FLUTD in Cats

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on December 23, 2011 – 9:00 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a complex of various disease symptoms causing various lower urinary tract signs in both male and female cats.  Symptoms may include bloody urination, increased urgency and frequency, as well as inappropriate urination.  The lower urinary tract inflammation may lead to the development of crystals and mucous plugs, which may cause urinary tract obstruction, especially in male cats.

Primary urinary tract infections rarely are the cause of lower urinary tract disease in cats, and usually are only secondarily involved after urinary catheterization. Risk factors for cats in developing FLUTD include indoor-only overweight cats, and cats on dry food only diets. Environmental stresses often play a big role in cats with feline lower urinary tract disease.

FLUTD is a complex of various disease symptoms causing various lower urinary tract signs in both male and female cats.

I have found that even polyvalent vaccination can also predispose some cats to recurrent episodes of urinary tract inflammation. If your cat is experiencing any urinary tract symptoms, a veterinary exam and urine analysis with possible x rays to asses for bladder stones is recommended.  Treatment of feline lower urinary tract disease usually is palliative with use of anti-spasmodic prescription medications such as Phenoxybenzamine, as well as medications to lessen pain such as Buprenex and Amitryptylline.    I have found the herbal remedy Tinkle Tonic from Animal Essentials also helpful in managing cats with urinary discomfort.

Most cases will spontaneously improve over 5-7 days; however, some cats do need chronic therapy.  I have also found supplements such as Cosequin for cats helpful to soothe the urinary bladder.  Feeding all canned food or a proper homemade diet is also important in reducing symptom relapses. I have not found many of the processed commercial pet foods sold by many veterinarians useful in my experience.  I find that the poorer quality of these foods may lead to other health problems as well.

Inappropriate Urination in Pets

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on December 14, 2011 – 8:20 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

Inappropriate urination is a common clinical complaint in dogs and cats.

 Inappropriate urination is a common clinical complaint in both dogs and cats.  One of the first goals we have as veterinarians is to find out whether the inappropriate urination is due to behavioral or medical reasons.  Behavioral problems are most common in very young and older pets.  Many puppies (especially the toy breeds) will often take several months to fully house train.

At the other spectrum, older pets may exhibit senile changes leading to inappropriate urination, as well as have other geriatric medical illness leading to undesirable urination.

Any pet with history of inappropriate urination should have a complete physical exam and urine analysis performed at the local veterinarian. If needed, additional blood tests, x-rays or ultrasound can also be done.  Another important differential for this complaint is whether the pet is involuntarily leaking urine where it lays or sleeps, or whether there is increased urgency to urinate.

Incontinence is managed totally differently from inappropriate urination because of inflammation or infection.  Treatment will depend upon underlying causes and may include antibiotics, anti-spasmodic medications such as Amitriptyline, or medications such as prescription Proin for those incontinent pets.   Drugs like Anipryl (i.e selegiline), and fatty acid supplements such as Super pure Omega 3, and antioxidants like Proneurozone all can help with older pets.