Feline cystitisoccurs when the cat’s bladder is swollen. Cystitis may be a consequence of the feline urologic syndrome (FUS) or the feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
Detecting the cystitis is easy, as the disease has clear symptoms. The treatment will include antibiotics and possibly some pain relievers. Neutered or spayed cats are more susceptible to cystitis.
Symptoms of Feline Cystitis
The symptoms of feline cystitis will be visible as you will notice a change in your pet’s urination behavior. The cat will urinate more frequently, sometimes even in spots different than the litter box. If the bladder is swollen, the cat will experience pain when urinating, so he will try to find spots to urinate believing that the litter box causes the pain.
Due to the pain, the cat may strain to urinate; he may also cry or be very vocal prior to urinating.
You will also notice some of the following symptoms:
- Blood in the urine
- Foul urine odor
- Excessive licking of genitals
- Increased thirst
- Tiredness
- Irritability, due to pain
- Aggressiveness (biting and scratching even if your cat didn’t display this behavior before)
Diagnosing Cystitis
Cystitis may be diagnosed through a urinalysis, so a urine sample will be needed. The vet will determine if the bladder is infected and the bacteria that cause the infection.
Cystitis Treatment
The treatment of feline cystitis should start with an increase of the water administrated to the cat. The bacteria causing the swollen bladder should be flushed out.
In addition, the cat will receive some antibiotics. The vet will decide on the most suitable antibiotics, depending on the type of bacteria found in the urine. The treatment should last for 7 to 14 days, depending on how your cat responds to medication. Even if the symptoms disappear, the treatment should be continued at least for 2 more days.
In some cases, the antibiotics will not be needed as the water may flush out all the bacteria. However, consult your vet and decide on the best treatment for your pet’s condition.
Meanwhile, reduce the amount of minerals in your pet’s diet. Your vet may prescribe a special diet during the treatment.
If the cat is in a lot of pain, pain killers should be prescribed.
Homeopathic remedies for cystitis are also available. Talk to a holistic vet to get a suitable treatment.
Chronic Cystitis
Feline cystitis may reoccur, so you should keep an eye on your cat. If the condition is chronic, the vet may recommend a special diet and in some cases surgery may be the solution. The perineal urethrostomy is a surgical procedure that can prevent cystitis in cats; a part of the urethra will be removed. This procedure has a few risks and may lead to a more frequent occurrence of urinary tract infections or kidney and bladder stones.
Chronic cystitis may be caused by stress, so make sure to remove the stress factors form your cat’s environment or opt for mild anti anxiety medication.