Common Health Problems in Cats

Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV)

Feline Panleukopenia is a serious infectious disease. It is relatively common in unvaccinated cats and is often fatal, especially for young kittens. The feline Panleukopenia virus, also known as FPV, is easily spread by contact with a diseased animal or its secretions.

Panleukopenia is often referred to as feline distemper because it produces symptoms similar to those displayed in dogs with distemper. These two diseases are different, however, and are not caused by the same virus.

Who’s at risk for FPV?

Any cat or kitten that has not been vaccinated against feline Panleukopenia is at risk. This is a hardy virus that can lurk in carpets and upholstery for years.

Cats can be infected by litter boxes, food bowls and even toys and clothes. Therefore, introducing an unvaccinated cat to a surroundings previously inhabited by a sick cat, puts them at great risk.

Kittens are especially susceptible to feline distemper because their immune systems are often underdeveloped and cannot fight off the infection. In fact, kittens can be infected in utero or during birth. Mortality rates for this form of neonatal Panleukopenia are extremely high. Survivors of the infection may suffer cerebellar damage.

Symptoms of FPV

Symptoms of feline distemper usually show up within a week and a half of exposure to the virus. Sick cats often run a high fever, accompanied by apathy and loss of appetite. Vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain may also be present.

FPV Prevention

The best prevention for feline Panleukopenia is by vaccinating all cats and kittens. This is one of the routine vaccines every kitten should get. Annual boosters are required to keep the body’s defenses active.

Remember that kittens need some time to fully acquire the immunization. So even if your kitten has been given their shots, avoid exposure to other cats (other than their litter mates) until the age of four months.

Breeders should make sure that breeding queens are vaccinated before mating. This will allow the newborn kittens some immunity, provided they have nursed on their mother’s first milk (the colostrum).

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) not only causes leukemia (blood cell cancer), as its name implies. This virus is in fact responsible for various manifestations of disease.

FeLV is a retrovirus that, much like FIV, may damage the cat’s immune system and lead to a multitude of serious and often fatal medical conditions. In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), FeLV is associated with the death of more cats than any other pathologic condition.

Not all cats that are exposed to FeLV are infected. Of those infected, about a third will gain full recovery within weeks and will not be further affected; another third will become carriers of FeLV, but may remain in this state for many years; and only one-third will immediately get the active form of the disease.

Who’s at risk for FeLV?

FeLV can be transmitted between cats via body fluids. Blood, saliva, mucus, urine, and feces can all be a source of infection.

Cats that come in contact with other cats that are FeLV positive (whether carriers or sick) may contract the disease through mutual grooming, bites, and even sharing feeding bowls or litter trays.

FeLV is more common among cats living in multiple cat households, but cats that are allowed to free roam outside may come in contact with FeLV positive cats and are therefore also at risk.

FeLV Symptoms

Clinical signs are extremely diverse but include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, anemia, jaundice, diarrhea or constipation, enlarged lymph nodes, respiratory distress, and excessive drinking and urination.

Since FeLV damages the cat’s immune system, severe, chronic illness may also indicate FeLV. Cancer, in the form of lymphoma or leukemia (cancer of blood cells), occurs in some FeLV-infected cats.

FeLV Diagnosis

The Elisa test is a rapid screening test for FeLV. It can be performed in the vet’s clinic using a saliva sample.

The IFA test is a lab test that detects the virus in a blood sample.

Treatment of FeLV

Unfortunately there is no cure for FeLV. Infected cats are treated according to their specific symptoms. Proper care of secondary infections may help to extend the cat’s life span and improve its general well being.

Prevention of FeLV

There are several FeLV vaccinations available that can enhance the cat’s ability to fight off any future FeLV infections, but they do not ensure total prevention. It is important to take the necessary precautions against FeLV even if your cat is vaccinated.

Some safety measures against FeLV

• Vaccinate your cat against FeLV. This vaccine is as safe as any other common vaccine for cats.
• Do not overcrowd cats in one household. Overcrowding cats increases their risk of exposure to FeLV. It also increases stress levels for the cats and makes them more susceptible to disease.
• Be careful when introducing a new cat into your household. Make sure that the cat is FeLV negative before letting it join your other healthy cats. The cat must be tested for FeLV twice in the space of several weeks. During that time it must be quarantined.
• Keep your cats indoors at all times. Cats should be let outside only under your direct supervision. You should make sure they avoid contact with other cats.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

FIV was first discovered in California in 1986. Its similarity to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus - also known as AIDS) caused great alarm among cat owners.

