"This next one is a REAL bad one - pwease take your kitties in wight away if they have any of the stuff below. I didn't wike it - I was in awot of pain and verwy sad!"





FELINE LOWER URINARY TRACT DISEASE (FLUTD) also known as FELINE URINARY SYNDROME (FUS)

This is a VERY SERIOUS DISEASE! If left untreated, the outcome can be death! This disease affects the cat's urinary bladder and/or the urethra (this is a tube-like structure that leads from the bladder to outside the cat's body). Neutered male cats are affected more because their urethra is long, narrow and curved.

Signs of this disease in stage 1 (inflammation of bladder) are:

Prolonged squatting or straining in or out of the litter box and not producing urine or only a very small amount
Pain while urinating (meowing/howling)
Urinating outside of the litter box
Frequent licking of the genital area
Blood in urine

Signs of the disease in stage 2 (urethral obstruction) are:

Weakness
Vomiting
Depression
Collaspe





The first sign I noticed was Simba going from litter box to litter box - about 6 times in an hour and would come out hissing and growling (which he never does!) He would then sit on the floor and lift one of his back legs as if to clean himself-but wouldn't-he'd just sit with his leg up (his vet explained his penis hurt and Simba did this to try to relieve the pain). Simba then started to 'stoop' around the house, trying to relieve himself anywhere possible.



Simba not feeling well, sleeping with pal "Steve" the Trout


Generally what is first is Cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection) which is an inflammation of the lining and wall of the urinary bladder. This may be followed then by the urinary blockage - some cats will develop 'crystals' in their urine. In male cats the crystals can block the urethra preventing urination even though his bladder is full. The most common crystals are struvite, composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate and calcium oxalate. Also Uremia can develop (kidney failure).





Causes of this disease vary, here are some factors that can contribute to the devolpement:

Bacterial or viral infections
Trauma
Crystals in urine
Bladder stones
Tumors of the urinary tract
Congential abnormalities
Not drinking enough water
Food too high in magnesium or minerals
Too much acidity or alkalinity of the urine
Stress





The diagnosis of the disease will be by your vet after an exam of your kitty. The cats bladder may be small and thickened or very large and distended. The vet will press on the cats bladder to see if it can urinate, or if it is blocked up. Bladder stones at this time may also be felt.

If your kitty can urinate, this is collected for tests. If unable to urinate, a fine needle will have to be inserted into the cat's bladder through the abdomen. Your kitty will not be hurt, in fact it will be a relief for him that he is having the pressure of the urine gone. The tests will indicate if there are crystals, bacteria, blood or white blood cells in the urine. The urine PH (a high level is 6.6 and up - crystals form at this point and cause blockage) and how concetrated the urine is will also be tested. If stones, tumors or congenital abnormalties are suspected, x-rays will be done or a dye can be passed into the bladder. A blood test may be done if your cat is blocked-the vet needs to see if any problems due to uremic poisoning (toxic buildup of internal wastes) has taken place, such as renal failure.





There are several options for treatment of this disease-it can depend if your cat is blocked or not. Your cat most likely will be given special food, a diet he is to remain on for the rest of his life. High levels of magnesium in foods is a factor to the crystals forming in your cat. Simba is now eating

Royal Canin Urinary So.

This product is only available through your vet. It is clinically proven to reduce the reoccurrence of clinical signs of feline idiopathic or interstitial cystitis. Effectively dissolves pure struvite uroliths. And Increasing the urine volume simultaneously reduces the saturation of urine with calcium oxalate and struvite preventing the two major types of urolithiasis.

Best yet about the food is that he LOVES it & it is ideal for use in multiple adult cat households-like ours! Since water intake in encouraged, after Simba's diagnosis I started giving him at least 8 syringes full of water a day in his little mouth, I cut back as he got better. I ordered the

DrinkWell Pet Fountain

to encourage the intake of more water-you know how kittys love the faucet! This fountain will supply running water for health and fun for your cat! If the diagnosis is that kitty is blocked, he will be admitted into the hospital and fluids will be given to him intravenously, he will also have a catheter placed in the urethra to free up the crystals, then into the bladder to flush it out and stop the formation of more crystals. Your cat may receive an antibiotic to take home with you from the vet. Simba thankfully never became fully obstructed. He was first treated with an antibiotic for bacteria, after a week he didn't improve too much, so then he was put on an anitbiotic for a virus and started getting better. If it is determined that tumors or an congenital abnormalty is the factor, surgery may be required.





Hopefully your kitty will get an early diagnosis & most cats who are can be treated successfully. Your vet's rules must be followed exactly! If kitty is not diagnosed early or failure to follow your vets rules leads to full obstruction, your cat will become very ill, develop kidney damage and possibly die! If you suspect any of the symptoms stated above-contact your vet immediately! Again, only hours will determine your cat surviving or not!

Typically cats 2-6 years old, overweight and neutered are at risk for FLUTD. Females almost never get blocked due to their urethra being shorter and wider. Their symptoms are usually frequent, bloody urination, often outside the litter box.

This experience with Simba was very frightening and I feared "what if he doesn't get better?!" I couldn't imagine my world without my Simba. I watch more closely now as he goes into the litter box, and I 'listen' - let me tell you, the sound of pee never sounded so good!


Simba, "Take my hand, take my whole life too, Cause I can't help falling in love with You!" Mommy will always take care of you, my precious baby boy!



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Disclaimer: This page represents an amateur's attempt to compile information about the 2 feline diseases listed above which is currently available on the Internet. This has been done to hopefully give a better understanding of these diseases which cause so much pain to our kitties. The author cannot be held responsible for any of the information on this page or on any pages with a link back to this page. Please consult a qualified Vet if your cat develops any symptoms stated above.