If you notice your cat is having difficulty urinating, she may be suffering a urinary tract infection. Look out for the symptoms and consult your vet immediately.
Treating FLUTD
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is used to describe a number of urinary tract conditions including obstructions and inflammations in the cat's bladder. FLUTD means your cat has difficulty or is unable to urinate.
If crystals form in the urine, urination can become very painful and can cause inflammation or obstruction of the urinary tract.
If urine cannot be passed, the bladder soon fills up to capacity and may rupture, releasing its contents into the abdominal cavity. The cat can then die from shock and peritonitis. Blockage is more common in male cats, as the male urethra is much narrower than in the female.
Causes
FLUTD is more likely to affect cats that are overweight and lack exercise but any cat that is very reluctant to urinate is at risk.
There are many causes of FLUTD including viral or bacterial infections, stress, a lack of water, too much magnesium in the diet, obesity, or a lack of exercise.
Consult your vet immediately, as the condition can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Symptoms
Look out for signs that can be very similar to constipation such as straining in the litter box, crying when trying to urinate, frequent urination with little result and blood in the urine.
In male cats the urethra can become blocked by deposits that form in the bladder. Your cat may keep licking the genital area or anus, and the abdomen may look bloated.
Treatment
Take a fresh sample of your cat’s urine so your vet can run a pH test. Treatment will depend on whether there are crystals in your cat's urine and what type.
Antibiotics may solve the problem. However, the most important step is for your cat to increase their fluid intake:
- Mix extra water with tinned food.
- Always provide fresh clean water and use extra water bowls around the house.
- Use bigger water bowls as some cats don't like drinking because their whiskers touch the sides.
- Fill water bowls right to the very top as cats often like to see their reflection.
- Your cat will get used to the taste of the water you are providing, so be careful if you install a water filter or move house.
- Avoid over-feeding your cat with foods that are high in magnesium, such as pork, beef, heart and oily fish. Your vet may recommend a special prescription diet, to produce urine with the correct pH level.