Many FIV positive cats were unnecessarily put to sleep or abandoned in shelters. FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and is the common name for the disease caused by this virus. The virus damages the cat’s immune system, leading to a series of secondary infections that may become fatal.

It is like another virus, FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) in that both viruses attack the immune system and cause similar symptoms. However, these are different viruses - infections of FeLV and FIV are unrelated.

It is now fully understood that FIV is not infectious to humans, the same way that HIV is not infectious to cats. These are species-specific viruses, as has been proven by the many FIV positive cats that lead comfortable lives with their human companions for many years.

Who’s at risk for FIV?

According to Cornell Feline Health Center, approximately 1.5 to 3 percent of domestic cats in the US are infected with FIV. It appears that infection rates in maintained colonies of neutered feral cats are similar. FIV exists all over the world, probably with similar rates of infection.

FIV is transmitted mainly by direct cat bites. It is prevalent among cats that are involved in catfights and experience piercing wounds. Unaltered males (toms) that are allowed to free roam are at serious risk, as they tend to get involved in fights while competing for territory and females.

Close contact between cats and even the sharing of food and water bowls or a litter box is not a common mode of infection. In some cases, FIV positive cats live long and happy lives with FIV negative cats in multi-cat households. However, there is always a risk of the infected cat transmitting the disease directly through biting.

Symptoms of FIV

Days and sometimes weeks after initial infection, the cat becomes ill, displaying various symptoms that can include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and a low white cell count. Following this episode, the cat appears to have recovered, but in fact remains FIV positive for the rest of its life.

Because FIV attacks the body’s immune system, FIV positive cats are less resistant to disease. These cats may suffer from a variety of medical complaints often affecting the mouth, gums, bowels, respiratory system, and urinary tract. They are also prone to seemingly unexplained attacks of fever and weight loss.

Symptoms are similar to those exhibited by FeLV positive cats, since both diseases suppress the immune system. Diagnosis can only be made through an FIV test, in which the cat’s blood is checked for the presence of FIV antibodies.

This test can produce false results, especially when applied to young kittens, or if the disease is in its very early or very late stages. Performing another FIV lab test and reviewing the cat’s medical history help the vet formulate the final diagnosis.

Treating FIV

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the virus itself. Yet, a cat diagnosed as FIV positive may not necessarily display any secondary symptoms. Some FIV positive cats continue to lead healthy lives for years after the initial infection. The virus weakens the cat’s defense against disease but does not eliminate it altogether.

To help maintain the health of an FIV positive cat you should minimize exposure to disease and assist the cat’s immune system to function better.

Here are some general rules for protecting FIV positive cats from disease. Some are true to all cats, but are crucial when it comes to keeping an FIV cat healthy:

• If possible, let the cat be a single cat in the household. Healthy cats are often carriers of disease germs that their immune system prevents from turning into a full-blown infection. The FIV positive may get infected and become ill.
• Do not let your cat roam outdoors.
• Make sure that your cat gets the best nutrition possible.
• Keep your cat free of external and internal parasites. Parasites often weaken the body by taking away vital nutrients and may also harbor disease.
• Do not feed your cat uncooked meat or fish. Raw meat may contain parasites and potentially harmful germs.
• Try to keep the cat’s environment as stress-free as possible and give him or her plenty of love and attention.

Prevention of FIV

The best way to prevent FIV infection is to keep your cat from getting into catfights. Neutering and keeping your cat indoors significantly lower the risk of an FIV infection.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a serious viral disease and is almost always fatal. A specific virus of the Corona group is known to be the direct cause of FIP.

The exact method of infection is still a mystery. The FIP virus is a mutation of another virus called the feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). The FECV is quite common among cats but usually causes no more than a mild respiratory infection. Only cats that get the FIP mutation will have the fatal FIP.

The FIP virus attacks the cat’s white blood cells and damages the capillary blood vessels throughout the body. Different organs in the body may be involved, causing various physiological phenomena.

Who’s at risk for FIP?

Why some cats develop FIP and others do not is still unclear. Most affected cats are under the age of five or over the age of eleven and many come from multi-cat households. A major factor identified during the past few years is genetics - it appears that some cats are genetically more susceptible to FIP.

