Risk factors associated with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease in indoor-housed cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine associations between environmental and cat-related factors and lower urinary tract signs in indoor-housed domestic cats.


METHODS
Case-control study. Animals-238 healthy cats, 157 cats with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease, and 70 cats with other diseases.


METHODS
Data collected from owners of the cats were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, environmental variables, and physical and behavioral signs were analyzed by use of ANOVA and logistic regression analysis to assess which factors were associated with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease.


RESULTS
The only demographic or environmental factors associated with lower urinary tract signs were older age and months owned. In contrast, cats with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease had significantly greater owner-observed gastrointestinal tract signs and scratching, fearful, nervous, and aggressive behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower urinary tract signs in indoor-housed cats may be more closely associated with cat-related factors than with demographic or environmental factors.
Buffington
C A Tony
CA
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Westropp
Jodi L
JL
Chew
Dennis J
DJ
Bolus
Roger R
RR
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*