FLUTD in cats or. FLUTD FLUTD is a collective term for various diseases of the lower urinary tract in cats, including the bladder and urethra, which are associated with difficulty and pain during urination. FLUTD stands for "Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease" and is an acronym formed from the initial letters of the English term.

Which cats are affected by FLUTD?

FLUTD typically affects indoor cats. Outdoor cats almost never suffer from this disease, while cats in multi-cat households are more susceptible. Obesity, lack of exercise, a diet consisting primarily or exclusively of dry food, and stress further increase the risk of developing this disease. Stress factors can include moving house or family changes such as the arrival of a baby or a new partner.

Triggers for FLUTD

There are essentially three triggers for FLUTD:

• Very often the underlying cause of the disease is sterile cystitis of unknown cause, which in technical jargon is called idiopathic cystitis This condition is referred to as urinary tract infections. Veterinarians suspect that stress is ultimately responsible for the nerve irritation in the bladder wall. In male cats, shed inflammatory cells in the urine can be life-threatening because their urethra is severely constricted towards the tip of the penis. A plug of mucosal particles can quickly obstruct the ureter, leading to a sandy bladder sludge that blocks the flow of urine.
• bladder grit It is also often responsible for painful urinary tract infections. Cats are very prone to developing such urinary crystals, whose sharp edges can irritate the bladder wall. As former desert dwellers, cats have the ability to reabsorb a lot of water from the urine they produce in their kidneys, thus conserving water. This leads to the relatively easy precipitation of mineral salts such as struvite or calcium oxalate.
• One bacterial bladder infection FLUTD can also be triggered, but this is rather rare in cats.

Symptoms in cats with FLUTD

Symptoms of FLUTD include severe Urgency to urinate, dribbling during urination, Blood in urine and Pain when trying to empty the bladder. Many cats cry out in pain. In severe cases, the urethra can even become completely blocked by bladder stones, inflammatory cells, or spasms. After just a few hours, the bladder becomes distended and fills half of the abdominal cavity. If urination is prevented, toxins accumulate in the body, leading to electrolyte imbalances in the blood.

They are dangerous elevated potassium levels, the Cardiac arrhythmias This condition can trigger other serious complications. It is life-threatening, and the animal should be taken to a veterinary clinic as an emergency. In the late stages, the urinary retention can progress to the kidney tissue, leading to acute kidney failure. If left untreated, the patient can die.

Treatment of a FLUTD cat

Treatment for FLUTD depends on the cause and severity of the disease. In cats that are Struvite crystals For example, there may be specific tendencies. Diet food to prevent the formation of new bladder stones.

• If a Urinary retention If this condition is present, it may be necessary to insert a catheter into the animal under anesthesia in order to empty and flush the bladder.
• With milder forms FLUTD can be treated intravenously. Infusion therapy This is sufficient to flush the urinary tract and normalize kidney function. Anti-inflammatory medications are also often used.
• If a spasm to blockade has led to the urethra, corresponding Muscle relaxants administered.
• With more severe forms, especially if the tip of the penis is narrowed, ultimately only surgical widening of the urethra is possible.

Can FLUTD be prevented?

Unfortunately, the risk of relapse in FLUTD is very high, especially in cats that have previously suffered from idiopathic cystitis. A corresponding FLUTD Management Staying home can help minimize the risk of recurrence.

• For example, we recommend that Increase fluid intake, by providing multiple drinking options in the apartment.
• Also separate feeding areas They are recommended for multi-cat households.
• One Switching from dry to wet food This can also be useful.
• If the animal overweight If necessary, games and climbing opportunities can encourage the urge to move and low-calorie food offer.
• There should always be Sufficiently clean litter boxes available. Stressors should be avoided or reduced, and in some cases, feline pheromones can also be used to reduce aggression between cats.
• Stressors should be avoided or reduced, and in some cases, cat-specific pheromones can also be used to reduce aggression between cats.