Diagnostic and epidemiological studies on obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) with special reference to anatomical findings in Egyptian tomcats

Abstract

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a common urinary problem facing small animal veterinarians all over the world. There are few data about the occurrence and prevalence of this condition among tomcats in Egypt, especially regarding obstructive FLUTD. Urethral obstruction was more prevalent in the Persian breed, 2-3 years old intact tomcats kept mostly on dry food with occasional access to water. This affection occurred more commonly in winter months and especially in case of aggression and stress between tomcats. Physical, haematobiochemical evaluation and urinalysis were performed for cases with obstructive FLUTD. The anatomical analysis of the urethral anatomy of tomcats revealed that the most susceptible parts of urethra for obstructions were at the prostatic and the membranous urethra, isthmus urethrae and the penile urethra. Also, anatomical data were very helpful during treatment with catheterisation. The present study throwed a light on the diagnostic evaluation and epidemiology of the obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease among tomcats at the Small animal hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.