Have you ever seen a Cat who struggles to urinate? Does your Cat’s urine analysis show crystals and perhaps even blood cells?
Then, your furry friend most probably has feline lower urinary tract disease, also known as FLUTD. It is a disease that occurs in both male and female Cats, and if left untreated, could become a recurring problem that could lead to an emergency.
CAUSES OF CAT CRYSTALS
The cause of FLUTD is largely unknown. While there are factors that could lead to crystal formation, which is a symptom of FLUTD, the disease itself can occur even in Cats who don’t have risk factors.
In some instances, bladder stones are believed to be due to stress, but it could also be due to excess magnesium, ammonium, or phosphorus in the food that your Cat consumes. These minerals, especially phosphorus, can cause the formation of struvite crystals and, eventually, stones.
Cats affected by the disease to urinate in places where they are not supposed to urinate, and due to their inflamed urinary track, there may be some blood in you Cat’s urine. Inflammation happened because of the ongoing infection and irritation of the lining of both the urinary bladder and urethra. If you found blood, it’s best to go to your veterinarian.
KIBBLE CAUTION
Cats who are not fed species-appropriate food — that is, those who are often given dry food or kibble — are at risk for many diseases, including FLUTD.
Kibble is extremely lacking in hydration, and Cats normally get their water from their food. The amount of water they get when they drink from their bowl isn’t enough to make up for the lack of hydration from a dry diet. In fact, if an otherwise healthy Cat drinks a lot of water, it means they do so because they’re quite thirsty, which is already a sign of dehydration.
Cats fed with wet food drink very little from their water bowls. This matches their natural behavior out in the wild where they get hydration from the prey they catch.
DRY FOOD DISCLAIMER
Some dry cat food formulated for Cats with crystals in their bladder could temporarily help flush out the crystals, as the high salt content leads to water retention and, eventually, higher urine output.
However, these types of dry food are not meant to treat the cause of FLUTD; they are just a band-aid solution.
TREATING FLUTD
FLUTD treatment includes pain medication, which is important to relieve distress during urination manifested by meowing or howling. It also helps alleviate frequent urination, which might happen if they’re experiencing urinary tract discomfort.
Changing their diet by lessening magnesium, ammonium, and phosphorus is also one way to avoid FLUTD in Cats without resorting to surgeries. Most importantly, go to a vet if the symptoms are severe.
Acidification of urine may be recommended if the stones are alkaline (struvite). Oxalate stones will get worse with acidification. Human guardians must understand that a bladder that is distended for a prolonged period might rupture. Treatment of crystals and stones in this case can save a Cat’s life.
URINARY BLOCKAGE IN MALE CATS
The urinary tract in male Cats has narrower parts that make them more prone to urinary blockage from FLUTD. If the blockage keeps recurring, it might be hard to catch in a timely manner. They might then need surgery where the narrow parts are removed to prevent blockage that leads to bladder rupture.
Called perineal urethrostomy, this surgical procedure that is usually done on male Cats with urinary blockage can help save their lives if performed by an expert surgeon. It isn’t without risks, but it does buy them time so that they don’t experience life-threatening urinary blockage while any identified risks for FLUTD are in the process of being corrected.
Dr. Emmanuel D. Macapagal is the 2000-2001 president of the Philippine Animal Hospital Association, Inc.
