To a veterinarian, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is among the most infuriating syndromes they see. Cats have to urinate more often and in unpleasant positions because of their condition. Complete obstruction of the urethra causes excruciating pain and death if not treated.
There is usually no clear explanation for why some cats develop urinary crystals, stones, or infection. Cat owners can take consolation in the knowledge that their vigilance, the right food, and stress management will pay dividends for their furry friend. Prompt veterinarian care is essential for a good outcome regardless of the underlying cause. Any pet parent worth their kitty’s feline should know what to look for in the early stages of urinary tract disease.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Problems in Cats
Most moderate cases of litter box urination in cats are characterized by frequent, but inconsequential, urination. Feline guardians may discover blood in the litter box. When cats learn that the litter box is a painful place for them to be, they may start to relieve themselves elsewhere. Read up on the issue of dirty litter boxes.
However, many cats will experience a recurrence within a year, even if the first infection clears up in 5-7 days. This prevents the cat from relieving themselves at all, which might lead to frustration. Straining in the litter box is commonly misdiagnosed by pet owners as constipation, leading them to choose to watch the situation rather than intervene and save their pet’s life. In its latter stages, feline depression can cause the animal to become unresponsive or possibly cause death.
Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Problems in Cats
The only way to tell if a cat has a problem with its lower urinary system is to have it examined by a vet. It’s possible that your vet will suggest the following exams:
- When the urethra is stopped, it is possible to feel a painfully enlarged bladder.
- The presence of crystals, blood, or pathogenic pathogens can be detected using urinalysis. Fewer than 5 percent of these cats actually appear with an active urinary tract infection; most instances are sterile, which surprises many cat owners.
- Urinary stones, which appear as white specks on an x-ray, are a common enough condition to warrant an examination of the urinary system. Roughly 10–20% of cbecausees suffer from urolithiasis, a disorder characterized by the presence of urinary stones.
- Electrolyte imbalances can be fatal in cats in a critical state of illness; this is especially true for those with full blockages; hence, bloodwork is required.
Prognosis for Urinary Tract Problems in Cats
(The outlook is fair to good for cats that don’t have obstructions.)
Cats, especially young adult males, can get crystals, stones, or a clog of cells and mucous in their urethra. To a large extent, these occurrences can be mitigated, if not entirely eliminated, through careful control of the surrounding environment.
In general, the longer-term outlook for cats with blockage is related to their overall health when they are first presented. A high potassium blood level has been linked to cardiac arrhythmias in critically unwell cats. Many felines are prone to recurrences, thus cat par usuallynts should be very watchful with felines who have a history of blockages and bring them in at the first indication of straining.
Treatment for Urinary Tract Problems in Cats
- There is a focus on pain relief with suitable pain meds and stress reduction for cats that present with no illness, stones, or crystals in the urwithine. The usage of https://www.petfinder.com/tags/enrichment/ to improve the home environment in a way that reduces stress is an important part of stress management. Anxiety medication may be necessary for cats with severe anxiety.
- Long-term dietary changes are typically necessary for cats with crystals or stones in order to maintain an optimal urine pH. Surgery may be necessary to remove particularly large stones.
- When cats experience blockages, they need to be rushed to the vet right away. To relieve pressure on the bladder, cystocentesis (the removal of urine via needle through the abdominal wall) is often performed. Under general anesthesia, the veterinarian may need to insert a urinary catheter to unblock the urethra. Depending on how severe their symptoms are, these cats may need to be hospitalized for multiple days.
The vet may suggest a perineal urethrostomy if the cat has repeated episodes of blockage. The fundamental reasons of inflammation remain even after surgery to expand the urethra and prevent additional obstruction.
Feline upper respiratory tract disease (FLUTD) causes anxiety in both cats and their owners. Parents of cats may be disheartened to realize that this is often a lifelong issue. An excruciating illness resembling interstitial cystitis is thought to be triggered by stress in many cases.
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