If your cat is experiencing urinary problems of any kind, treat it as a medical emergency. You may not have much time to save your cat's life.
On day one, she noticed that her kitten’s genital area was wet and didn’t think much about it. On day two, she noticed that the kitten was much more wet, and by day three, the kitten had started to squat outside the litter box and strain but not produce much urine. As she was washing him off, she noticed salt-like crystals around the kitten’s genitals. Internet research said to soak the kitten in warm water and give him some cranberry juice. As she was soaking the kitten, a mixture of urine, blood and puss came out. She made an appointment with the vet. On the morning of day four, the vet put the kitten on antibiotics. Day five was a difficult day of watching and comforting the kitten while waiting for the antibiotics to kick in and help him. On the morning of day six, the kitten passed away.
What is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease?
FLUTD has also been called Feline Urologic Syndrome or Cystitis, all names for problems with a cat’s urinary tract. Symptoms may include:
Increased frequency of urination
Blood in the urine
Straining in the litter box
Urinating outside the litter box
Excessive licking of the genital area
Crystals – look like pieces of salt
Urethral plug – looks like a soft but solid piece of puss / mucus
Your cat only needs to have one of these symptoms in order to indicate a problem is present and that you need to see the vet immediately.
What Are the Causes of FLUTD?
There are many different causes of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, but symptoms may be different from cat to cat and from one age to another. The most common age for cats to be affected by FLUTD is between the ages of two and four, and it is even more common in male cats, that often also get blockages. It is important to remember, however, that any cat of any age can suffer life threatening from urinary tract problems.
How is FLUTD Diagnosed?
Unfortunately, with up to 50% of the cats tested for urinary tract problems, veterinarians will not discover the cause of FLUTD. Your vet’s tests might include:
Palpating the bladder
Urinalysis
Blood screening
X-rays / Radiographs
Treatment will depend on the test results.
Treating the Cause of FLUTD
If your cat has FLUTD, the cause might be:
Urinary tract infection – only about 1-5% of the time, however
Bladder stones
Urethral blockage
Kidney Failure – in older cats, this is the cause about 66% of the time
Urinary tract cancer
Struvite or Oxalate crystals – crystals can cause or be caused by an infection
Since test results only reveal the cause about 50% of the time, many vets will begin treatment with antibiotics if there is no blockage. If there is a blockage, a catheter can be inserted in order to clear the blockage and empty the bladder, and then treatment is given to dissolve the crystals. If there are crystals, the cat may be helped and the crystals controlled by a diet that balances the cat’s urine pH. Sometimes surgery is required.
What to Do if Your Cat Has Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Problem
All urinary tract problems should be treated as an immediate medical emergency! Do not delay! Do NOT try to treat the symptoms at home. Your cat can have as little as 24 to 48 hours to live if there is a blockage.
The copyright of the article Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease in Cats is owned by Darlene Cheek. Permission to republish Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I wanted to open a discussion on this subject for any of you who find the
article and might have a question. I was in such shock when my 6 week old
kitten started showing symptoms of urinary tract problems, but I still
can't believe that it took his life... and so quickly.
If I
haven't said it enough in the article and blog, let me say one more time -
DO NOT DELAY GETTING YOUR CAT TO THE VET! If they have a blockage, they die
within 3 to 6 days on average. And they don't have to always be an older
cat.
If you get your cat to the vet quickly enough, there are
things they can do. I thought maybe our kitten had "a little
infection," and then learned there's no such thing as just a little
infection.
What surprised me even more was that my vet didn't
respond with urgency! Why didn't they fit me in somewhere when I told them
what the symptoms were and how young my kitten was?
But there's
no reason to lay blame and hang on to anger because of my own heart break
over the kitten. I would much rather put my effort towards informing others
of how devastating this can be and how quickly your cat can die.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Sep 23, 2007 9:38 PM
Charla Dawson :
I hope you don't mind me saying, but I'm really shocked your vet didn't do
more. In a cat or kitten with a bladder infection steroid injections are
usually given to relieve pain and inflammation. And if the cat is that sick
IV fluids and supportive care (hospitalization) are usually required. I'm
so sorry and shocked that more wasn't done to save your kittens life.
Sometimes bladder infections are just that but I've never seen a sick
kitten/cat just given antibiotics and sent home to suffer. I'm so sorry for
your loss. Charla
Sep 24, 2007 6:57 AM
Darlene Cheek :
Charla, I've been trying really hard not to blame the vet or hold on to
anger, but I agree with you! Just by researching the internet, I knew it
was an emergency situation, and they didn't even try to fit me in the day I
called - said they were booked. I expected something for pain for the
little guy and really, I expected them to keep him, give him fluids -
SOMEthing! Though I'm not sure I would've been able to bear being away from
him when he passed away.
My sister-in-law said that she's had
similar experiences in this county with kittens before. That they don't
really try with young kittens - just send you home with a pill and wish ya
luck, basically.
This has been one of the saddest things I've
ever gone through, poor little fella.
Like Jill said, maybe our
experience can help save another kitten's life - folks, PLEASE insist on
more testing / treatment, especially if crystals are found! If your vet
doesn't offer more than antibiotics, ask why. Don't just assume, like I
did, that your vet is doing the right thing for your kitten.
They sent my little guy home and said, "He should pee by
Friday." That was on Wednesday. How long can a kitten go without
peeing? No catheter? Can't ya give him some relief?
If I'd have
been more informed about all that's involved with this before it actually
happened to us, we might've saved his life. An informed kitty parent is a
more powerful kitty parent when it comes to medical treatment. Learn all
you can NOW about EVERYthing that can harm or kill your cat!
And
thanks, Charla!
Sep 25, 2007 1:45 PM
ris233233 :
Oh honey!!
How terrible. I just now experienced my first kitten
UTI. He is 8 weeks old. I called the vet at night and explained the
symptoms and he had me rush the kitten right to him.
My little
baby is ok! But he had to stay with the vet for a couple of days. I am so
glad that you wrote about your experience and SO happy that my vet took the
situation seriously.
Thanks SO MUCH!
Sep 25, 2007 2:04 PM
Darlene Cheek :
My goodness, I'm glad your little one is okay! And wonderful that you have
such a great vet, too!
You're welcome, and thank you!
Poor little things - I just wish kitty babies could tell you when they
aren't feeling well and where it hurts!
