12/18/2024
We wanted to take the opportunity to touch on a educational subject that is very common, but not really known about in the general community. This is to raise awareness.
If you are a cat owner, you will want to take the time to read this post and check out the links attached at the end.
Feline Cystitis is a common condition in cats that causes inflammation of the bladder and painful urinations. There are a few different causes of this, but the most common of which is a condition called feline idiopathic cystitis or FIC.
Although more common and more dangerous in male cats, it is something female cats can also experience.
Some symptoms of the condition include:
-Frequent urinations with only small amounts at a time
-Straining to urinate accompanied by unpleasant vocalization
-Excessive licking of the ge****ls
-inappropriate urinations outside of the litter box
-Urine with blood present
This condition, if left untreated can result in an urgent emergency.
If your feline friend is straining to urinate with no result this may indicate that immediate medical attention is required to save your pets life. Male cats in particular run the highest risk of a urinary blockage from Crystals, stones, and sludge. If your cat is experiencing a blockage it is a life threatening emergency. You will want to take them to whichever emergency referral closest to you ( Metropolitan, Medvet, Etc.)as soon as possible.
What causes cystitis?
The most common trigger of the condition is stress. It is generally assumed that cats are a more low maintenance choice in pet. Unfortunately, it is the opposite. Cats can become stressed out over the smallest changes in their everyday routine. Something as big as a move to a different home, all the way down to rearranging your bedroom can cause stress cystitis. It is also more common in multi-cat homes.
Some ways to try and prevent it include:
-Keeping a regular daily schedule for your cat ( feeding time, enrichment time, etc.)
-Keeping your litter boxes clean and providing the proper amount depending on how many cats you have in your home. You should have 1 litter box per cat.
-Providing fun enrichment activities for your cat to keep their spirits up and their minds busy. Lots of toys, scratching boards, puzzle games and so on.
- Making sure your pet is drinking a good amount of water each day to stay hydrated. This will help flush their bladders.
- Medications and diet changes.
A link below will take you to a detailed article on the subject. If you have any questions, feel free to call the clinic, and speak to one of our lovely receptionists who are all educated on the condition and can try to lead you in the best direction for your cat.
Dr. Brittany Grenus discusses feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) in cats, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
