Curiosity Helps Our Cats: Integrated Feline Urinary Care

Sponsored by Royal Canin

The clinical signs of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), including stranguria, pollakiuria, hematuria, and periuria, are relatively straightforward. However, that’s where the simplicity ends. Even urinalysis cannot always distinguish FLUTD from inappropriate urination due to behavioral causes or determine the underlying cause of FLUTD, which may include feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), urolithiasis, UTI, neoplasia, or other abnormalities. Although studies differ on the exact reported incidence of these underlying causes, FIC is recognized as the most common cause of FLUTD.¹

Unfortunately, quick fixes are uncommon in the treatment of FLUTD. Infection may respond to antibiotics, but infections are rare, accounting for <5% of FLUTD cases.² Regardless of the underlying cause, >50% of cats will experience recurrence of their FLUTD³; thus, long-term management is essential. Cats with FIC can benefit from nutritional modification as well as environmental modification to decrease stress,⁴ whereas urolithiasis is typically managed with nutritional management and, when indicated, surgery.

Feline Urinary Care: The Challenges

Diagnosing and managing FLUTD requires proactive veterinary care. Unfortunately, the veterinary team often faces multiple barriers when caring for cats; only 44% of cats see their veterinarian annually,⁵ and there are often client concerns about finances and feline stress when bringing their cat into the clinic.^5-7 In addition, many clients are unaware of how to recognize signs of stress and FLUTD at home; if they are unable to recognize the problem, their cats are less likely to be presented for treatment.

The challenges do not end once the patient walks in the door, as even a urinalysis can present a challenge in cats. Collecting a free-catch sample is impractical, catheterization requires sedation, and cystocentesis is invasive, potentially stressful, and not without risk for complications. In addition, many cats experiencing signs of FLUTD arrive at the clinic with very little urine in their bladders due to pollakiuria. These barriers contribute to the risk for underdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of the underlying cause of FLUTD in feline patients.

Solutions for Feline Urinary Disease

Fortunately, new diagnostics can help owners monitor their cats’ urinary health at home. Royal Canin Hematuria Detection technology by Blücare is an easy-to-use, at-home urine screening test. These litter granules can help owners detect the presence of hematuria, facilitating early detection of FLUTD flare-ups.

Nutritional modification is also used in the management of FLUTD. Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO is a veterinary-exclusive diet designed to dilute excess minerals in the urine. Royal Canin uses relative supersaturation technology that considers urine pH and 10 urinary solutes and provides a urinary environment that discourages struvite and calcium oxalate stone and crystal formation. Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO diets can also be used to dissolve pure struvite stones, although it is not appropriate in cases of obstruction.

Stay Curious to Help Cats

An attitude of curiosity can aid significantly in the management of FLUTD. Cultivating curiosity in clients can increase the likelihood of accurately diagnosing this condition. Pet owners can be educated to recognize subtle signs of stress and urinary discomfort in their cats, and the veterinary team can encourage them to report back if problems are observed. Staying curious can also help the veterinary team stay abreast of new diagnostic and treatment approaches to FLUTD and learn new ways to connect with cat owners.

Royal Canin is here to help provided integrated care that supports the veterinary team’s recommendations with the tools to deliver breakthrough at-home screening and targeted nutrition for feline urinary issues. Because the veterinary team cannot go home with cat owners, the veterinary team can send owners home with support so they can stay proactive about their cat’s healthcare.