Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is an umbrella term used to refer to various bladder and urethral disorders. Difficulty in passing urine, painful micturition, passing blood in urine, pee accidents inside the home, eliminating outside the litter box, partial/complete urethral blockage, and frequent and abnormal urination are a few common urinary concerns that fall under this disease’s bracket.

Although it is considered a treatable minor health issue, you never know when it will escalate to something more significant. Take your furry baby to the vet as soon as you identify symptoms because early diagnosis and treatment can save your fur ball from much misery. It is essential to check the disease progress right in the beginning to avoid life-threatening situations and potentially hefty vet bills.

Consider being prepared with kitten insurance in NZ early in your cat’s life. Kitten insurance helps lower undue financial stress in times like these and many others. Contemplate purchasing a policy in the best interests of your cat’s health and protect the savings in your bank account. Meanwhile, read this article to learn important information related to FLUTD.

Signs

Learning to spot the signs early is crucial to getting timely medical help and setting your cat on the path to health and happiness. Suppose you notice the below-mentioned signs meet your vet asap.

• Bloody urine.
• Cloudy urine.
• Inability to pass urine comfortably.
• Unable to urinate.
• Passing a small volume of urine.
• Repeated trips to the litter box.
• Frequent urination.
• Strained urination accompanied by pain.
• Not being able to urinate quickly.
• Avoiding/fearing litter box.
• Urinating outside the litter box.
• Excessive licking at the urinary hole.
• Hard/distended abdomen.
• Lethargy.
• Vomits.
• Diarrhea.

Causes

Although cats can be affected by FLUTD regardless of gender, it is observed that male cats are more vulnerable to this disease than female cats. Some of the most common causes of FLUTD are listed below for reference.

• Urethral plug.
• Urinary bladder infection/inflammation.
• Accumulation of stones, crystals, or debris in bladder/urethra.
• Endocrine malfunctions.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Diabetes.
• Injured urinary tracts.
• Tumors within urinary tracts.
• Stress and anxiety.
• Poor hygiene.

Treatment

Contact your vet immediately if your cat shows one or more of the above symptoms. Persistent urinary blockage can prove fatal if not attended to asap. Such a condition can rupture the bladder or cause renal failure.

Suppose it happens to your cat, then handle it delicately. It is advisable not to press on the bladder at any point. Allow your vet to physically examine your cat and confirm FLUTD. After diagnosis, your vet will suggest the right course of treatment.

Typically, vets recommend medications like antibiotics, increasing water intake, and dietary changes to resolve the issue. Urinary acidifiers help with stone expulsion through the urethra, or urinary catheters may be used to clear the blockages in the tract. In severe cases, a cat will require surgery to get rid of the large stones and tumors. Surgery can also be a solution to correct the congenital abnormality.

The cat specialist will also recommend post-operative care that includes drinking lots of water, incorporating wet food into your cat’s diet, and cutting down on dry food to prevent further FLUTD occurrences.

Testing and treatments associated with unexpected vet visits can cost you a good chunk of your savings, so consider being prepared with kitten insurance NZ. Kitten insurance helps manage unplanned vet bills more effectively without compromising the quality of medical care during distressing health scenarios. So, why not contemplate buying a policy?