Studies on Feline lower Urinary Tract Disease in Egypt Cat Population

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 56 cats (49 males and 7 females) who presented with signs of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Abdominal radiographs and ultrasounds, urinalysis, bacterial culture, and stone analysis were performed. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were investigated. Urine sample analysis was investigated microscopically. The results indicated that the most common causes of lower urinary tract affections were urolithiasis (37.5%), followed by feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) (33.9%), bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) (14.2%), urethral plugs (10.7%) and neoplasia (3.5%). Urethral obstruction was (42.8%) more frequent in cats with urolithiasis, urethral plugs and FIC. Cats with FIC and urethral plugs were significantly younger than other diagnostic groups. Cats with urolithiasis and neoplasia had higher body weights than other FLUTD groups. Persian cats (39.5%) were the most affected breed. The mineral compositions in the analyzed uroliths were calcium oxalate (62.5%), struvite (50%) and ammonium urate (25%). FLUTD urine sediment crystalluria were triple phosphate struvite crystals (51.7%), calcium oxalate crystals (16.0%), and ammonium urate crystals (12.5%). FIC, urethral plugs and urolithiasis showed a significant increase in crystalluria and urethral obstruction. Urethral obstruction represented 42.8%, and it occurred frequently in cats with urolithiasis, urethral plugs and FIC. Post-renal azotemia with increased BUN and creatinine concentrations was detected in obstructive urolithiasis, urethral plugs and FIC. The identified bacterial cultures included Escherichia coli (37.5%), Staphylococcus aurous (37.5%) and Proteus species (25%) . The results obtained from the study indicate that age, breed, sex and indoor confinement represent real challenges in developing lower urinary tract affections.