Cystitis in cats

Causes of cystitis in cats

Why do cats develop cystitis? The main reasons are the following:

• penetration of bacteria into the bladder cavity (may be a consequence of existing infectious pathology, weakened immunity);
• lack of fluid in the body;
• diabetes;
• helminthiasis;
• injury to the urinary tract, internal organs (for example, due to a fall);
• weakening of the immune system;
• hypothermia;
• stones in the bladder.

Cystitis in cats develops even due to stress. This may be a move, separation from the owner, the appearance of a new tenant in the house (adult, child, animal) and so on.

Are there any risk groups

Any mustachioed pet can get sick with cystitis, but it is possible to distinguish cats and cats that make up the risk group. First of all, weakened animals are susceptible to cystitis: survivors of the disease, newborns, the elderly. Since their immune system is reduced, any infection or cold living conditions can provoke an inflammatory process.

Experts also note that cats are more susceptible to cystitis than cats. And if we compare sterilized (castrated) animals with those who have not undergone surgery, then the former get sick more often. This may be due to both a weakening of immunity and an infection introduced during the operation.

Types of cystitis in cats

There are the following types of cystitis in cats:

• hemorrhagic – occurs in an acute form, blood is present in the discharge of the pet;
• serous-catarrhal – characterized by the presence of mucus and mucus in the secretions;
• purulent – the presence of pus in the urine is characteristic;
• idiopathic – is difficult to study, since it does not depend on any factors, it occurs in rare cases.

Depending on the nature of the course of the disease, acute and chronic cystitis are isolated. The first in most cases flows into the second, even with a complete cure. The chronic form requires special attention to the pet, since the slightest mistake, for example, a slight change in diet or a draft in the summer period of the year, can provoke an exacerbation.

Symptoms of cystitis

The main sign of cystitis in cats is pain. Due to severe pain, the behavior of the mustachioed pet changes:

• the cat can go to the toilet anywhere in the house, even if it is accustomed to the tray;
• due to the pain syndrome during urination, the animal makes the appropriate plaintive sounds;
• after the cat goes to the toilet, her gait changes – she bends her back a little and seems to "drag" her legs;
• the pet's urge to urinate becomes more frequent;
• the cat may not move for a long time;
• the animal often licks the crotch.

Because of the soreness of the stomach, the cat does not allow you to touch it, breaks out and meows. Gradually, other symptoms are added: body temperature rises, bloody or purulent discharge appears from the genitals, the animal refuses to take food, in some cases it has a gag reflex.

Diagnosis of cystitis

Before treating cystitis in cats, it is necessary to conduct a diagnostic examination. Urine for analysis can be collected at home, and then brought to the clinic with your pet. To make a diagnosis, a veterinary specialist may prescribe an ultrasound or X-ray. With the help of cystoscopy, a specialist will examine the mucous membrane of the bladder and urinary tract. Scraping from the urethra and subsequent bacteriological analysis will help to determine the pathogen. In each case, it is necessary to pass general urine and blood tests.

How to treat cystitis in a cat

Treatment of cystitis in cats is complex and includes taking drugs of different groups.

In addition to injections and medications for internal administration, treatment of cystitis requires washing the bladder with special solutions. Furacilin, boric acid, saline, and cotervine are most often used for this purpose. Washing is carried out only in a clinic by catheterization. The dosage, frequency of procedures, duration of the course is determined by the veterinarian, based on the condition of the animal.

Application of Stop cystitis

Among other herbal preparations intended for the treatment of cystitis in cats, Stop-cystitis and its modification Stop-cystitis Bio are the most popular among owners and veterinarians.

The medicine is not in vain considered the best: it effectively eliminates the inflammatory process, has a diuretic and antimicrobial effect, relieves spasms and eliminates pain syndrome in many pathologies of the urinary system of cats, as well as cystitis. The first option is presented in tablet form and in the form of a suspension, the second – only suspensions. The average cost of drugs is 200 rubles, while Bio costs 20-30 rubles more.