These findings have caused alarm among breeders because it implies that some lines are more likely to produce FIP sensitive cats. However, due to the spontaneuous enigmatic nature of this disease, sporadic cases of FIP over the years, do not necessarily mean that there is a genetic fault with a cattery’s breeding stock.

FIP Symptoms

Since the virus affects the blood vessels and harms different parts of the body, the symptoms may vary between cats. There are two forms of FIP in cats, effusive (wet), and non-effusive (dry). Both are invariably fatal.

In the effusive or wet form, the damage to the blood vessels causes fluid accumulation in tissues and body spaces, especially in the chest and abdomen. Abdominal swelling and labored breathing are among the signs of wet FIP. Other symptoms include fever, depression, dehydration, anemia, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice.

The non-effusive or dry form of FIP has similar symptoms, except there is no accumulation of fluids in the abdomen or chest. Surgical exploration often reveals mucus on the surface of internal organs, however.

Since FIP can be difficult to diagnose, its identification is often based on a combination of several lab tests. In some cases, only a biopsy or surgical exploration can verify if a cat is infected with FIP.

Treatment of FIP

Unfortunately, there is no cure for FIP. Life expectancy for cats with FIP is usually a few weeks. Medications can be used to make the cat more comfortable and may help to slightly extend the cat’s life.

Prevetion of FIP

It is hard to tell which cat will develop FIP, and preventive measures can never ensure that a certain cat will not become infected.

It is important to keep a cat’s immune system functioning well. This means to maintain good nutrition and a low-stress environment. In multiple cat households, cats must not get overcrowded, as this increases stress levels as well as potential virus levels in the environment.

Cancer

Cancer is common in pet animals, and the rate increases with age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.

Strong circumstantial evidence of cancer can be attained from x-rays, blood tests, the physical appearance of the cancer, or the physical signs caused by the cancer. Most cancers, however, will require a biopsy (removal of a piece of tissue) for confirmation.

Some cancer, such as breast cancer, is largely preventable with early spaying. Unfortunately, the cause of most cancers is not known and therefore prevention is difficult.

Common Signs of Cancer

• Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
• Sores that do not heal
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
• Offensive odor
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Hesitance to exercise or loss of stamina
• Persistent lameness or stiffness
• Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

Many of the above signs are also seen with non-cancerous conditions but still warrant prompt attention by your veterinarian to determine the cause. Cancer is frequently treatable, and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.

Common Types of Cancer

• Skin

  Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in cats. Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in dogs they are often benign. All skin tumors should be examined by your veterinarian.

• Breast

  Fifty percent of all breast tumors in dogs and 85% of all breast tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your pet between 6 and 12 months of age will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer. Surgery is the treatment of choice for this type of cancer.

• Head & Neck

  Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs and less common in cats. A mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficult eating are signs to watch for. Many swellings are malignant, so early aggressive treatment is essential. Cancer may develop inside the nose of both cats and dogs. Bleeding from the nose, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling may occur.

• Lymphoma

  Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and cats. It is characterized by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in the body. A virus causes most of these cancers in cats. Chemotherapy is frequently effective in controlling this type of cancer.

• Feline Leukemia Complex

  The feline leukemia virus is contagious among cats and will occasionally cause true cancer. There is no proof that it is contagious to humans. While a great deal of research is ongoing, no consistently effective treatment is presently available for virus-positive cats.

• Testicles

  Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common in dogs, especially those with retained testes. Most of these cancers are curable with surgery.

• Abdominal Tumors

  Tumors inside the abdomen are common. It is difficult to make an early diagnosis. Weight loss and abdominal enlargement are common signs of these tumors.

• Bone

  Bone tumors are most commonly seen in large breed dogs and rarely in cats. The leg bones, near joints, are the most common sites. Persistent lameness and swelling of the leg is an early sign of disease.

Cancer Treatment

Each cancer requires individual care. Your veterinarian may use surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy to effectively treat cancers. Combination therapy is commonly employed.

Cancer Success Rate

This depends strongly on the type and extent of the cancer as well as the aggressiveness of therapy. Some cancers can be cured, and almost all patients can be helped to some degree. Your veterinarian will have a better chance to control or cure your pet’s cancer if it is detected early.

Eye Problems

Cats don’t have as many eye problems as dogs do, but when an eye disease occurs in a cat, it is usually chronic, lasting months to years, and sometimes is a lifetime problem for the cat.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the pink membrane part of the eye, which lines the white part (sclera) and the inner eyelid. The conjunctiva can become quite reddened and swollen in some cats, and often it is just in one eye and not in both. This causes intermittent or constant squinting. It can occur on and off, for months to years.

