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Urinary
serious
cat
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
FLUTD is a group of conditions affecting the bladder and urethra of cats, often causing urination difficulties.
Detailed explanation
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a broad term for various disorders of the feline bladder and urethra. It can manifest as straining to urinate, frequent urination, urinating outside the litter box, crying during urination, or blood in the urine. Causes include bladder stones (uroliths), urinary tract infections (UTIs), or idiopathic cystitis (inflammation without a known cause). Stress, obesity, and certain diets can contribute to FLUTD. It's crucial to distinguish between different causes as treatment varies. If a male cat is straining to urinate without producing any urine, it's an emergency as they might have a life-threatening urethral obstruction.
Common symptoms
- Straining to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Urinating outside litter box
- Blood in urine
- Crying during urination
- Licking genitals excessively
- Lack of urine production (emergency)
Related conditions
Cystitis
Urolithiasis
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Idiopathic Cystitis
Urethral Obstruction
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