Lower urinary tract diseases in cats

Choroby dolnych dróg moczowych u kotów

Cats can be predatory, they fight for their own, they hunt and most importantly they DON'T APOLOGIZE! However, when your king of the jungle suddenly changes his behavior, it is most likely not without reason. Diseases make your pet moody, sometimes he clearly feels discomfort. One of the causes may be FLUTD. Sounds dangerous? Don't worry, today we will deal with this concept and preventive help in such cases.

Did you know that…

Cats can make about 100 different sounds, far superior to dogs, who can make about 10. These sounds include various types of meows, purrs, hisses, and other vocalizations. Interestingly, cats often adapt their sounds to communicate with humans, and their meows can have different meanings, such as a request for food, a desire to play, or to draw attention to something disturbing.

This vocal variety allows cats to communicate effectively with people and other animals. Each cat may have their own unique way of communicating, which is part of their charm and mystery. Some cats may make more vocalizations, such as meowing or whining, to signal that something is wrong.

 Pay attention to your pet's behavior and communication; perhaps he will try to notify you of the first symptoms of lower urinary tract disease.

FLUTD

(Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) is a group of diseases of the lower urinary tract in cats. It can include various diseases and symptoms related to the urinary bladder and urethra.

Typical symptoms of FLUTD include:

  • ·         frequent urination or attempts to urinate,
  • ·         painful urination,
  • ·         hematuria (presence of blood in the urine),
  • ·         urinating outside the litter box,
  • ·         discomfort or pain in the abdominal area.

Other signs of discomfort in your cat:

  • ·         hiding,
  • ·         increased aggression,
  • ·         excessive grooming,
  • ·         in appetite,
  • ·         vocalizations

CAUSES AND A BIT OF MEDICINE

FLUTD can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacterial infections, urinary stones, stress, obesity, poor diet, or idiopathic cystitis. Treatment depends on the cause and may include dietary changes, medications, increased water intake, and in some cases, surgical intervention. It is important to consult a veterinarian if FLUTD is suspected, as it can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

IDIOPATHIC CYSTITIS

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) is an inflammation of the urinary bladder in cats, the cause of which is unknown, hence the term "idiopathic". It is one of the most common forms of FLUTD.

FIC is often diagnosed by ruling out other causes of lower urinary tract problems, such as bacterial infections, urinary stones, or tumors.

Stress is considered a major factor that can cause or worsen the symptoms of FIC, so pay attention to your surroundings. Cats are, despite appearances, very sensitive animals, if something is causing tension in your pet, it is worth noticing and eliminating it.

Treatment for FIC usually focuses on stress management, dietary modifications (e.g. increasing water intake by feeding wet food), and in some cases the use of pain medications and anti-inflammatories. It is important to provide your cat with a calm and predictable environment, which can help to alleviate symptoms.

URINARY STONES

In this case, our cat is really sore, there is obvious difficulty in urinating, and even hematuria may occur. Whining or vocalizing while using the litter box is not fooling around…it is a serious matter.

Urinary stones in cats, also known as uroliths, are hard formations that form in the urinary tract as a result of the crystallization of minerals present in urine. They can occur in various locations in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. The most common types of urinary stones in cats are struvite and calcium oxalate stones.

The causes can be various. An improper diet with excess minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus or calcium can contribute to the formation of stones. Also, insufficient water in the diet leads to more concentrated urine, increasing the risk of crystallization. Some breeds of cats may be more prone to stone formation due to genetic predisposition... well... you can't fool genes. Urinary tract infections can also contribute to the formation of stones, especially struvite stones.

Diagnosing urinary stones usually involves a urinalysis, imaging tests such as X-rays or ultrasound, and sometimes chemical analysis of the stones if they are being surgically removed. Prevention is key for cats prone to urinary stones, so regular checkups with your veterinarian and a proper diet are extremely important.

We don’t meow…we heal!

Diet change: Wet cat food is recommended for cats after recovery from lower urinary tract disease because it contains much more water than dry food, which helps keep your cat properly hydrated. Good hydration is crucial for urinary tract health because it helps dilute urine and reduces the risk of crystals and urinary stones forming. An example of this is wet cat food from Animal Island.

Increasing water intake: Encouraging your cat to drink more water can help dilute the urine.