The conjunctivitis may occur without any other eye problems, or the eye may also have a corneal ulcer or erosion (painful open sore on the cornea, which is the “clear windshield” part of the eye), Keratitis (corneal inflammation), and/or uveitis (intraocular inflammation).

Signs of Conjunctivitis

Signs include squinting (which is severe if the cornea has an ulcer or erosion) and mucoid or watery discharge (that can be clear, gray, yellow, green, or a rusty dark red color that looks like dried blood but ISN’T). Cats that have this unusual dark tear color are often Persians or Himalayans.

The conjunctiva is reddened and sometimes swollen or thickened. The cornea can be clear, or can be cloudy if there is an ulcer, erosion, or scar tissue present. The iris (the colored part of the inside of the eye, that forms the pupil) can be a different color too (usually a “muddier”, duller color than normal), if uveitis is present.

All of these eye signs may be present, or some of them, and it may be in both eyes or one eye. Sometimes the cat shows signs of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), and is sneezing.

Causes of Conjunctivitis

Most of the causes are infectious. While many different kinds of infectious organisms can cause conjunctivitis, there are only three that are common culprits:

• Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1)
• Feline Chlamydia
• Feline Mycoplasma

It is important to know that a case of conjunctivitis can have one, two, or all three organisms together causing the problem, and that Feline Herpesvirus cannot be transmitted to people — only to cats. It is a very species-specific virus.

Treating Conjunctivitis

Mycoplasmal infections usually respond well to topical antibiotics, and Chlamydial infections often also respond, but can recur. However, FHV-1 infections do not respond at all to topical antibiotic therapy, and are very frustrating to treat. Sometimes topical antiviral medications are also used.

FHV-1 conjunctivitis and/or keratitis cannot be cured, only controlled. In between flare-ups, the cat’s eyes can be quite normal. Flare-ups can occur frequently, or there can be years in between each flare-up. Some cats will never have a flare-up.

Have your family veterinarian examine your pet. Sometimes your doctor may recommend referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist (which is often the case if FHV-1 is suspected to be present) if your cat’s eyes are not improving with medication or are worsening.

Ear Problems

Ear problems are one of the most common ailments afflicting cats. Whether due to infection, trauma, parasites or other diseases, ears can be trouble. Most often, the first signs of trouble is the presence of discharge from the ear.

Sometimes, mild discharge is normal. Some cats tend to produce more wax than others. Keeping the ears clean helps prevent problems. For other cats, ear discharge is often a sign of trouble - most often the dreaded ear infection or ear mite.

Cats with ear problems usually start scratching when the trouble begins. The trauma of scratching causes swelling and discharge within the ear canal. The ears may then develop a secondary infection with either bacteria or yeast. Diseases that suppress the immune system and immune skin diseases can also lead to ear problems.

Signs of ear problems

• Ear scratching
• Head shaking
• Redness, swelling, discharge and odor from the ears

Diagnosing Ear Problems

A complete medical history. A history is important in determining the underlying disease that is causing the ear symptoms. Expect your veterinarian to ask you about when the symptoms began, whether the animal has had previous ear problems and whether there are other symptoms of skin disease.

Your veterinarian will give your cat a physical exam, including a thorough exam of the entire skin and an exam of the ear with an otoscope. It is important for your veterinarian to see if the eardrum is intact and healthy to determine if the problem is confined to the external ear or if the middle ear is also affected. Otoscopic exam also allows the veterinarian to look for foreign bodies or mites in the ear and to assess for changes in the health of the ear canal due to chronic disease.

A swab of the ear is commonly taken and rolled out on a microscope slide to stain for examination under a microscope (cytology). The slide is examined for yeast or bacteria and inflammatory cells. Unstained swabs may be rolled out in mineral oil to examine for ear mites.

In cases of chronic or recurrent ear problems, other diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms may be needed. Bacteria or yeast infection is never the primary cause of ear disease but rather perpetuates the symptoms. Testing may be done for allergies, autoimmune disease or other underlying causes.

Treatment of Ear Problems

Ear infections are treated most often with combination drug preparations that contain a broad-spectrum antibiotic, an antifungal to kill yeast, and a corticosteroid to relieve swelling, pain, and inflammation.

