Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a term that encompasses several conditions that affect the lower urinary system and bladder of cats. Often these conditions can, cause extreme pain and discomfort if left untreated. Three of the most common causes of FLUTD are:
- Cystitis: Irritation of the bladder
- Urinary stones/crystals
- Urethral obstruction (obstruction of the urethra)

Although FLUTD can affect all cats, males are at a greater risk than females as they have a longer, narrower urethra (a urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body). Should your cat have FLUTD, you may notice some of the following symptoms: straining to urinate, blood in the urine, increased frequency of urination, crying when your puss is in the litter box, and urinating in random places around your home.

FLUTD can be an extremely painful ordeal for cats to endure. A cat that suffers from a blocked urethra, and who fails to urinate is classed as a medical emergency. If treatment is not sort immediately, the condition may lead to death..

Quite often cats will be sent home from the clinic only to come back very soon after. Unfortunately the recurrence of a blocked urethra is a quite common. Although a vet must treat a cat with a blocked urethra, your vet may also prescribe specific medication and a special diet for the rest of it's life. These special diets help to prevent any infection from returning. Your vet will more than likely tell you about these diets and give you all relevant instructions for a case like this. I know it's hard but handing snacks out under the table won't be allowed anymore as normal food can trigger off the infection again. Be strong because you will be doing the right thing for your cat.

Lauren

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