Urinary System Disease

Question 1

Upper urinary tract (2)
Lower urinary tract (2)

Answer 1

1. Kidneys (2)
2. Ureters (2)
3. Urinary bladder
4. Urethra

Question 2

What is the function of a normal, healthy kidney? (5)

Answer 2

1. Removes waste products from blood
2. Recover useful metabolites
3. Regulate body fluids
4. Regulate electrolytes
5. Produce hormones

Question 3

What wastes are removed from the kidneys? (3)

Answer 3

1. Urea (BUN):
   - By-product of dietary protein
2. Creatinine:
   - By-product of muscle metabolism
3. Drugs & toxins

Question 4

Clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease (5)

Answer 4

1. Dysuria
   - Straining to urinate or painful urination
2. Polyuria
   - Frequent small amounts of urine
3. Inappropriate urination
   - In the house, on the floor, in the sink
4. Excessive grooming of genitals

Question 5

Idiopathic Cystitis
1. Etiology
2. Dx
3. Supportive care

Answer 5

1. Etiology: Unknown
   - Theories include viral infection, neurologic disorder of urinary bladder, etc.
2. Dx:
   - Exclusion: all other causes have been eliminated.
   - After UA, bladder imaging & urine cult
3. Supportive care:
   - Pain relief
   - SQ fluids, dilute urine via diet
   - Min stress
   - No antiB!

Question 6

Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is…

Answer 6

This is a term for the clinical signs that might be caused by one of several etiologies.

• Previously known as “Feline urologic syndrome (FUS)”

Question 7

Urolithiasis - Feline
What is it?

Answer 7

Formation of urinary calculi anywhere in the urinary tract. Uroliths in the bladder or urethra present with signs consistent with lower urinary tract disease.

Question 8

How are feline uroliths caused?

Answer 8

By minerals or proteins precipitating in the urine as crystals. These adhere to form “stones.”

Question 9

What do feline uroliths do?

Answer 9

Cause irritation of the bladder lining. Can be nidus for infection and can cause obstruction in the urinary tract

Question 10

T/F: It is common for cats to get kidney stones

Answer 10

False! This is quite rare in cats, although crystals are common

Question 11

Urethral obstruction is a life-threatening emergency for ___ cats! Renal failure occurs within ___hrs of obstruction and death in ___-___ days if obstruction is left untreated.

Answer 11

1. Male cats
2. 24 hours
3. 3-5 days

Question 12

Feline uroliths
1. Etiology
2. Dx
3. Supportive care

Answer 12

1. Etiology
   - Diet
   - Concentrated urine
   - Metabolic disorder
2. Dx
   - UA
   - Imaging: ultrasound over rads
   - Uroliths analysis
3. Supportive care
   - Nutritional management
   - Sx or Urohydropulsion

Question 13

Struvite crystals
1. Most likely to occur in… (3)
2. Alkaline or acidic pH?
3. Dissolvable or not?

Answer 13

1. Occur in young, obese, &/or neutered cats
2. Alkaline pH
3. These are the ONLY dissolvable crystals

Question 14

Calcium oxalate
1. Most likely to occur in… (4)
2. Alkaline or acidic pH?
3. Dissolvable or not?

Answer 14

1. Occur in older cats, obese, neutered, &/or breed
   - Breeds: Persian, burmese, himalayan
2. Acidic pH
3. Not dissolvable