The seasonal change period is the peak period for spontaneous cystitis in cats. If your cat is nervous, timid, obese, and lives in a multi-cat household, then when the cat has symptoms such as frequent urination, dribbling urination, painful urination, hematuria, and frantically licking its genitals, it is very likely that it has spontaneous cystitis!

Among the top ten most common diseases of cats counted by the DVM360 website in the United States, urinary system diseases top the list. According to incomplete statistics, among cats that visit pet hospitals, up to 10% have symptoms of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).

There are many causes of spontaneous cystitis in cats, which is the result of a complex interaction between multiple factors including the bladder, nervous system and other external factors.

A large number of surveys have shown that about 50% of cystitis in cats aged 1-10 years is spontaneous cystitis, and cats aged 2-7 years have a higher risk of spontaneous cystitis compared to cats under 1 year old. Therefore, spontaneous cystitis is more common in middle-aged cats, and male purebred cats and long-haired cats are more likely to suffer from spontaneous cystitis.

Almost all studies have shown that cats with spontaneous cystitis are more likely to feel fear, anxiety and stress. Environmental changes, obesity, lack of exercise, dry food, less water, living with other cats or animals, conflicts with other cats, seasonal changes and other factors are significantly associated with the occurrence of spontaneous cystitis.

Understanding the risk factors for feline idiopathic cystitis can help veterinarians and pet owners better prepare for prevention and treatment.

The clinical symptoms of spontaneous cystitis in cats usually include frequent urination, painful urination, dribbling urination, difficulty urinating, hematuria, and random urination. Due to the special structure of the urethra of male cats, a large number of bladder epithelial cells shed to form urethral emboli, which may cause urethral obstruction. In severe cases, it may lead to urinary retention. If it lasts for more than two days, the cat may die of acute uremia. The disease is particularly serious in male cats.

There are no characteristic clinical symptoms of spontaneous cystitis in cats. Generally, when a cat shows urinary tract symptoms such as a sudden decrease in urine output, frequent urination, dribbling urination, dysuria, urinary retention and hematuria, it is necessary to use the elimination method to conduct a series of examinations on the cat to rule out possible causes.

1. Consultation

After the cat comes to the hospital, the first thing to do is to communicate with the owner and try to understand the sick cat's condition in detail.

The content of the medical interview includes whether the cat has abnormal behaviors such as frequent urination, painful urination, hematuria or random urination, and whether it has a history of urinary system diseases. At the same time, it is also necessary to understand whether the cat has recently moved, etc., which may cause anxiety and stress to the cat, how much water the cat drinks, whether the food is dry food or wet food, whether it is a multi-cat household, and whether there is enough space for activities.

2. General examination

Abdominal palpation, temperature measurement, heart rate measurement and other basic examinations.

3. Laboratory examination

Urinalysis evaluates the chemical composition, physical properties, urine sediment composition, occult blood reaction, and whether it contains bacteria, etc., and checks kidney function, urinary tract infection and inflammation, urinary stones, etc.Blood tests evaluate whether the cat has systemic abnormalities such as hyperazotemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, etc. Most cases of FIC without urethral obstruction show normal test results, while if obstruction occurs, post-renal azotemia, metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia will be shown.

4. Imaging examination

It mainly includes two examination methods: B-ultrasound and X-ray, which evaluate the smoothness of the bladder wall, the presence of tumors, the degree of bladder fullness, the presence of crystals or stones, etc., and check for stones, polyps, tumors, prostate diseases, etc. When there is a suspicion of polyps or tumors in the urinary tract that are difficult to determine with imaging examinations, cystoscopy can be combined to observe the inner wall of the urethra and bladder. In cats with recurrent or persistent clinical signs, endoscopy can be helpful in evaluating the status of the urethral and bladder mucosal surfaces.

After the above examinations and exclusion of other common urinary tract diseases, spontaneous cystitis can be diagnosed.

The principles of treatment for spontaneous cystitis in cats are symptomatic treatment + reducing stress + increasing water intake.

1. Symptomatic treatment

Cats with FIC have less glycosaminoglycan in their bladders, a thinner glycosaminoglycan layer, and increased urine permeability. Substances in the urine can irritate the bladder, causing inflammation and pain. Therefore, during treatment, it is important to protect the bladder mucosa while providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatments.

2. Reduce stress

As mentioned above, emotional problems are a major cause of spontaneous cystitis in cats. Therefore, in addition to conventional symptomatic treatment, stress reduction is also required in the treatment of spontaneous cystitis in cats. Improving the living environment of cats, special nutritional supplements, pheromone therapy, and drug intervention are all commonly used methods to improve mood.

3. Increase your water intake

If a cat has concentrated urine and difficulty urinating for a long time, it will increase the burden on the kidneys, so it is necessary to increase the amount of water it drinks to dilute the urine and increase the amount of urine to improve the condition. You can increase the amount of water your cat drinks by changing the diet to food with a higher water content, changing the water bowl, adding cat grass tea bags to the water,adjusting the water temperature,etc.

In the treatment of FIC, soothing emotions, repairing the bladder wall, and anti-inflammatory and analgesic are the top priorities.

WeCysto has a high content of ingredients and a more significant effect. It is suitable for improving spontaneous cystitis and is also suitable for the combined auxiliary control of bladder stones, bladder tumors and other problems.

Thanks to Chengdu Ai Ling Animal Hospital for providing the case

Pet information: Male golden shaded cat - 10 months old

Symptoms: Urinary retention

Treatment plan: Combined use of WeCysto, Ucolon, Tonglixiao, and antibiotics for treatment, 2 tablets of WeCysto per day for 5 consecutive days

Effect evaluation:

The cat's mental state recovered, it was able to urinate independently, and the urine color returned to normal.

Brand Introduction

Founded in 2016, Flyer is a leading pet nutrition brand in China, dedicated to the research and development and production of functional health products for pets. We adhere to the concept of "high quality and caring", continue to innovate, and tailor each product for pets.

Flyer products cover multiple health areas including urinary system, kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract, eye, skin, joint, nerve, etc. The products are sold all over the country and are trusted by major pet hospitals.

Flyer has a global vision and has introduced advanced formulas, technologies, and high-quality pharmaceutical and food-grade raw materials from home and abroad. From research and development to market launch, we ensure the quality of each product. Not only that, we also design professional nutritional supplement plans for different parts of pets based on their own nutritional needs to ensure the healthy and happy growth of pets.

MORE LIFE IN YOUR PETS • MORE PETS IN YOUR LIFE