Cystitis in Cats - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 20 February 2021
Update Date: 21 November 2024
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Cat Cystitis: treatment, symptoms + home prevention
Video: Cat Cystitis: treatment, symptoms + home prevention

Content

Cats, like us, can suffer from illnesses that affect their urinary tract. THE cystitis It is one of the most common problems suffered by cats and can cause great discomfort if not treated properly.

It is a common but potentially dangerous disease, so every owner should know the feline cystitis symptoms to act as quickly as possible and avoid major problems. Sometimes a poorly cured cystitis can become chronic and cause your cat to relapse occasionally.In addition, this condition creates a lot of stress for the animal.

In this article by Animal Expert you will learn more about cystitis in cats, causes, symptoms and treatments to act quickly and prevent the clinical picture from getting worse.


What is Cystitis?

Cystitis is a disease that causes bladder inflammationtherefore it is very similar to human cystitis. It can be caused by different factors, but the consequences are the same. It causes problems when urinating, pain and can make the cat who is sick, very nervous. He goes to the litter box over and over again, however, he can barely urinate. Therefore, it is important to go to the vet as soon as we notice the first symptoms.

THE feline cystitis it is a common disease that, with proper care, can be overcome. However, if complications arise, it can cause serious problems. If an obstruction of the urethra occurs, for example, and is not treated, it will cause the animal's death.

Causes of Feline Cystitis

Feline cystitis can be caused by several factors, among them the main ones are:


  • Bacterial, viral or parasitic infection: the veterinarian will determine, by examining the urine, the source of the infection. Bacterial infections are the most common and are treated with antibiotics.
  • Bladder Cancer: bladder cancer or other tumors can cause urinary problems that lead to cystitis. Other symptoms will also be present.
  • Obesity: obesity alone is not a cause, however, it can predispose your cat to urinary tract infections. In our article "Preventing obesity in cats" you can learn more about obesity in cats and find out how to keep your cat at the ideal weight.
  • Feline idiopathic cystitis: it is very difficult to diagnose this disease. Possibly it has a neurological origin. In general, when a cat has urinary problems and does not come from a normal infectious process, it is feline idiopathic cystitis. Prior to diagnosis, your veterinarian will rule out other causes. Symptoms are not caused by a bacterium or a pathogen. This type of cystitis is mainly caused by the stress. For this reason, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It is important to monitor the animal's environment, avoid stress and control that water consumption is sufficient.

Cystitis symptoms in cats

In principle it can be difficult to determine the cystitis symptoms in cats. However, as the disease progresses, your cat will show the signs more clearly. That's why it's important to watch the cat as soon as it behaves suspiciously. The sooner you act, the better.


You cystitis symptoms in cats most common are the following:

  • Pain when urinating: Meows or shows signs of pain when trying to urinate.
  • He or she licks the genital area more than usual.
  • Polachiuria: urine often, even in small amounts, or even just a few drops.
  • Dysuria: urine with effort.
  • Urine out of the litter box.

If you notice that your cat does not urinate, it could mean a urethral obstruction. This is produced by the formation of crystals in the urethra and usually occurs more often in males. When this happens, even though your cat tries and struggles, it can't urinate at all. In these cases, you must go immediately to your veterinarian.

How to Treat Cystitis in Cats

As soon as you take your cat to the vet, he will perform a blood and urine test to determine the source and will tell you exactly. how to treat cystitis in cats.

If it is a bacterial or viral infection, it will be treated with a remedy for cystitis in cats, which in most cases is an antibiotic. Respect the duration of treatment recommended by the veterinarian and do not medicate your cat yourself. It is very important not to leave the treatment unfinished, even if the cat is already well. If the infection does not fully heal, relapses can occur.

During this period, you should take care of your furry friend's diet and keep him hydrated until he recovers.

Cystitis in cats: prevention

THE hygiene it is essential to avoid infectious problems such as feline cystitis. The litter box should be as clean as possible and you need to check each time you change the granules that deposits and urination are correct. On the other hand, the place where the litter box is located must be ventilated, accessible, with low humidity and away from other animals.

Cats with cystitis can have problems with litter boxes. The ideal is a wide and preferably open tray. Closed boxes with doors are generally more difficult to clean and some cats don't like to close in to urinate. You know your cat better than anyone else, so choose the litter box that suits him best and keep it as clean as possible.

THE hydration it is equally important to avoid urinary problems. Animals should always have fresh, clean water available. Leaving a cat without access to water for long periods can damage its kidneys.

If your cat is out and about for hours, put a container of water outside. Although cats look for alternatives to hydrate themselves, it is better to drink the clean water we put in.

If you want to know more about other illnesses that can affect your cat, read our article: Most common cat illnesses.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.