FELINE LOWER URINARY TRACT DISEASE

Squatting in the litter box with no urine produced

Crying in the litter box

Urinating outside of the litter box, frequently on tile floors, bathtubs and sinks

Vomiting, not eating, discomfort

Bladder stones

Urinary crystals and mucus obstructing the urethra

Idiopathic cystitis- A very common type of medical urinary problem we see recently. It is a term used when a cat has all the symptoms of lower urinary tract disease and exhaustive diagnostic tests do not reveal a known cause. Many researchers believe this syndrome in cats is similar to a disease in human women called interstitial cystitis in which there are hemorrhages in the wall of the bladder and excruciating pain. There is no known cause of this problem in humans, although it has been proven that stress plays a large role in the development of symptoms. Interstitial cystitis is diagnosed in humans by detecting hemorrhages in the bladder wall with a fiber optic camera (the procedure is called cystoscopy). Similar bladder hemorrhages have been seen in cats in which there is no other known cause for their urinary symptoms. Unfortunately the availability of a camera so tiny to fit inside a cat’s urethra is very limited at this time to certain veterinary universities and specialty practices.

Bacterial bladder infection- This is very uncommon in young cats. It is seen commonly in cats older than 10 years of age because these cats often have concurrent diseases (such as diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism) that cause dilute urine.

Anatomical abnormalities, cancer, and neurological problems are rare causes.

Urinalysis – to detect blood, inflammation, crystals (often signifying bladder stones), and evidence of infection

Urine culture and sensitivity – allows lab to grow bacteria present in the urine and determine which antibiotic would be the most effective. This tests confirms the presence or absence of bladder infection.

Abdominal radiographs (X-rays) – helps us to determine bladder size, shape appearance and presence of bladder and urethral stones.

Contrast cystogram (X-rays of the bladder after a dye and gas have been added to the bladder). It helps to determine if invisible stones are present and if the bladder wall is irregular.

Bladder stones are usually removed surgically.

Crystals and excessive mucus, if causing an obstruction, must be flushed out of the bladder via a urinary catheter.

Idiopathic cystitis can be managed in many ways: pain medication, urinary muscle relaxants, fluid therapy to flush out the bladder, and various anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful. Most cats have their symptoms disappear in 7-10 days.

Urinary tract disease tends to reoccur in many cats. Preventive measures are very important in minimizing the reoccurring episodes.

If bladder stones or crystals are present, veterinary prescription diets prevent reoccurrence of the disease in most cases. Periodic testing of the urine and twice yearly X-rays are recommended for cats that had surgery or urinary blockage.

For cases of idiopathic cystitis, the most important preventive steps are minimizing stress (stress for a cat is usually any change in their environment or routine) and increasing moisture in the diet. Moisture can be increased by switching to canned food from dry or wetting dry food with water or providing the cat with a water fountain to encourage drinking. Anti-anxiety drugs are also helpful for many cats.