Gotta Go! Overweight Male Cats and Urinary Tract Blockage

Recently we have seen a wave of overweight male cats presenting to our hospital for difficulty in urination. This is a potentially life-threatening situation that usually arises from a condition called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder, or FLUTD. FLUTD is an inflammation of the lower urinary tract, the cause for which is unknown. Cats with FLUTD will urinate frequently in small quantities as they try to void the painful sensation from their bladders. The urine may be bloody, and may show up in an area outside the litterbox. Cats may even vocalize in discomfort as they urinate. In short, FLUTD presents just like a urinary tract infection, except no infection exists. (Infection can cause identical symptoms, but is quite uncommon in young cats).

Symptoms of FLUTD tend to arise in the first few years of life; the average age of cats with FLUTD is four (4) years. At least 50% of young cats with FLUTD will have no definable cause for their symptoms; approximately 20% will have bladder stones; urinary tract infections account for, at most, 5% of such cases. While we usually do not know what causes FLUTD, we do know some factors that can trigger its symptoms. Stress, inadequate hydration, and weight are prime factors.

Any cat can develop FLUTD. However, overweight male cats are at particular risk. The opening of a cat’s urethra is quite narrow; inflammation tends to narrow that opening even further. Crystals, inflammatory cells and other debris in the bladder may coalesce to form a plug that can block the urethra. Such a blockage leads to toxin build-up in the bloodstream as well as eventual bladder rupture, either of which can result in death.

We can, if the situation is caught in time, unblock a cat and allow it to urinate. However, the symptoms of FLUTD tend to recur. Sometimes the only alternative for male cats with recurrent episodes of urethral blockage is to surgically open the end of the urethra. Needless to say, this is an expensive proposition that comes with its own set of side effects. It is far better, therefore, to work proactively to prevent this situation from arising in the first place.

First and most importantly, do not permit any cat – but especially a young male –to become overweight. FLUTD is not the only adverse effect of weight gain! Dry foods in particular are associated with weight gain in cats. Cats are carnivores whose GI tracts are more suited to a high protein, high fat diet. Canned foods tend to be higher in fat and protein. If your cat is overweight, be sure to speak with one of our doctors about a weight-management program.

Canned food also helps with the second item: namely, water consumption. We want cats with FLUTD to flush out their urinary tracts with plenty of fresh water. Canned food, tuna broth, and even recirculating water fountains can be used to help with water consumption. “Water in, water out” is the key here. On the “water out” side of the equation, litter box hygiene (scooping at least once a day) and having one more box than the number of cats will help as well.

Cats with recurrent FLUTD symptoms may require additional, long-term treatment. We can help formulate a long-term prevention plan that may include both over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Hydration, healthy weight, and low stress levels: while the cause of FLUTD may often be a mystery, the keys to avoiding it are not.

Dr. Charles Livaudais