Medications: In some cases, antispasmodic or anti-inflammatory medications may be used.

Surgery: Surgical removal of stones may be necessary if they are too large or causing a blockage.

Catheterization: If the urethra becomes blocked, insertion of a catheter may be required.

MUCOUS PLUGS

Mucus plugs are another painful condition in cats. They are thickened forms of mucus that can build up in the urinary tract, leading to partial or complete blockage of urine flow. They are a common cause of lower urinary tract problems in cats, especially males, due to their narrow urethra.

Mucus plugs can be the result of excessive mucus production that occurs as a reaction to inflammation or irritation of the lining of the urinary tract. Another cause of mucus plugs can be the presence of mineral crystals that can bind with mucus to form a plug. An example of such crystals is struvite.

Diagnosis of mucus plugs typically includes a clinical examination, urinalysis, and imaging tests such as ultrasound or x-rays to assess the presence of the plugs and any crystals.

Treatment of mucus plugs:

Unblocking: If the urethra is blocked, it requires immediate veterinary intervention to remove the plug using a catheter.

Bladder flushing: Can be used to remove any remaining mucus and crystals.

Medications: Anti-inflammatories and antispasmodics may help relieve symptoms.

Dietary changes: Specialized diets from your veterinarian can help dissolve crystals and reduce mucus production.

Increase water intake: Ensuring adequate water intake is a key element in managing urinary health. The solution is to feed your cat wet food, which you will find in the Animal Island range, and encourage your pet to drink water.

BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

Bacterial Cystitis is relatively rare compared to other urinary problems. However, when it does occur, it can be problematic and requires appropriate treatment.

The most common cause is Escherichia coli bacteria, although other bacteria can also be responsible. It is worth noting that older cats or those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections. Urinary tract abnormalities or stress and other diseases can also be the cause.

When a cat has mimosa, a diagnosis is necessary:

Urine analysis: Allows detection of the presence of bacteria, blood and leukocytes.

Urine culture: Helps identify the specific type of bacteria responsible for the infection.

Imaging tests: In some cases, they can be used to assess the condition of the urinary tract.

When our poor cat has already been diagnosed with bacterial cystitis, we start treatment. The most common forms of health prevention in this case are:

Antibiotics: The primary treatment for bacterial cystitis. The choice of antibiotic depends on the results of urine culture and bacterial sensitivity.

Increase water intake: Helps dilute urine and flush bacteria from the bladder.

Diet: Can be adjusted to support urinary tract health.

Anti-inflammatory medications: These can be used to relieve pain and inflammation.

CONSEQUENCES OF SMALL SINS

Obesity and lack of physical activity can also be a cause of urinary problems. If your cat is more Boniface than Filemon, it's not entirely true that you can't change that. As a Guardian, you have a number of options to influence your cat; change its diet and encourage the lazy cat to be more physically active.

Obesity management and activity promotion:

Dietary Control: It is important to encourage your cat to eat wet food because it has fewer calories per volume than dry food, which can help maintain a healthy weight. Wet food is also often more appealing to cats in terms of taste and smell, which can be important if your cat has been ill and has a reduced appetite.

Promoting activity: Interactive toys, scratching posts, tunnels and playtime with the owner can help increase your cat's physical activity.

Monitoring weight: Regularly checking your cat's weight and consulting with your veterinarian can help maintain a healthy weight.

TRACKSUIT IS THE BEST FOR STRESS

The comfort of home and a comfortable tracksuit are associated with rest and relaxation. Similarly, your cat needs a constant environment, a clean litter box and regulated relationships with other household members to stay calm. Stress caused by a lack of emotional stability can affect your pet's health. Take care of their environment, look at their preferences and favorite routine and make them feel comfortable.

PREVENT IS BETTER THAN CURE

Regular check-ups with your veterinarian: Helps detect and treat health problems early.

Diet and stress management: Eating a proper diet and minimizing stress can help maintain a healthy urinary system.

Increasing water intake: Encouraging your cat to drink more water can help prevent infections.

 

In summary, lower urinary tract diseases are very troublesome for cats. The discomfort associated with this condition  can be observed based on the behavior of our pets. In such cases, you should react quickly and consult a veterinarian.

 

A man is civilized to the extent that he can understand a cat.

Jean Cocteau

   

See other entries

"

Leave a comment