Ear mites are treated with milbemycin (Milbemite.), ivermectin (Acarexx.) or thiabendazole (Tresaderm.) in the ears or selamectin (Revolution.) topically between the shoulder blades.

Thorough cleaning of the ears is necessary to remove debris, allowing the medication to make good contact with the skin of the ear canal.

Skin Problems

Hot Spots or Acute Moist Dermatitis Hot spots are usually a result of self trauma and a resulting infection that occurs as your pet tries to relieve itself from some pain or itch. Treatment includes thorough cleaning, topical and systemic antibiotics, and anti- inflammatory agents.

Hypodermal

Hypodermis includes a wide range of infections that result in the formation of pus. Pyodermas vary in severity. Treatment is similar to that for hot spots, but typically is longer term. Shampoos and rinses are also helpful.

Atopy or Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis

Atopy is a very itchy skin disease, which is the result of allergies to microscopic particles in the air. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and absence of other causes such as ectoparasites. Treatment includes dietary supplements, antihistamines and steroids, and is often long term. In very refractory cases skin allergin testing and hyposensitization may be helpful. Shampoos and rinses are also often helpful.

Ectopararsites (external parasites)

External parasites include mites, fleas and ticks. These parasites break the barrier formed by the skin and allow bacterial infections to occur. They may lead to allergic conditions. Diagnosis is achieved with gross observation and microscopic examination of skin scrapings. Treatments depend on the parasites present and include antiparasitic drugs and antiparasitic shampoos and rinses.

Fungal Infections

This includes Malassezia sp., Dermatophytosis (Ring Worm), and Dermal Coccidiodomycosis. Diagnosis is achieved via culture of the organisms, microscopic examination of skin scrapings and blood tests that identify antibodies to Coccidioides immitis. Treatment includes topical and systemic antifungal drugs and antifungal shampoos and rinses.

Food Allergies

Food allergies often manifest themselves as skin problems. Food allergies are usually diagnosed by ruling out other possible conditions. Treatment is trial feeding of hypoallergenic diets for a minimum of six weeks.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Contact allergies are diagnosed based on history of contact and clinical presentation. Treatment includes washing the exposed areas to remove the irritant. Itchy symptoms are treated with steroids for a short period of time. It is important to prevent re-exposure.

Autoimmune Skin Diseases

There are several autoimmune skin diseases and the foundation of diagnosis is surgical biopsy. Treatment includes combinations of dietary supplementation, steroids, and immune modulation drugs.

Secondary Skin Disease

Secondary skin diseases such as hypothyroidism are diagnosed via clinical testing for the underlying disease. Diagnosis often requires blood tests, biopsies, and X-rays. Treatment of the underlying condition usually results in improvement of the skin problems.

Urinary Tract Disorders

Few conditions strike greater fear into the heart of a cat guardian than “urinary tract problems.” Myths and misinformation abound, and many people know at least one other person who has a cat with this problem–or who has lost a cat because of it.

FLUTD/LUTD

“Feline lower urinary tract disorders” (commonly referred to as FLUTD, LUTD, or FUS–feline urologic syndrome) come in at least three distinct varieties. All of them put together affect less than 3% of cats, but for those who are affected, it can be a major problem.

Bladder diseases occur in both male and female cats, although males have a higher risk of life-threatening blockage of the urethra. It is usually first seen in cats between 2 and 7 years of age (though some very young and very old cats may develop signs). Episodes of LUTD are usually triggered by stress, such as home remodeling, severe weather, or loss or addition of a family member.

Signs of LUTDS

The clinical signs of all the LUTDs are very similar. Cats may go to the litterbox frequently, strain to urinate, pass very small amounts at a time, lick their genitals more frequently or more intensely than usual, or have blood in the urine. The cat may associate the burning sensation of cystitis (bladder inflammation) with the litterbox itself, and look for another place to go where it won’t hurt. This leads to squatting in corners, in sinks or tubs, on rugs, laundry piles, or beds.

Most cats brought to the vet for LUTD do not yet have blockages. However, it’s important to act quickly when you see any of these signs, because if a blockage does occur, the backup of urine toxins and pressure can lead to kidney failure and death in as little as 24 hours.

About 2/3 of LUTDs are classified as “idiopathic cystitis”, meaning “bladder inflammation of unknown cause.” It is rare for bacteria to be involved–most are “sterile” inflammations. Less common causes of these signs include behavior disorders, kidney stones, anatomical defects in the bladder wall, other systemic diseases, and bladder cancer.

