Nutritional support for FLUTD Flashcards
what are the underlying causes of FLUTD?
what is the differences of the disease in males vs females?
- Idiopathic cystitis
- Anatomical defects
- Bacterial infections
- Urolithiasis
- Urethral plugs
- Neoplasia
- FLUTD affects both male and female cats, however males tend to be more affected by obstructive disease due to the narrow size and longer length of the urethra. This makes them more susceptible to blockages from calculi, crystals, mucous and smooth muscle spasm.
- Stress and behavioural issues are also thought to be contributing factors
- It is estimated that 60 – 70 % of cases are idiopathic with no obvious underlying cause - These cats are classified as having ‘feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)’ or – a term that means inflammation of the bladder without a known cause
Waht are the risk factors of FLUTD?
- Young to middle aged cats
- Neutered cats
- Over-weight and inactive cats
- Cats with little or no access to outside space
- Cats that solely eat dry food
- Multi cat households
What can be done along side the dietary management to aid with the management of FLUTD?
Efforts should be made to reduce stress:
* Variety of Scratching posts and toys
* Multiple areas for food and water
* Vertical spaces
* Multiple areas for litterboxes
* Multiple areas to rest
* pheromones
minimise bullying and competition
what are the features of the Urinary diets?
What factors/supplements of urinary diets impact GABA receptors and when used together have been proven to reduce anxiety?
- Increase solubility of crystalloids within urine
- Decrease the retention of urinary crystals
- Limit pro-inflammatory mediators
- Increase anti-inflammatory mediators
- Modify urine Ph
- Increase urine volume – diluting urine
- Maintain healthy body weight and BCS
Impact GABA receptors:
* Increase intake of L-tryptophan
* Increase intake of α-casozepine
Why should water intake be increased with FLUTD?
- Concentration of minerals in dilute urine is decreased – great for stopping uroliths
- increasing water intake is beneficial as it will decrease urine specific gravity and increase urination – more dilute urine is produced.
- Increase urine production = more frequent urination = less urine retention. Especially useful for cystitis
- Less time in the bladder = less time for crystals to form
How can Water intake be increased in cats?
- Hydration supplements
- Wet and dry diets have a varied moisture content however wet foods generally has a moisture content of 60% compared to dry products which come in at around 10% - Wet food preference
- Water fountains
- Appropriate water dish – low edges with wide opening, can be easily cleaned
- Appropriate location of water dish – Quiet place with low foot traffic, away from litter trays and food bowls
- Provide fresh, clean water
- Leave water at the bottom of a sink or bath
- Splitting meals so they are more frequent = steady water intake
what are the benefits/reasoning of using L-tryptophan in urianry diets?
an essential amino acid that is a precursor for synthesis of serotonin, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It may have an anxiolytic effect in cats
what are the benefits/reasoning of using α-Casozepine
in urianry diets?
anxiolytic properties, derived from bovine milk
what are the benefits/reasoning of using EPA and DHA
in urianry diets?
Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids which reduce bladder inflammation. Especially useful for FIC as this is an inflammatory condition
what are the benefits/reasoning of using Vitamin E and Beta-Cerotene in urianry diets?
Antioxidants – have the potential to protect against free radicals release from inflammation
What are the key features of a diet for Struvite urolith prevention?
- restricted chloride, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium
- acidifying diet - Harder for struvite crystals to grow in an acidic environment. goal for pH < 6.5 - 7
