Cystitis, FLUTD, and FIC

Urinary issues are among the most common health concerns for cats. A term that frequently comes up is cystitis. Cystitis means there is inflammation in the bladder. This can be caused by many different conditions.

With cats, diseases of the bladder and urethra are commonly grouped under the term feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).

When all known origins of FLUTD have been ruled out, the remaining diagnosis is called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), meaning the exact reason for disease has not been determined.

Clinical Signs

    Clinical signs relate inflammation and irritation of the lower urinary tract, including:

    • Increased frequency of urination
    • Difficulty or straining to urinate
    • Blood in the urine
    • Foul smelling urine
    • Urinating in abnormal places
    • Increased grooming of the genitals
    • Inability to urinate (complete urethral obstruction)

    With a urinary tract obstruction, seek immediate veterinary care as it can be a painful, life-threatening condition if untreated.

    Potential Causes of FLUTD

    There are many potential causes of FLUTD, including:

    • Urinary stones or crystals
    • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
    • Neoplasia (tumours)
    • Abnormal urinary tract anatomy
    • Urethral plugs
    • Trauma
    • Idiopathic (about 50% of cases)

    Diagnosing FLUTD

    Your veterinarian will take into account the clinical signs exhibited at home, a hands-on physical exam, and laboratory findings to diagnose FLUTD.

    Laboratory tests to diagnose FLUTD may include urinalysis, bloodwork, and abdominal imaging.

    Further diagnostics may involve taking a bacterial culture of the urine to better determine the presence of an infection.

    Treatment of FLUTD

    Treatment can vary due to the multiple underlying causes of FLUTD.

    Treatment may be symptomatic with pain relief, dietary modification, or potentially antibiotics if an infection was identified.

    However, if a cat has a complete urinary obstruction, this is a true emergency, and the blockage must be resolved. This typically means a sedation to place a urinary catheter. Hospitalisation with fluid therapy is often recommended to reduce the risk of re-blocking.

    If bladder stones have be identified, surgical removal may be indicated in conjunction with prescription dietary modification to dissolve the stones.

    Overall, treatment of FLUTD is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Every individual should be thoroughly examined to identify the underlying cause for the most appropriate treatment. Unfortunately, despite treatment, clinical signs be recur, prompting further investigation.

    Prevention of FLUTD

    Complete prevention of FLUTD occurring is a very difficult goal. However, some potential contributing factors have been identified:

    • Appropriate water consumption
    • Encouraging exercise
    • Weight control
    • Minimising environmental stressors
    • Prescription urinary diet (when indicated)
    • Environmental enrichment

    Please consult with a veterinarian to assess what patient-specific modifications may be indicated to reduce likelihood of FLUTD.