This is the most common disorder affecting the lower urinary tract in male cats.FUS is a real concern for cat owners for it has a 50 to 70% recurrence rate.
FUS,also knowen as "blocked cat" syndrome,can include any or all of the following; cystitis,urethrits,urethral plugs containing little mineral content and urinary stones.Young inactive males are the most often affected.
FUS is caused by plugging of the urethra by a paste like,gritty or sandy material,composed primarily of mucus and struvite crystals which are about the size of salt.
Haveing mostly male cats,Urinary Tract problems are something too familler to me.About 4 years ago,my cat Ren came up to me while I was watching TV.Something about him didn't seem right.I gave him some food and he threw it up right away.He was walking funny and when I would touch him,he would cry out in pain.Ren was blocked.I rushed him to the vet right away.
I am happy to say that Ren has not blocked since and he is now on a special diet to help prevent a reoccurence.
Signs of trouble are obvious distress during urination such as straining,dribbling,licking at the penis or vulva,crying out in pain,squatting but not passing urine.Sudden urges to go to the litter box or going in places where normaly he would not.Pain and swelling in the lower abdomen or the passage of mucus,gravel,blood clots or bloody urine,and loss of urinary control.
If you notice your cat doing any of these things,a trip to the vet right away is a MUST!.This is something that can't wait.
Although Urinary problems arn't necessarily caused by diet alone,I have found that feeding a high qullity cat food such as Science Diet really helps to prevent blockage from happening.And always make sure your cat has penlty of fresh water avaliable at all times.
