FLUTD Flashcards
What clinical signs are associated with idiopathic FLUTD?
Straining, haematuria, pollakiuria, periuria
LRT signs WITHOUT underlying cause
What age would you expect idiopathic FLUTD?
Younger to middle aged cats
What is the diagnostic approach to IFLUTD in older cats?
Likely underlying cause
Urinalysis+ culture
Haematology and biochem
Imaging
How do you diagnose idiopathic FLUTD?
EXCLUSION
What is the most common cause of feline lower urinary tract signs?
IFLUTD
When would you expect IFLUTD to resolve?
3-7 days
Subset chronic
What risk factors are associated with IFLUTD?
Persian cats 2-6 years Neutered Obesity Decreased activity Dry cat food STRESS
What POTENTIAL infectious cause could contribute to IFLUTD?
Viruses - esp BHV4 and FSV
Could explain episodic signs and recrudescence at times of stress
How could crystalluria impact IFLUTD?
May play a role in the formation of urethral plugs
What are glomerulations?
Blood spots in the mucosa of the bladder
Found in a lot of FLUTD cats but NOT SPECIFIC
How does neurogenic inflammation in the bladder?
Defect in GAG lining results in C fibre exposure to urine contents
PAIN AND AXON REFLEX
What is an axon reflex?
Substance P released at terminals of parallel fibres causing :
Muscle constriction
BV exudation
Mast cell degranulation
How could a neuroendocrine imbalance cause FLUTD?
Inability of the adrenal cortex to respond to ACTH and produce cortisol
Increased ACTH as reduced inhibition
Increase in excitatory sympathetic stimulation
How can IFLUTD be managed?
Feliway (potential)
Diet - CANNED FOOD better
Increase water intake
MEMO (multimodal environment modulation)
Potentially analgesics (butorphanol or bup)
What are the principles behind MEMO?
- Avoid punishing cat
- Canned food, increase water intake
- In scented clumping litter
- Improved litter box management
- Environmental enrichment
- Increased owner interaction
- Identification and resolution of conflict esp. multi cat households
