INHERITED AND CONGENITAL DISEASES OF THE FELINE LOWER URINARY-TRACT

Congenital urinary tract disorders of young cats may result from herit able (genetic) or acquired disease processes that affect differentiati on and growth of the developing urinary tract, or from similar disease processes that eventually affect the structure or function of the mat ure urinary system. Although congenital diseases of the feline lower u rinary tract are uncommon, clinical signs associated with these anomal ies may be indistinguishable from those of other acquired causes of lo wer urinary tract disease. Early detection and proper management of co ngenital disorders may result in restoration of urinary bladder and ur ethral function and/or progressive urinary tract dysfunction.