Cystitis is an inflammatory process affecting the mucous membrane of the bladder in the cat. It occurs in acute or chronic form. Chronic cystitis most often affects older animals. It is distinguished from the acute form by the absence of such a sign as disorders of urination. Its main symptom is prolonged bleeding in the bladder.
Hemorrhagic cystitis is the third form of the disease. During the development of the pathological process, the cat’s blood vessels rupture, and bloody impurities appear in the urine. The disease is so insidious that it can cause quite dangerous consequences: intoxication, anemia, blockage of the ducts with blood clots. Idiopathic cystitis is another type of disease, the peculiarity of which is the absence of factors that provoke its development. Symptoms may be either pronounced or not manifested at all.
Very often cystitis in cats is accompanied by urethritis. In this case, the veterinarian makes a diagnosis of “urocystitis”. As for the causes of cystitis, in cats it does not occur by itself. There may be several factors for its development.
- In many cases, it is a complication of a variety of diseases of the genitourinary system or the defeat of its organs by parasites;
- Cystitis as a consequence of hypothermia can develop in the case when the animal is lying on the cold floor or on a window sill with an open window;
- Improper feeding. If the diet of the pet consists of a large amount of dry food and canned food, and the daily portion of drinking water is small, then such a diet may well develop the disease;
- Castration of the pet is another possible cause of cystitis. Because of such interference in the body, the genitourinary system functions differently.
Signs of cystitis in cats
The reason for going to the veterinarian should be the following changes in the animal’s health:
- loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, fever;
- apathy, stiffness in movements, frequent changes in the position of the hind legs;
- change of urine color to dark yellow, presence of blood or purulent impurities in it;
- frequent urination with small portions of urine, pain.
**How is cystitis treated in cats?
At the first symptoms of the disease the animal should be given rest and warm conditions. Drink plenty of water, it is allowed to add decoction of horsetail to water. It is useful to warm the cat’s abdomen with a warm heating pad.
After the initial examination, the specialist prescribes diuretics. In particularly advanced cases, the bladder is washed with solutions of potassium permanganate, furacilin, penicillin. If infectious complications are detected, the doctor prescribes furadonin, sulfazine, urosulfan. Antispasmodics and pain relievers are prescribed to eliminate spasms and pain during urination.
If cystitis is provoked by parasite activity, anthelmintic drugs are prescribed for cats. If the disease was detected as a complication of other pathologies occurring in the genitourinary tract, the first priority will be the treatment of diseases - cystitis provocateurs.