages of the urinary tract, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. The disease can affect cats of any age, but is most common in overweight, neutered apartment cats.

Typical signs are frequent urination in small quantities, visible pain or agitation when using the toilet, bloody urine or unusual urination outside the toilet. Some cats lick their genital area more, seem to lack energy or refuse to eat. In males in particular, this can lead to urinary tract blockage, which can be fatal. If your cat tries to urinate but nothing or almost nothing comes out, is agitated or even vomits, it needs immediate veterinary help.

There are many causes of FLUTD. Often, idiopathic cystitis is the cause. Urinary calculi or crystals can also be deposited in the urethra, leading to painful problems. Due to its anatomical characteristics, the cat's urethra is very narrow (around 1 to 2 mm). Even the smallest amount of crystals or cellular concretions can therefore lead to urethral obstruction. Bacterial infections occur mainly in older cats, while anatomical features or tumors can also play a role. Other risk factors include poor diet and insufficient fluid intake.

To find the cause of the disorder, a veterinary examination is essential. Urinalysis, a sedimentation test to detect crystals or infection and, if necessary, urine culture are used to clarify the diagnosis. Imaging techniques such as X-rays and ultrasound are used to rule out the presence of urinary calculi, anatomical anomalies or tumours. In some cases, a blood test may also be required to check kidney function.

Treatment depends on the cause: pain is relieved by medication, special diets help dissolve urinary crystals, and increased fluid intake promotes bladder health. A stress-free environment is particularly important, as stress plays a major role in the development of the disease. In the event of a blockage, it may be necessary to insert a catheter or, in severe cases, undergo surgery.

To keep your cat healthy, it is important that they always have access to fresh water to flush the urinary tract properly. A balanced and high-quality diet plays an important role in FLUTD and can reduce the risk of urinary stones. Specific food lines offer wet and dry food, usually under the term “Urinary”, which have been specially developed to promote the desired pH value of the urine, dissolve urinary crystals and subsequently prevent them. These reduce the occurrence of struvite and calcium oxalate stones. An example of this is Hill's Prescription Diet Urinary Care food to support the urinary tract.

In addition, litter trays should always be clean and sufficiently available to avoid stress and uncleanliness. It can also help to try out different types of sand and provide several litter trays.

FLUTD is a serious disease which can have serious consequences if left untreated. Early signs should not be ignored. Early diagnosis, targeted treatment and preventive measures help give your velvet paw a healthy, symptom-free life.