What is FLUTD - And What Does it Have to Do With Cats?

FLUTD stands for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and refers to a variety of "plumbing problems" cats can experience - specifically problems with urination that develop in the lower urinary tract.  While all cats can experience FLUTD, it is more prevalent in male cats who are older, neutered and over weight.  So, if you have a boy cat in your home, you should be aware of FLUTD and what signs to look for if it becomes a problem for him.

FLUTD can appear in a variety of ways, including urinary crystals or stones, blockages and infections.  Sometimes the cause is obvious, like cysts or an infection, but a urinary problem may flare up for no obvious reason.  These cases are called idiopathic cystitis, which means there's an inflammation in the bladder that has no known cause.  Feline urinary problems can come on quickly and can be serious and potentially life-threatening.  So, as a pet parent who regularly scoops one or more litter boxes, it's a good idea to be aware of your cat's habits - how often they use the box and the quantity of urine usually there afterwards.

Not being able to urinate is very dangerous for cats.  Just like humans, the kidneys pull toxins from the blood and get rid of them through the lower digestive tract.  When that doesn't happen, toxins build up and can cause organ failure and even death.  There are specific behaviors and signs your cat might show if he is experiencing a FLUTD of some kind.  As the chart from catster.com shows, your cat may:
      - Cry when urinating
      - Excessively groom the genital area
      - Start urinating outside the litter box
      - Have problems urinating at all
      - Have blood in his urine

If you notice any of these things, get your cat to your vet right away.  If the vet suspects FLUTD, she will do a number of things to figure it out exactly what's causing it.  Knowing your cat's medical history will help with this diagnosis so make regular vet wellness visits throughout your cat's life.  To find cause of the problem, the vet will do a blood test, urinalysis, take an X-ray or do an ultrasound to look for visible blockages or stones, and possibly a biopsy of the bladder tissue.  All of these techniques will not only help determine the exact cause of the problem, but also how best to treat it.  Depending on the diagnosis, treatments can range from antibacterial or antibiotic medication to surgery to remove obstructions like stones.  If the vet discovers a urethral plug, immediate surgery maybe called for as a blocked urethra can cause total kidney failure in a short time.

In addition to any medication recommended by your vet, you might need to make some other changes in your cat's life to address FLUTD.  If your cat only eats dry food, start giving him canned food, too.  Special food that can reduce the chances of the same problem happening again might be needed for your cat as well certain supplements that can improve kidney health.  Be sure your cat is drinking plenty of water, which might mean adding a couple of additional water bowls around your house.  You'll also want to make sure your cat's litter box is scooped and cleaned daily.  Since being overweight is a factor for FLUTD, you may want to add some interactive toys and cat trees to increase activity.  All of the above used together will go a long way in keeping your cat healthy.

CLICK HERE to get a medical overview of FLUTD from icatcare.org

CLICK HERE to read one person's experience with their cat's FLUTD.