• Stop cystitis. It contains components of plant origin, is used as a therapeutic agent. It has a complex effect on the organs of the urinary system of the animal. Usually, a single dosage of the drug is 2-3 ml of suspension or 1-2 tablets. In the treatment of the disease, it is taken twice a day, and for preventive purposes – once. The duration of the course is 5-7 days. It can be given to newborn kittens and cats waiting for replenishment.
• Stop-cystitis Bio. It refers more to supplements of preventive and curative action, as an addition to basic medicines. It helps to improve the functioning of the kidneys and bladder, facilitates their condition during the recovery period, prevents the formation of sand and stones, stops inflammation at the initial stage. Despite the fact that it is a dietary supplement, it can only be used according to the indications of a veterinarian. The dose, frequency of administration and duration are the same as in the previous version, unless otherwise established by a specialist.

Although Stop cystitis is of natural origin, according to the instructions, it has contraindications to reception: heart and vascular diseases, kidney failure. Stop-cystitis Bio can be given to all cats without exception. Both drugs practically do not cause adverse reactions, but sometimes individual intolerance to animals of any ingredients is possible.

Is it possible to use folk remedies

In the treatment of cystitis in representatives of the feline family, it is permissible to use traditional medicine methods as additional and only with the permission of a veterinarian. Firstly, this is due to the fact that it will not be possible to cure the disease completely with folk recipes alone (at best, it will turn into a chronic form). Secondly, not all drugs suitable for the treatment of people are suitable for cats. In addition, some herbal preparations can not only neutralize the effect of drugs, but also react with them, leading to serious side effects.

As a rule, diuretic and anti-inflammatory herbs and fees are used for cystitis. The most popular are linden, dandelion, calendula, birch, bearberry. The prepared infusion is given to the pet in small quantities (according to age) several times a day.

Sometimes it is advised to put warming compresses on the cat or put a heating pad on the litter. However, such measures can lead to the opposite result: cause exacerbation or complications, deterioration of the animal's condition.

Features of cat care for cystitis

Treatment of cystitis in cats is usually carried out at home, which imposes certain obligations on the owner and requires increased vigilance. The main thing is that the pet is isolated from drafts (even in the warm season), and also does not experience stress.

The cat needs to be provided with a warm place to rest and sleep, it should not be wet or wet in any case. You should not take any measures to warm up the bedding, it is enough to lay a warm blanket.

Special attention should be paid to the nutrition of the fluffy patient. If the animal is used to eating industrial food, then it is necessary to choose the most suitable one. Which one – the doctor will tell you, since the therapeutic formulations differ from each other, and at different stages of the disease you will need to buy a certain composition. Cheap mixtures should be immediately excluded. For cystitis, it is recommended to purchase:

• Hill's c/d Feline Urinary Stress;
• Royal Canin Urinary S/O Feline High Delution;
• Royal Canin Urinary S/O Feline Pouches.

With natural feeding of a cat, it will need to be "planted" on a special therapeutic diet with a reduced amount of protein products and salt. With cystitis, any fish and all dishes based on it are completely excluded from the pet's diet.

It is allowed to feed the animal with boiled meat products, sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir no more than twice a week. The main menu should be cereal porridge (millet, buckwheat, oatmeal), vegetables, broths.

Preventive measures

Some preventive measures will reduce the likelihood of cystitis in a cat to a minimum. Among them, special attention should be paid to the following recommendations:

• the animal should eat fully and correctly, in accordance with age and physiological characteristics;
• the cat must always have a bowl of clean water;
• it is impossible to allow the pet to eat only dry food, the diet should be varied;
• the resting place of a mustachioed pet should not be located in a draft, near an air conditioner or fan;
• do not feed the cat "from the table", completely exclude smoked, fatty, fried and spicy food, as well as sweet foods;
• exclude stressful situations – do not punish physically and do not put pressure on the psyche;
• if there have already been cases of inflammation of the bladder or other diseases of the urinary system in the cat's life, it is important to carefully monitor its condition, preventing the development of exacerbations and always having medications at hand.

It is possible to achieve recovery only if the prescriptions of a specialist are fulfilled. At the same time, it should be remembered that cystitis in cats can return at any time, so the owner is required to love and take care of his pet, helping him in a timely manner.