Feline lower urinary tract disease is a very common condition in cats, particularly amongst indoor cats. It is thought to be a painful, inflammatory condition of the bladder and lower urinary tract. Most cases are idiopathic, meaning that we do not understand why they occur, although stress is thought to play a significant role.
Symptoms:
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Frequent urination with little or no urine
- Vocalizing during urination
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent licking of the genitals, especially immediately after urinating
- Straining to urinate
Diagnostics:
Diagnosis can be challenging, and other possible causes, such as urinary tract infection and bladder stones, need to be ruled out first. Recommended diagnostics include:
- Urinalysis with urine culture
- Blood chemistry panel
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Thyroid hormone level
- Bladder X-rays
- Bladder ultrasound
Treatment:
Treatment for lower urinary tract disease tends to be multifactorial and is aimed at:
- Diluting the urine, either by increasing water intake (adding water to canned food) or administering fluids under the skin
- Reducing inflammation
- Pain management
- Stress management, either through environmental enrichment and/or pharmacologic management with anti-anxiety medication
- Dietary management to both reduce inflammation and prevent urinary crystal and/or stone formation
Feline lower urinary tract disease is most likely an age-limiting disease in most cats as clinical signs tend to resolve as cats age and their urinary becomes more dilute due to age-related changes within the kidneys and/or the onset of kidney dysfunction.