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Urine produced in a healthy urinary tract contains a great deal of dissolved minerals. In cats with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), mineral crystals and/or cells collect in the urinary tract, especially the bladder and its outflow tract (urethra). The accumulating crystals irritate the lining of the urinary tract and may clump together to form "stones" in the bladder or obstruct the outflow of urine. Obstructions are relatively common in male cats and may be fatal if not treated promptly.
Signs of FLUTD include excessive licking of the gentalia, frequent voiding of small amounts of urine, urinating in unusual locations, blood in the urine, straining or evidence of pain during urination, and unproductive attempts to urinate. Total urinay obstruction results in depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, and eventually coma and death. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY AND YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL IF HE STOPS URINATING OR SHOWS ANY OF THESE SIGNS! Frequently scooping the litterbox will help you to monitor if he is leaving "sevearl small clumps" of litter or "larger clumps" of urine indicating he is passing good volume of urine at one time.
Despite intense study, no single cause for FLUTD has been discovered. We are , however, aware of several factors that may lead to FLUTD. Those factors include bacterial and viral infections, diet, obesity, reduced physical activity, low water consumption, and prolonged urine retention. Castration does not cause FLUTD. Wet food ONLY will help cats get more moisture in their diet: most cats eat 1 to 2 "tuna-sized" cans of cat food per day and are best fed twice daily.
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