VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), sometimes referred to by its previous name, Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS), is a disease that is frequently related to the buildup of mineral crystals in a cat's urine. This can lead to inflammation of the bladder lining and urethra. In more serious cases, the crystals progress to a point that a plug is formed, causing a blockage, or obstruction, in the urinary tract.

It is estimated that FLUTD occurs in approximately 1% of all cats, affecting males and females alike. However, due to their narrow urethra, males are more susceptible to blockage.

There are two common types of urine crystals. The first, struvite, is a combination of 3 minerals. It is more common in young adult cats and is usually treated with a special diet

that dissolves the crystals. The second type is composed of the mineral calcium oxalate; this is more common in older cats. Oxalate crystals cannot be addressed with diet, and may require surgical treatment.

A cat with urethral obstruction who cannot urinate is in grave danger and must be seen immediately by a veterinarian. When the urethra is blocked, the kidneys can no longer remove toxins from the blood or maintain a proper balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. This can quickly lead to heart or renal failure. The time from complete obstruction until death can be less than 24 hours, so immediate treatment is essential.

The disease can strike at any age, though the average age at diagnosis is 4. I share my home with three male cats who have been diagnosed with FLUTD: Bleys, who was 16 when diagnosed; Merlin, who was 10 when diagnosed; and Caine, who was 6 when diagnosed.

Causes

The crystals are caused by several factors, many of which are poorly understood. Two common causes are diet and a prior history of urinary tract infections.

Researchers have found that the higher (or more alkaline) the pH level of a cat's urine, the greater the tendency for struvite crystals to form. High-quality cat foods help keep urine pH in the low (acidic) range, helping to prevent struvite crystals. Unfortunately, this acidic urine now predisposes cats to the development of calcium oxalate crystals.

Symptoms

Although FLUTD symptoms vary from cat to cat, there are some common ones to watch for. Seek veterinary care immediately if you recognize any of these symptoms.

• Constant trips to the cat box
  
• Straining to urinate (some owners may confuse this with signs of constipation) with little or no urine output
  
• Crying in pain when attempting to urinate
  
• Blood in urine
  
• Urination outside the litter box (often on cool, smooth surfaces like a tile floor or a bathtub)
  

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