Bladder Stones

Only about 20% of LUTD cases involve bladder stones–about half of these are struvite, and half are calcium oxalate stones. Crystals are not the same as stones. Male cats who block usually do so with crystals held together in a gel-like matrix with mucus from the irritated bladder. This “plug” can get stuck at the narrow end of the urethra. Crystals may be present by themselves or at the same time as a stone. Occasionally, multiple types of crystals may be present at the same time.

Struvite, or “triple-phosphate” stones, are made from normal components of urine that clump together under certain conditions. Calcium oxalate crystals and stones, which were rare in cats 10 years ago, have become much more common due to increased feeding of highly acidified struvite-treatment diets. Some stones can be dissolved by diet, though it can take a long time.

Any stone can be surgically removed, and sometimes this is the most expedient solution. Stones are usually diagnosed either by radiographs (x-rays) or, ideally, ultrasound (which can “see” stones that x-rays might not reveal, and provides valuable information on condition of the bladder and kidneys). Cats with LUTD signs lasting more than a week in spite of treatment, or if the problem recurs after treatment is discontinued, should be evaluated for stones or other anatomic abnormalities.

LUTDS and your cats diet

There are many medical diets made to dissolve struvite stones and to prevent recurrence of struvite and calcium oxalate stones. These include Hill’s s/d, c/d(s) and c/d(o), Purina CNM-UR, Waltham’s Control pHormula, and others. These are only available through veterinarians since they create specific acid-base conditions in the cat’s body that should be monitored by your vet. Canned versions of these foods are preferable to dry. In one study, 60% of cats on a single dry food were symptom-free for a year, compared to 90% of cats eating one canned food.

Homemade, organic, natural diets are always on the top of the “good” list for treating this and other chronic disease conditions, but only if they can be fed consistently. Diet changes must always be made gradually to minimize stress on the cat.

Diet is a component of LUTD, though usually not the sole cause. Dry cat foods, particularly high-fiber “light” or “senior” foods, contribute to overall dehydration and high urine concentration. Cats with LUTD should not be fed any dry food at all if possible. Canned or homemade foods help keep the urine dilute, minimizing irritation and the risk of crystal or stone formation.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are often used to treat feline LUTDs and are a standard first-line of conventional treatment. Even though bacteria are rare, some antibiotics have anti-inflammatory or analgesic (pain relieving) effects. Other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids, are occasionally used when there is severe inflammation.

Urinary acidifiers are sometimes given if the urine pH is very high. Steroids and acidifiers should not be used long-term. The anti-depressant amitriptylline is commonly used as a long-term treatment, but its effectiveness and safety are being questioned. For male cats who block repeatedly, there is a surgery to widen the urethra. This is a last-ditch option, and some males will still block even after this surgery.

Many herbal and nutritional treatments have been tried with varying success. Certainly, antioxidant vitamins such as C and E, which are also helpful in times of stress, are indicated (Vitamin C as sodium ascorbate or Ester C, and Vitamin E). Other antioxidants such as BioSuperfood may also be helpful, because of their anti-inflammatory action.

Herbs such as slippery elm, horsetail, and couch grass have helped some cats. Many cats have done well with Co-Enzyme Q10, which prevents inflammation at the cellular level. Cranberry extract is beneficial for many animals, especially dogs, who tend to have actual infections of the bladder.

Cranberry is thought to prevent the attachment of the E. coli bacteria to the bladder wall. Because bacteria are not present in most cases FLUTD, it may be less beneficial for cats. However, cranberry has still been helpful in many cases, even those without any evidence of bacteria. Cranberry capsules are available at the health food store (typically in 250 mg strength which is a good once-a-day dose for cats), and are very safe to give long-term.

Flower essences are often very helpful for FLUTD. Because the problem is so highly stress-related, addressing any underlying emotional imbalances and susceptibilities can be critical for long-term resolution. A specific formulation based on your cat’s particular personality is best.

Holistic veterinarians believe that LUTD is a sign of underlying chronic disease. Homeopathy, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, western herbs, and other holistic therapies may be valuable in rectifying the hidden “causes” of LUTD and bringing your cat’s health into balance and well-being.

There are lots of diets and treatments out there. An individually tailored treatment program is needed for each patient. But, if I had only one rule I could make for all of them, it would be “no dry food.”

Sources: Cat Health Section, Anne Moss