Overview
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease ( FLUTD) is a common disorder of the feline urinary tract. It is also known as Idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease (ILUTD). At one time, this disease was known as Feline Urolithiasis Syndrome (FUS). It is difficult to say what the exact cause of FLUTD is because much about this disease remains unknown. In fact, idiopathic means "cause unknown". Factors such as diet, inadequate water intake, obesity, bacteria, viruses, and stress have all been implicated.
Common Symptoms of FLUTD
Cats that have this disease usually exhibit frequent squatting and straining to urinate only to produce small amounts of urine or no urine at all. Failure to use the litter box, urinating in inappropriate places (such as a sink, bathtub, or beside the litter box), and blood-tinged urine are also signs that your cat may have FLUTD.
FLUTD can manifest itself in many ways. Some cats may get an inflammation of the urinary bladder (i.e. a cystitis), which can lead to an accumulation of blood, mucus, and cellular debris in the bladder. In a few cases, this may lead to a bladder infection, since the blood, mucus and other debris associated with an inflamed bladder provides an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
FLUTD can affect cats of all ages. Both male and female cats are susceptible to the formation of crystals and stones in the bladder. In female cats, crystallization of dissolved minerals in the urine (struvite or oxalate) may lead to the formation of bladder stones, or uroliths. In male cats, the result could be the formation of plugs which can block the flow of urine, leading to a urinary tract blockage. If a cat is unable to urinate, its kidneys cannot expel the poisonous wastes from the body. Unless the blockage is promptly relieved, the cat will suffer a painful death. Straining to urinate, depression, weakness, vomiting, and collapse, if left untreated, could rapidly lead to coma and death. These clinical signs should prompt an immediate call to your veterinarian.