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Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) refers to a series of painful conditions, ranging from urinary tract infections, feline idiopathic cystitis, and urinary blockage to cancer, that can affect a cat’s lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and the urethra. The buildup of bacteria and inflammatory debris or the formation of bladder stones or crystals can all cause painful blockages, which can lead to death if left untreated.
An appointment with a veterinarian is needed to promptly and properly diagnose which FLUTD issues your cat is experiencing so they can receive proper treatment. Urinary treatment costs can vary significantly depending on the severity of your cat’s case, but generally, you can expect to pay $250 to $600 for an uncomplicated UTI, $1,400 to $4,000 for bladder stones treatment, or $2,000 to $5,000 for obstruction treatment.
Here, we compiled a list of potential prices to help you plan for a FLUTD emergency, but please speak to your vet about a more accurate estimate of cost based on your cat’s particular circumstances.
The Importance of Cat Urinary Treatment
Proper care and treatment are going to be very important if your cat is experiencing FLUTD signs. A cat with urinary tract issues may have crystals, urinary stones, or inflammatory debris in their bladder, leading to painful blockages, discomfort, and even death if their urethra is totally obstructed.
Signs of urinary issues in cats include trying to urinate frequently with no urine output (or very little), bloody urine, painful vocalization, reduced appetite, lethargy, or vomiting. Many cats also start to urinate in other areas of the home, such as bathtubs, sinks, sofas, and your clean laundry.
If your cat is experiencing any of these signs or behaviors, it’s important to reach out to your veterinarian as soon as you notice an issue. There are several different types of FLUTD, so your vet may have to perform a series of tests to identify the exact issue that your cat is experiencing.
The 4 Types of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): A UTI is usually caused by ascending bacteria colonizing the urinary tract. Affected cats will strain to pee, but usually, only a tiny amount of urine (sometimes with blood) or none at all will be expelled. A UTI cannot be distinguished from a urinary blockage, which is life-threatening, without a veterinary exam.
- Bladder Stone (Urolithiasis): Some cats may develop bladder stones. These may form due to changes in urine pH, the presence of protein in the urine, or even a UTI in certain cases. These can lead to painful bladder inflammation and irritation that can cause a life-threatening urinary blockage. In this instance, urine is prevented from exiting the bladder or the urethra, which can cause death.
- Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC): Cats experiencing FIC will have inflammation of the bladder without the presence of stones or bacteria. It can be very severe, and male cats may experience obstruction of the urethra.
- Bladder or Urethra Cancer: It’s rare to find a case of bladder or urethra cancer in cats, but it can occur, and diagnostic imaging tests are performed to rule it out.
How Much Does Cat Urinary Treatment Cost?
Treatment for cat urinary problems can vary greatly depending on the underlying FLUTD issue your cat is experiencing. A visit to the veterinarian is a necessity, as trying to treat your cat’s signs on your own when they’re dealing with a blocked urethra can result in death. The costs for cat urinary treatment can vary a little from practice to practice, but they’re roughly the same throughout the United States.
Treating UTIs
An uncomplicated UTI will typically cost between $200 and $600 to treat. The treatment usually includes the cost of the vet visit, urinalysis, urine culture and sensitivity testing, X-rays (if needed), antibiotics, and possibly a prescription urinary diet. Non-surgical treatment with a catheter or ultrasound-guided cystocentesis to obtain a sterile urine sample from the bladder using a needle and syringe may be required, which can cost between $750 and $1,500 if the cat doesn’t develop an obstruction. This price will usually include the vet visit, diagnostic tests, urine sample testing, and prescription diet, if required.
Treating Bladder Stones
A cystotomy is a procedure for bladder stone removal that can cost pet owners a fair amount of money depending on the severity of the stones involved. The costs may vary across the country due to a variety of factors, including how advanced the condition got, pre- and post-operative medications, ultrasounds, X-rays, and hospitalization.
In general, cystotomy will typically cost anywhere between $1,400 and $4,000, depending on the aforementioned factors, the necessary length of treatment, and the extent of required complementary diagnostic testing. Certain bladder stones and crystals, such as struvites, can be treated using medical dissolution and the help of a specific prescription diet, unless they have caused a urinary blockage or ongoing pain and inflammation, in which case, surgery is usually recommended.
Treating Recurring Blockages
If a male cat has multiple obstructions over time, a surgery called perineal urethrostomy (PU) will need to be performed in order to reduce recurrent blockages of the urethra. A PU surgery makes the urethra wider, leading to fewer blockages.
However, there is no guarantee that the cat will not experience blockages again in their life. The costs for this procedure, along with medications, hospitalization, diagnostics, blood testing, etc., typically run between $1,200 and $5,000, depending on the severity of your cat’s case.
4 Ways to Reduce FLUTD in Cats
Once your cat experiences a urinary problem like a UTI or blockage, there is a significant chance that your favorite feline will experience another urinary issue.
- Having clean litter boxes and ensuring that there is at least one per cat in the household may encourage your cat to empty their bladder more If you have multiple cats, have at least one more litter box available in the house than the number of cats you own.
- Consuming an adequate amount of water is important to reduce urinary tract infections or blockages. A drinking fountain will encourage your cat to drink, and changing their diet to canned food will help increase their hydration.
- Nutrition will be key for many cats to help prevent urinary tract issues. Many vets will put cats on special prescription urinary tract diets that help to prevent crystals from developing or that may help dissolve existing crystals.
- Stress can impact a cat’s urinary health. They need plenty of playtime with you, cat towers, scratchers, and toys to keep them active and help reduce any potential stress they may be feeling.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Urinary Treatment?
Cat owners who insured their pets from a young age are more likely to have urinary treatments covered as part of their accident and illness coverage with their pet insurance company. Getting coverage early, while your pet is still young and healthy, means that if your cat develops any FLUTD issues, they’re not considered pre-existing conditions. Call your pet insurance company to check if they’ll cover urinary issues if your cat is displaying signs of FLUTD.
If you’re not insured and your cat recently had a FLUTD issue, it may be difficult to get coverage, as many of the associated urinary issues are considered pre-existing, and insurance won’t cover them. That said, some pet insurance companies are now covering curable pre-existing conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, if the condition was treated and cured within 180–365 days of obtaining coverage. But bladder crystals and urinary blockages are usually considered incurable pre-existing conditions and will often not be covered by new pet insurance policies.
Conclusion
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) can be a very scary thing when it happens to your cat, and urinary treatment can be expensive. Proper treatment by a licensed veterinarian is the only way to ensure the best health outcome for your cat so they can continue to live a long and healthy life. We hope that this updated price guide helps you prepare for the costs associated with the life-saving veterinary care your cat needs if they experience a FLUTD health issue.
Featured Image Credit: Tatyana Vyc, Shutterstock
