Feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD) was initially called “feline urologic syndrome” (FUS) or urolitiasis. feline urinary tract disease affects the bladder and sometimes the urethra. The term feline urinary tract disease is very vast and refers to several deficiencies of the feline urinary tract, so if you want to know about feline urinary tract disease or infection symptoms you should start reading.



What are feline urinary tract disease or infection symptoms? FELINE URINARY TRACT DISEASE is a serious condition and if it goes untreated it could result in the death of the cat. The feline urinary tract disease or infection symptoms are as follows: -Going to the litter box often (some owners may confuse this sign with the signs of constipation) but without urinating or urinating in small quantities; -Urinating frequently or never; -Presenting pain during urination (meowing in a woeful tone); -Urinating outside the litter box; -Frequently licking the genital area; -Vomiting; -Showing signs of a depressive state.



In some cats affected by FELINE urinary tract disease there are crystals in the urine. In the males, these crystals can block the urethra and the cat might no longer be able to urinate even though the bladder is full. Sometimes there can be one single crystal formed that blocks the urethra. For such cases there is the term of urethral blockage.

What are the causes for feline urinary tract disease?- The factors that contribute to the occurrence of this disease are: bacterial or viral infections, trauma, crystals in urine, bladder stones, tumors in the urinary tract and congenital anomalies. In most cases, the main cause remains unknown. Other factors that cause feline urinary tract disease may include an insufficient amount of water drunk, a diet with a high content of magnesium and other minerals, acidity that is too high or alkalinity of the urine, stress.

How is feline urinary tract disease diagnosed? - The veterinarian performs a physical examination. Here, the doctor could notice either a small and restricted bladder or a large and expanded bladder. The veterinarian will press on the bladder (the action is called “bladder outlining”) to see if the cat can urinate or the urethra is blocked. This action also allows feeling if there are any bladder stones present.

If the cat is able to urinate, the urine is collected in a clean special container. If the cat has a blockage, a urine sample is collected by a procedure called “cystocentesis”, where an abdominal puncture is performed. The procedure is not painful, and in most cases the cat will feel better because the procedure allows easing the pressure in the bladder.



The veterinarian will then perform an examination of the urine, which will show if there are any crystals, bacteria, blood or white cells in the composition; then the specialist will determine pH levels and the concentration of the urine (called “specific gravitation”). There can also be some X-rays performed to highlight any stones, tumors or congenital anomalies there may be. To highlight anomalies, there are colored substances introduced in the bladder. There can also be a blood test performed, because cats with blockage could show many problems associated with the “stagnation” of urine in the body. These problems require additional therapy.