Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
A cat showing some of the following symptoms will be diagnosed with lower urinary tract disease, regardless of cause:
Bloody urine
Straining to urinate
Inappropriate urination
Urinary blockage
exclusively a male cat issue and is an emergency
Licking the urinary opening
‘Idiopathic’ means there isn’t an obvious cause. ‘Cystitis’ is inflammation of the bladder, which is part of the lower urinary tract. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) is a common condition and a number of things can cause these symptoms. We need to rule out medical causes before determining the issue is truly idiopathic.
Urinary tract infections caused by bacteria are not common in cats (less than 5% of cases). Cats typically have very concentrated urine which makes it difficult for bacteria to grow in that environment. Running a urinalysis and/or a urine culture will screen for bacteria.
Bladder stones can cause similar symptoms and an abdominal x-ray can be taken to screen for stones. If these tests come back clean, we diagnose it as idiopathic which research shows to be an inability to handle stress. This is most common in juvenile cats and sometimes they grow out of the issue as they get older.
FIC Mechanism
When cats experience anxiety, the lining of their bladder wall has certain proteins that break down and cause inflammation which can encourage microscopic crystals to form. These crystals irritate the urinary tract and can potentially accumulate and block the urethra in male cats. Anxiety can be triggered by seemingly inconsequential occurrences like seeing another pet outside the window to lack of access to a clean litter box. The cats who suffer from these episodes have a unique imbalance in their nervous system on how to handle stress. Our course of action is to keep the pet comfortable throughout the episode, and try to decrease the amount of episodes in the future.
For treatment, we use a combination of pain medications and antispasmodics to relieve discomfort. Fluid therapy can also help flush out the bladder. For recurrent issues or when we do see a lot of crystals on a urine sample, a prescription diet to help dissolve these crystals can help (we carry Royal Canin SO).
If your male cat is going through an active episode, it is crucial to make sure he is able to urinate. If you are unsure he should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. If a cat is truly obstructed it can be life threatening as the urinary toxins build up in the system. Watch closely for signs of straining or vocalization while urinating as well as the symptoms noted above.
Prevention
To prevent future episodes, research has shown that environmental enrichment to be the most effective course of action to reduce anxiety and resulting episodes. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has published a set of guidelines. The big takeaways are as follows:
Cats should have places for ‘me time’ whether it is a secluded area or places to perch and get away.
Scratching posts and toys should be available.
There should be one litter box for each cat in the household, plus one extra
Example: 2 cats should have 3 litter boxes
If the home has multiple floors, ideally there should be a box on every floor.
Boxes should be washed out weekly, and scooped clean daily.
They should be private in secluded, low traffic areas.
Food bowls should be kept separate from litter box areas and cleaned regularly as well. Food should be kept consistent.
Increasing water content helps whether in canned food (most effective) or with a running water fountain as many cats don’t drink adequately from a bowl.
For further information, we recommend the Indoor Pet Initiative through the Ohio State University: https://indoorpet.osu.edu
Contact
Please contact us if your pet is going through an active episode. If we are closed, please contact MedVet Chicago for immediate assistance. If you suspect your male cat is blocked, don’t hesitate to go directly to MedVet if we’re closed. They will perform a noninvasive bladder check when you come in if you let them know you think your cat is blocked upon triage as it is considered a life threatening condition.
