Feline idiopathic lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) Flashcards
Synonyms - FLUTD
- idiopathic FLUTD
- feline urologic syndrome (FUS)
- feline interstitial FLUTD (FIC)
CS - FLUTD
- straining
- haematuria
- pollakiuria
- periuria
- CS referrable to LUT (stones, UTI, neoplasia)
- licking penis/prepuce
- inappropriate urination
- vocalisation, hiding
- signs of urethral obstruction
Dx - FLUTD - old cat
- UA + culture
- other diagnostic tests (renal function, hyperthroidism)
- imaging
Commonest cause - FLUTD
- idiopathic FLUTD:
- diagnosis of exclusion
- CS spontanteosly resolve in 3-7 d
- recurrence common (39% in 18 months)
- subset have chronic dz
Risk factors - FLUTD
- persian
- aged 2-6 years
- spayed/castrated
- obestiy
- decreased activity
- dry cat food
- stress
Aetiology - FLUTD
- OLD THEORY: infectious agent (bacteria, virus, mycoplasma), crystalluria, urachal diverticula
- NEW THEORY: interstitial cystitis (neurogenic inflammation, mucosal defects), neuroendocrine imbalance
Outline relationship between UTI and FLUTD
- bacterial UTI documented in
Outline relationship b/w mycoplasma and ureaplasma with FLUTD
- aerobic bacteria
- fastidious growth requirements
- several studies fail to culture these from feline idiopathic FLUTD
- osmolality of feline urine inhibits growth
- PCR based detection unsuccesful in finding them
Outline relationship b/w viral infection and FLUTD
- BHV-4, calicivirus and feline syncytia forming virus (FSV) most commonly implicated
- virus-like particules ID in 38% crystalline matrix urethral plugs
- could explain episodic signs and recurrence in stress
What is the significance of crystalluria and FLUTD?
- DISRPOVED (i.e. no relationship b/w the two)
- struvite crystals common in normal cats
- struvite crystals found in >50% cats with FLUTD and in the same proportion of young cats w/o CS
- crystals cannot directly damage urethra or bladder mucosa
- crystals a risk factor for urolithiasis
- stones are a potential cause of FLUTD, account for 15-20% cases
- not directly injurious
- tx = oxalate
- adverse effects from acidification
How common are urethral plugs?
only in 18% cats with urethral obstruction (probably related to diet)
What is a vesicourachal diverticula?
= out-pouchings of bladder apex
- associated with CS of FLUTD, especially when obstruction occurs
- develop d/t increased intravesicular pressure and are the result not cause of the dz
- microscopic urachal remnants common
- macroscopic diverticula develop secondary to increased intraluminal pressure
- heal spontaneously within a few weeks if obstruction relieved
What is interstitial cystitis (IC)?
- unknown aetiologies, humans (women)
- analogies b/w human IC and idiopathic LUTD
Compare idiopathic FLUTD and human cystitis
- young cats and young women
- CATS and humans = dysuria and pollakiuria
- CATS and humans = sterile urine
- CATS = haematuria, HUMANS = few RBCs
- CATS and humans = glomerulations
- CATS and humans = increased bladder permeability
What are glomerulations?
= pinpoint haemorrhages in bladder wall
- documented in most cats with idiopathic FLUTD
Outline neuroendocrine imbalance
= current popular theory but evidence sketchy
> NEUROGENIC INFLAMMATION: local stimulation of sensory neurons (C fibres) –> pain, but in addition causes release of SP from local nerve endings which may have a multitude of effects including release of histamine from mast cells, mm contraction and vasoconstriction
- inadequate GC restraint
- excitatory SNS outflow is unchecked
- cortisol response to ACTH is less in cats with FIC than controls
- cats with IC have small adrenal glands
Signalment - idiopathic FLUTD
- male, pedigree, longhaired, overweight, the cat which tries to remove itself from stressful situation rather than the aggressor
- NOT SIGNIFICANT: diet, outdoor access, fear of strangers, fear of sounds