2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract diseases in cats.

Abstract

Practical relevance: Lower urinary tract signs (LUTS) such as dysuria, haematuria, periuria, pollakiuria and stranguria can occur as the result of a variety of underlying conditions and diagnostic investigation is required to uncover the underlying cause and select appropriate treatment.

Aim: The '2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract diseases in cats' provide an overview of the common presenting signs caused by underlying feline lower urinary tract (LUT) diseases in cats, which often are indistinguishable between different underlying causes. The Guidelines set out a diagnostic approach to affected cats before focusing on the most common causes of LUTS: feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), urolithiasis, urinary tract infection and urethral obstruction. The aim is to provide practitioners with practical information on these problematic conditions.

Clinical challenges: The fact that LUTS are similar despite different underlying causes creates a diagnostic challenge. The most common cause of LUTS, FIC, is challenging to manage due to a complex pathogenesis involving organs outside the LUT. Urethral obstruction is a life-threatening complication of various underlying LUT diseases and recurrent LUTS can lead to relinquishment or euthanasia of affected cats.

Evidence base: These Guidelines have been created by a panel of experts brought together by International Cat Care (iCatCare) Veterinary Society (formerly the International Society of Feline Medicine [ISFM]). Information is based on the available literature, expert opinion and the panel members' experience.