What are the early symptoms of feline cystitis? A veterinarian explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment in detail.

Has your beloved cat been going to the litter box repeatedly, or urinating outside of it?

These symptoms could indicate cystitis. Urinary problems are common in cats. This article explains feline cystitis.

Causes of Feline Cystitis

Cats are prone to problems with their bladder and urethra, which are collectively known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Of these, 55% are cystitis. Most cases of feline cystitis are idiopathic cystitis.

The cause of idiopathic cystitis is not clear, and its pathogenesis is not well understood, but stress is believed to be a contributing factor. In multi-cat households, idiopathic cystitis is relatively common, and strong stress from other cats may be a cause.

In addition, idiopathic cystitis often occurs in winter, and a decrease in activity level and water intake are also considered contributing factors.

Here are some characteristics of cats and living environments that are prone to idiopathic cystitis:

• Spayed/neutered
• Obese or low activity level
• Multi-cat household
• Prone to stress (e.g., moving, frequent visitors)
• Timid
• Insufficient litter box cleaning or number of litter boxes
• Primary diet is dry food

If these characteristics apply, caution is advised.

Symptoms of Feline Cystitis

When a cat develops cystitis, the following symptoms may appear:

• Frequent urination
• Bloody urine
• Urination outside the litter box
• Repeatedly going to the litter box
• Adopting a urinating posture but not passing urine
• Crying during urination
• Loss of appetite
• Becoming angry when touched on the abdomen
• Vomiting

When cystitis occurs, inflammation of the bladder lining causes blood in the urine. If blood components clog the urethra, it can lead to urethral obstruction and inability to urinate. If the inability to urinate continues, it can lead to acute renal failure, increasing the likelihood of death.

Treatment for Feline Cystitis

If your cat shows symptoms of cystitis, seek veterinary attention immediately. In particular, if the cat is unable to urinate for several hours, it can lead to acute renal failure. Let's discuss the treatment for feline cystitis.

Switch to therapeutic diet

Therapeutic diets for feline idiopathic cystitis have been developed. Idiopathic cystitis has a high recurrence rate, so it is advisable to switch to a therapeutic diet to prevent recurrence.

It is known that idiopathic cystitis is less likely to recur with increased water intake. The use of wet food is also effective, not just dry food.

Use supplements

Several supplements have been developed to address stress, which is considered a cause of feline idiopathic cystitis. In addition, some therapeutic diets have supplement ingredients added to the food.

Treat with oral medication

If the cystitis is not severe, the main treatment will be therapeutic diets, supplements, and oral medications.

Idiopathic cystitis is not caused by bacteria. Therefore, painkillers and hemostatic agents are used to monitor the progress.

Administer intravenous fluids

It is believed that inflammatory substances accumulate in the bladder of cats with cystitis. Therefore, subcutaneous or intravenous fluids are administered to increase urine output and dilute the inflammatory substances in the bladder. Painkillers, antibiotics, and hemostatic agents may also be administered during fluid therapy.

If the symptoms of cystitis are severe, or if the cat has difficulty taking oral medication, intravenous fluids may be administered. This may require several days of hospital visits for fluid therapy.

Treatment for urethral obstruction

If blood clots or other blockages cause urethral obstruction, emergency treatment is required. A catheter is inserted into the urethra under anesthesia to relieve the obstruction. Since most cases of urinary obstruction involve bloody urine, bladder lavage with saline solution is also performed.

To prevent re-obstruction, the urinary catheter is left in place for several days.

If urinary obstruction occurs, several days of hospitalization are required. During hospitalization, 24-hour intravenous fluid therapy is administered to ensure adequate urine output and improve kidney function.

If the urinary obstruction lasts a long time, it can lead to acute renal failure. If blood tests show very poor kidney function and electrolyte balance, there is a higher chance that the cat may not survive despite treatment.

Urethral obstruction is a severe manifestation of idiopathic cystitis. Therefore, many tests and procedures are performed, and treatment costs are high.

How to Prevent Feline Cystitis

Feline cystitis can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Stress is considered the cause of idiopathic cystitis, and addressing stress can prevent recurrence. Re-evaluate your current living environment.

Here are some preventive measures for feline idiopathic cystitis:

• Provide one litter box per cat plus one extra.
• Provide multiple water sources or change water bowls.
• Provide hiding places for cats.
• Help your cat lose weight.
• If your cat has had idiopathic cystitis before, increase water intake with wet food.

The cost of treating feline cystitis can be quite high depending on the severity of the symptoms. It is important to take preventive measures to avoid cystitis.

Summary

It is known that cats that have had cystitis often experience recurrences. If you notice any unusual urine, or if your cat is circling the litter box, or showing any symptoms that suggest cystitis, do not wait and take them to the vet immediately. It is also important to observe your cat's urination habits regularly.

To prevent your beloved cat from suffering from cystitis, strive to create a stress-free environment for them.