American Shorthair Cat

　　Male cats have long and narrow urethras, which makes urethral obstruction inherently more likely in males than females. Whatever the cause of FLUTD, it can cause urethral obstruction in male cats, sometimes due to stones, sometimes due to sloughed bladder mucosal epithelium, or a mixture of both. Therefore, male cats with this disease are at very high risk. When the urethra is obstructed, the kidneys cannot clear toxins from the blood or maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, causing uremia and electrolyte imbalances that lead to heart failure.

　　Early consultation is key

　　Repeated urethral obstructions cause irreversible kidney damage, resulting in kidney failure symptoms. Therefore, for male cats with multiple recurrences, urethrostomy surgery is currently the most effective solution. While the surgery does not resolve crystal formation or sloughed bladder mucosa, cats without urethral obstruction can live longer and healthier lives.

　　Thus, early detection is crucial for treatment. If your cat shows any of the following symptoms, you should pay close attention, as it may have FLUTD. If your cat is male, be doubly cautious, because it very likely has a blocked urethra and cannot urinate, requiring immediate veterinary care.