PART A: INTRODUCTION TO FLUTDThere are several possible causes for this condition, which is sometimes called Feline Urinary Syndrome (FUS) or Feline Interstitial Cystitis (FIC).
This site summarises most of the main theories about the causes and treatment of FLUTD.
PART B: SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ABOUT FLUTD ON THE WEB1. There appears to be general agreement that the following 'low-tech' approaches to treatment of FLUTD are valid:
2. Some approaches to treatment seem to have been largely been rejected including:
3. Although the support for the following treatments is far from universal, several sources back the following treatments:
For more information about the work which others have done in order to arrive at the above conclusions, please read on....
PART C: ACADEMIC WORK ON ON FLUTDDr. James' Lecture 7 is an excellent summary of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease.
Download the Microsoft Word file FLUTD.DOC for the complete text of this lecture.
2. Dr. Dave E. Bjorling, University of Wisconsin
Dr. Bjorlink is researching role of antigens and inflammatory mediators in FLUTD
3. Susan L. Ford, University of Florida
Dr. Ford's area of interest is Feline Interstitial Cystitis and its association with altered glycosaminoglycans
This site, which reproduces an article from "The Journal of Small Animal Practice", makes the connection between FLUTD and periodontal disease (or "mature plaque flora") leading to inflammatory infiltrates/auto-immune responses.
Providing raw meaty bones, in the form of chicken, quail, rabbit or fish, comprising at least 90% of the diet causes ongoing oral health to prevail.
Corticosteroids and antibiotics still have a place.
This site notes similarities with Human Interstitial Cystitis (i.e. the invasion of bladder and other tissue by urine because of breakdowns in the bladder lining).
Stress may be a factor.
The main recommendations are:
This link points to an archive of chat with Dr. Buffington on the subject of FLUTD.
7. Dr. Tony Buffington, Professor of clinical nutrition, Ohio State University (2)
This is a pointer to work by Tony Buffington, DVM, Ph.D., Ohio State University,
Low magnesium diet, clean water dishes daily, encourage water intake, use multiple clean litter boxes
PART D: SPONSORED/VOLUNTARY WORK ON FLUTDFLUTD divided by this source into Obstructive and Non-Obstructive.
Non-Obstructive FLUTD is further divided into Type I (minority) which has causes similar to Obstructive FLUTDand Type II (majority) which is known as 'idiopathic' FLUTD
Newman Veterinary recommends:
Newman Veterinary does not recommend low magnesium or low pH diets and warns that FLUTD diets may have adverse effects on renal function.
2. Newman Veterinary - Interstitial Cystitis site
Autoimmunity is most popular theory, though several other causes are considered.
The exclusive consumption of dry food--regardless of composition or effect on urine pH--is a common historical finding in cats with idiopathic cystitis.
The use of canned/moist food must be considered in treating these cats.
Other recommendation are amitriptylline or other antihistamine (e.g. hydroxazine); Probably these act to limit mast cell degranulation as well as pain/discomfort-induced anxiety (in the case of amitriptylline)
Whether neutraceuticals (e.g.Cosequin®) or other medications may be of benefit is presently an unknown.
Corticosteroids, intravesicular DMSO and "bladder stripping" do not appear to be effective in the cat.
Avoid Poor quality dry cat foods, which contain low amounts of animal products and large amounts of plant products.Acidifying the urine also helps. Ascorbic acid or vitamin C supplementation and low ash diets are in order.The best prevention is to neuter our males after they reach adult stature, feed good quality cat food with adequate animal products and provide fresh good quality drinking water.
Ammonium chloride is mentioned here as a possible urinary acidifier.
This site provided several of the other links on this page.
You should definitely consult it if you have non-FLUTD feline medical issues.
Now that this page exists, you probably don't need to go to this site if your only interest is in FLUTD.
According to this site, early neutering is NOT a factor in FLUTD.
Congenital malformations of the bladder may cause some FLUTD.
Other suspects are:
Therapy of interstitial cystitis is currently evolving.
One promising approach is to use a drug such as amitriptyline, which has many valuable qualities. It decreases the pain associated with the condition and also can decrease inflammation.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are also sometimes used to decrease inflammation. Other types of drugs, such as pentosan polysulfate or glucosamine, are used to help repair the lining of the bladder. No matter what type of therapy is used, it is important to decrease any stress factors as much as possible
Work sponsored by IAMS indicates that neutered male cats were at greater risk for FLUTD.
Stress, such as weather changes or new pets in the household, may trigger FLUTD.
Diet does not appear to protect a cat from developing the symptoms although some foods were associated with the occurrence of FLUTD more than others.
Amitriptyline used for side effects of its normal use as an anti-anxiety medication that are beneficial to the lower urinary tract.
DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is also used in some cases.
More recently there has been interest in using the glycosamines (GAGs)
10. www.bayeast.com - Animal Hospital
The main recommendations from Bay East are:
This site emphasises that obesity is a risk factor for FLUTD.
This site also recommends avoiding obesity and also:
Because the causes of FLUTD are uncertain, this site just recommends:
Public funding is evidently available in some countries for FLUTD research
PART E: DIETS WHICH MAY REDUCE INCIDENCE OF FLUTDThis company provides diets which are low in magnesium and high in natural Vitamin C (from berries).
According to this company, ash is no longer believed to be a significant factor in FLUTD
Once again, this company says that 'Ash' in diet is not a factor which causes FLUTD.
They also state that diets which contain large amounts of amino acids methionine and lysine will naturally acidify the diet.
Vitamin C is also mentioned as being useful for repairing skin and reducing urinary pH.
This company's product is 'Subrosa n.o.f.u.s.' - a natural herbal dietary supplement containing bee pollen and vitamin C.
The product 'Nutro Max Cat' and similar products for juvenile and geriatric cats are said to reduces urinary pH.
Waltham produces anti-struvite and anti-calcium oxalate diets.
Email: t_d_williams@hotmail.com
Last Updated: 19990608 00:04