Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) Lyme Disease What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is a tick-borne, bacterial disease that affects both dogs and people.  Cats have a natural immunity to it. How is Lyme disease spread? It is spread from a bite by a tick carrying the disease. Should I be concerned about ticks year round? Yes, although tick activity declines at temperatures below 40 degrees, they are present through out the winter. For optimal protection, Ludwigs Corner Veterinary Hospital recommends tick prevention year round. What symptoms would my dog exhibit? Lameness or stiffness Fever Anorexia Swelling of joints Lethargy Depression The majority of dogs with Lyme Disease show no clinical signs What can we do to protect our dog? 1.     Use of preventative products such as frontline and preventic collars to kill and detach ticks. 2.     Yearly blood screening to diagnose sub clinical cases. 3.     Annual Vaccination against Lyme Disease. Interesting Facts about Lyme Disease Chester County and surrounding areas have the highest concentration of Human Lyme Disease cases in the United States. Cases of Lyme Disease reported to the Center for Disease Control have more than tripled since 1990. Approximately 50% of dogs seen at Ludwigs Corner Veterinary Hospital will test positive for exposure to Lyme Disease during a routine physical exam. Untreated Lyme Disease can cause chronic arthritis, neurologic disorders, heart damage, and irreversible kidney failure leading to death. Lyme disease is treated with a month's course of antibiotics.  Despite this, the disease will lay dormant in the body and may flare up at any time. The Lyme vaccine, LymeVaxÒ from Fort Dodge, is 78% effective and is required yearly after two initial boosters. * Please call if you have any questions. Ludwigs Corner Veterinary Hospital (610) 458-8567 *Medical information from JAVMA, Vol 202, No. 11, June 1 1993 Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, or FLUTD, is a general term, which is associated with a syndrome of diseases affecting the lower urinary tract of the domestic cat. FLUTD affects males and female cats equally. Many cat owners are familiar with the older term FUS (Feline Urologic Syndrome) and often think that the term refers to a single specific disease. Use of the more correct term FLUTD underscores the fact that a similar set of symptoms involving the urinary tract may in fact have many different causes.  Correct diagnosis and treatment is essential. It is estimated that only 1% of the cat population suffers from FLUTD, and yet 10% of the cats treated by veterinarians are treated for FLUTD. Urinary tract problems are a major area of concern for cat owners.  FLUTD can be caused by anatomical defects in the urinary system, the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, tumors, urethral plugs, stones or crystals (uroliths), or any combination of these factors.  Frustratingly, there are many cases where the exact cause of the problem can not be determined. Fortunately, treatment can be instituted…even if the cause of the problem cannot be pinpointed. The following are symptoms associated with this disease.  If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see us immediately. Frequent urination You may notice your cat frequents the litter box, often only passing a few drops of urine in each trip. Because of the irritation to the bladder wall, your cat may urinate someplace other that his litter box. This will often occur on hard, cool surfaces, such as the bathtub or shower or some other location outside the litter box. Difficult or painful urination Your cat may cry or yowl when straining to urinate. This may be confused with constipation. Blood in the urine Excessive licking of the genital area Depression, dehydration, lack of appetite, and sometimes vomiting FLUTD is a confounding disease, as each case is treated differently depending on the presence or absence of infectious agents, abnormal cells, blockage, crystals and/or stones, the pH of the urine and the cat's presenting clinical symptoms.  It becomes even more complicated when uroliths are present, because treatment is affected by the type of uroliths in the urine. In general, the following tips may help prevent the occurrence or recurrence of FLUTD: In past years, dietary factors have received a great deal of attention as both a cause and cure of urinary problems in cats.  Manipulation of urine pH with diet or drugs may be helpful in reducing formation of urinary crystals. These crystals can combine with mucus to create a plug, which is capable of blocking the outflow of urine from the bladder. Actual obstruction of the urethra is more likely to occur in the male cat than the female due to the male's longer and narrower urethra.  At this time most of the commercial cat diets are formulated to produce an acidic urine in cats which can help address certain types of crystals. It is important to appreciate however, that crystals can still be a factor and other types of treatment may be needed.  If your cat has already suffered a bout of FLUTD, follow your veterinarian's advice closely. A special diet may be necessary. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Use a non-tippable bowl. Be certain that your cat is emptying the bowl by drinking the water, not playing with it. It may help to use distilled water exclusively.  Some municipal water systems may contain chemicals (i.e., chlorine) that may precipitate urinary problems. Do not feed table scraps and limit the number of treats. Keep the litter box clean and easily accessible to your cat. They will also appreciate any privacy afforded them while using the litter box.  Holding urine in the bladder for long periods can precipitate problems. Encourage your cat to exercise or play. Maintain your cat's proper weight. Minimize stress factors such as sudden changes in environment, exposure to harsh weather conditions and emotional upsets. Schedule regular veterinary checkups. Follow the veterinarian's dietary recommendations. Always observe your cat for any straining, blood in urine, etc.  Report abnormalities to your veterinarian at once. Introducing FLAVORx Your pet's prescription can now be made into a tasty flavored liquid! The FLAVORx veterinary system is based on the pediatric FLAVORx System, which has been around for over a decade and is in over 14,000 pharmacies across the United States. It has been used in veterinary hospitals for the past 2 years. The FLAVORx Veterinary System benefits include: Animals on long-term medications can have a different flavor for every cycle of medicine. FLAVORx compounds medications into liquid for easy administering to cats, dogs, and pocket pets! No more cats and dogs spitting their pills out. Flavors include: Grilled Tuna, Chicken Pot Pie, Red Angus Beef, Fish Chowder, Crispy Bacon, Peanut Butter, Cheddar, Roasted Lamb, Chopped Liver, Salmon Steak, Whitefish Salad, Shrimp Cocktail, Sardine Splendor, Mother's Milk (for kittens), Molasses, and Banana Bread. For more information please check out http://pets.flavorx.com