Page 69 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

Urinary disorders

The urinary system comprises the kidneys, which filter blood and generate
urine, and the bladder and urethra, through which urine is expelled. Problems
in the urinary system can be serious and need prompt medical attention.

Signs of a problem
■ Squatting frequently but passing
only a little urine
■ Crying when urinating
■ Washing under tail excessively
■ Frequently passing a lot of urine
■ Change in color of urine from
normal pale yellow
■ Passing cloudy rather than 67
clear urine
■ Urinating outside litter box
or in unusual places
■ Increased thirst

◁ Cat licking under tail △ Urinary disorders and stress Urinary disorders
Pain in the urethra, or irritation from urine, may Physical or emotional stress may aggravate FLUTD,
cause cats to lick their genital areas excessively. by increasing muscle activity in the bladder or
This can lead to inflammation and hair loss. reducing the cat’s resistance to infection.

of FLUTD. Cats fed on a dry diet, CKD
with insufficient access to water, Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
may also develop it. Signs include is the most common disorder
frequent unsuccessful attempts to in older cats. Gradually the
urinate, pain when passing urine, kidneys become less efficient
FLUTD dark (bloody) or cloudy urine, and at filtering out waste, causing
Feline lower urinary tract disease excessive licking of the genitals. toxins to build up in the body.
(FLUTD) is a general term for You should contact your vet if your Other causes include genetic
disorders of the bladder and the cat is obviously struggling or is in disease (see also “Polycystic
urethra. Causes may include stress, pain. Inability to urinate can lead kidney disease” on p.46),
stones or crystals in the bladder, to kidney failure. The vet will infections, tumors, drugs,
bacterial infection leading to carry out urine tests and may or poisons. Signs include
bladder inflammation (cystitis), use radiography and ultrasound increased urination, increase
muscle weakness or spasm, scans to identify possible causes. in thirst, vomiting, and loss
blockage in the urethra, and Treatment may include tactics of weight. The cat may also
anatomical abnormalities. Cystitis and treatments such as pheromone become weak, with a dull coat
with no identifiable cause is termed diffusers to reduce stress, surgery and bad breath. Treatment may
“feline idiopathic cystitis.” Most to relieve urethral blockage, include medication and diet to
cases of FLUTD are idiopathic. antibiotics to treat bacterial support kidney function. Vets
Overweight and inactive middle- infection, or a diet to help may offer screening tests to detect
aged or older cats are at greater risk dissolve stones and crystals. early signs of CKD in older cats.

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