Cats can develop idiopathic cystitis, which is a condition that leads to inflammation in the bladder. Idiopathic cystitis has no known cause and many cats with idiopathic cystitis will experience recurrent episodes of urinary tract inflammation, often leading to pain, urination difficulties, and even blood in the urine. However, there are some things you can do if your cat is diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis. Managing idiopathic cystitis in cats involves using the right food, medication, and environment. If your cat has idiopathic cystitis symptoms such as straining to urinate or painful urination, take him or her to see your veterinarian right away.
What is feline idiopathic cystitis?
Feline idiopathic cystitis is a disease syndrome that affects cats and is characterized by the presence of bladder inflammation that has no known cause. Idiopathic cystitis in cats accounts for between 60-65% of cases of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) in cats, according to several studies.
Many cats with idiopathic cystitis will experience recurrent episodes of urinary tract inflammation, often leading to pain, urination difficulties, and even blood in the urine. The cause of idiopathic cystitis in cats is unknown but it appears to be a multifactorial disease affecting cats from the ages of 2 - 6 years. In cats with idiopathic cystitis, stressors, and environmental factors can precipitate the disease.
Studies have shown that stressors such as moving into a new home or living with other cats occurred more frequently in cats with idiopathic cystitis.
How is feline idiopathic cystitis diagnosed?
A diagnosis of idiopathic cystitis is made based on clinical examination, medical history, and urinalysis. Feline idiopathic cystitis is a diagnosis of exclusion which means it can only be diagnosed after all other symptoms of lower urinary tract disease have been ruled out.
A urinalysis can help rule out the possibility of bladder infections, crystals, and other diseases of the urinary system. X-rays or ultrasound would be used to evaluate for any evidence of bladder stones, masses, or polyps that can be contributing to the clinical symptoms.
What are the symptoms of idiopathic cystitis in cats?
An analysis of 64 cats with idiopathic cystitis found that the average duration of clinical signs was 7 days. Common signs include:
- Hematuria - Blood in the urine
- Pollakiuria - Increased frequency of urination
- Stranguria - Small, frequent urinations
- Dysuria - Painful urination
There may be nonspecific signs such as lack of appetite (anorexia), lethargy, vomiting, poor grooming habits, vocalization, and decreased social interaction. A large number of cats with idiopathic cystitis will also urinate outside the litter box while continuing to use the litter box for defecation.
Treatment strategies for managing idiopathic cystitis in cats
Veterinary intervention is necessary for acute idiopathic cystitis treatment and management. During an acute episode of idiopathic cystitis, transitioning to feeding 100% canned, moist food is beneficial.
Excess water intake will help create urine dilution which reduces the effects of inflammation on the bladder. Your veterinarian will prescribe pain medication and anti-inflammatories to help manage idiopathic cystitis in your cat. To reduce to risk of urethral blockage in male cats, a smooth muscle relaxant such as prazosin is often prescribed.
Cats diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis should also be kept indoors and away from stressful situations.
Some long-term strategies for managing idiopathic cystitis in cats include:
- Feeding your cat a high-quality diet that is designed for urinary tract health and is high in antioxidants and omega fatty acids.
- Encouraging your cat to drink plenty of water. This can be accomplished by feeding canned food or utilizing a running water source, such as a water fountain.
- Administering medications to help reduce stress and anxiety. Common medications used are amitriptyline, clomipramine, and fluoxetine.
- Providing a comfortable environment and eliminating potential stressors for your cat.
Risk factors for idiopathic cystitis in cats
A lot of factors can increase your cat's risk of developing idiopathic cystitis including excessive body weight, restricted access to outdoor areas, decreased activity levels, conflict between cats, non-clumping litter, having a nervous attitude, eating mostly dry food, and other environmental stressors. These risk factors make managing idiopathic cystitis in cats more difficult. Having a male cat with idiopathic cystitis is a risk factor for urethral obstruction and blockage.
What is the prognosis for cats with idiopathic cystitis?
To improve success in managing idiopathic cystitis in cats, you must be aware of the clinical symptoms your cat may reveal. If you notice any straining to urinate, blood in the urine, and/or lack of social interaction, please call your veterinarian immediately.
The prognosis for managing idiopathic cystitis can be good provided that you limit stressful events for your cat, feed your cat a high-quality diet that is designed for urinary tract health, encourage your cat to drink plenty of water, and provide pain anti-inflammatory medication when necessary. Feline idiopathic cystitis is a frustrating condition for both veterinarians and cat owners but we have to appreciate that this is not a condition that can be cured, only managed. Cats however have the ability to "outgrow" this condition because it is quite uncommon for symptoms to continue past the age of 10.
In this article, we discussed idiopathic cystitis in cats and the various ways to manage the condition. Idiopathic cystitis is a bladder inflammation that has no known cause, and many cats with the condition will experience recurrent episodes of urinary tract inflammation. There are several things you can do to help manage idiopathic cystitis in cats, such as feeding them a high-quality canned diet, providing pain medication, and eliminating potential stressors from their environment. The prognosis for managing idiopathic cystitis is good as long as you take the necessary steps to help your cat.