Cystitis in cats

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is a lower urinary tract disease that causes inflammation of the bladder in cats.

No one knows for sure what causes this type of cystitis, but it is believed to be related to an abnormal stress response that causes inflammation of the bladder lining. FIC is most common in cats that are stressed, overweight, inactive, and live with other cats.

Symptoms include:

- Difficult or painful urination
- Increased frequency of urination
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Frequent licking of the abdomen or area under the tail
- Anxiety/meowing
- Absence of urination for a long period of time - contact your veterinarian immediately!

The main ways to control symptoms:

1. Pain relief

It is necessary to use painkillers for cats - meloxivet, onsior, gabapentin, serinia

Check with your veterinarian about the dose, frequency of administration, course, and necessity of taking these drugs

2. Increase the amount of water drunk

- Provide several water bowls in different places.
- Use glass or ceramic bowls (not metal or plastic, which can leave an unpleasant taste in the water).
- Use wide, shallow bowls so that the cat's whiskers do not touch the sides
- Water fountains - some cats prefer to drink moving water
- Feeding wet food (it is recommended to switch the cat to a wet diet, 80% of the diet should be pouch or canned food)

3. Stress control

- It is important to try to identify and change specific stress triggers in the environment - it may be transportation, noise, another pet in the house, sudden changes in diet, owner stress, or strangers in the house.
- Boredom can cause stress in cats. Simple measures such as:
o Spending regular time playing with your cat - setting aside time each day and using new and different toys
o Change the environment so that there is a lot of interest for the cat (draping poles, etc.) and places for the cat to rest. Cats need space and need to be able to control their environment. It is important that they can explore the environment and have shelter - ideally on high places (e.g. furniture or cabinets).
o Using Feliway synthetic cat pheromone can help - either as a spray on bedding and furniture and/or as a diffuser to reduce stress and anxiety
o Safe sedatives can also be used (vetexpert calmvet, zilkene, gabapentin, bifarno stress)

4. Special supplements/food

Urethral obstruction

The cat's urethra is narrow, and in the presence of urine crystals and increased mucus secretion due to inflammation, a blockage may form and the bladder cannot be emptied. If the urine does not pass, toxins accumulate and death can occur within a few days.

If a cat develops a complete or partial urethral obstruction during an episode of cystitis, it is a life-threatening situation and the obstruction should be removed immediately. If dangerous toxins have accumulated, intravenous fluid therapy is necessary to reverse the situation. You need to contact a veterinary clinic immediately!