Feline urinary syndrome, also called FUS, is a condition which involves inflammation of the bladder. It is more common in male cats than females. The condition is treatable and the exact treatment your vet will prescribe will depend on the underlying cause.
Causes of Feline Urinary Syndrome
There are several possible causes of FUS, all of which require different treatments:
- Blocked urethra
- Stress - Your cat may have trouble urinating if it is under a lot of stress
- Bacterial cystitis and urethritis, which causes inflammation of the urethra
- A high level of acid in your cat's urine
- Uroliths - Crystals that form in the urinary tract and prevent your cat from urinating
- Diet - Cats eating dry food urinate less than cats that are fed wet food
- Water - Make sure your cat has an adequate supply of fresh water available
Some of the above are caused by poor health and hygiene, so it's important to make sure your cat gets enough exercise and that its litter box is cleaned regularly.
Symptoms of Feline Urinary Syndrome
Cats with FUS may exhibit a number of different symptoms. All of the below are potential signs of this condition, but are not exclusive to FUS. It is important to take your cat to the vet to rule out any other underlying causes.
- Trouble urinating - Obvious straining or discomfort
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Going to the litter box regularly to urinate but not producing any waste
In more serious cases of FUS, a blockage in the urethra may stop your cat from urinating altogether. This is more common in male cats and usually requires urgent surgery to fix. There are additional symptoms associated with urethral blockages, including:
- Obvious pain or howling when trying to urinate
- No urine produced
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swollen mass in abdomen
- Loss of appetite
This condition needs to be treated urgently as, without the ability to urinate, your cat is at risk of uremic poisoning. This can be fatal within 24 hours of the blockage first occurring and needs immediate attention from a vet.
How DL-Methionine Can Help
DL-Methionine is a drug prescribed by vets to relieve the symptoms of FUS. It is one of the 10 important amino acids that cats need, but is the one often most lacking in their diets. DL-Methionine raises the acidity content of your cat's urine, which helps break down any crystals that may have formed and reduced the inflammation in the urinary tract.
DL-Methionine Side Effects
Since DL-Methionine is raising the acidity of your cat's urine, there are potential side effects associated with this. These include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
If these side effects occur, you can try giving your cat the medication without food. Other side effects which are much rarer include dizziness, methemoglobinemia (where part of the body tissue doesn't receive enough oxygen), cyanosis (a blue colouring of the skin) and Heinz Body Formations (damaged haemoglobin molecules).
FUS can be distressing for your pet but with the right treatment, they can lead a normal quality of life, and it's possible he may never suffer from FUS again.