It’s easy for cat owners to wonder if they have upset their feline friend when they discover urine-soaked bedding, but cats are not vindictive animals. One of the main causes of inappropriate urination is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Read on to learn about FIC signs, diagnosis, and treatment.
Feline idiopathic cystitis signs
FIC can develop without any obvious underlying cause, and more than one unidentified, underlying condition that leads to FIC is possible. Cats with FIC will show signs that indicate an issue with their lower urinary tract system, including:
- Painful or difficult urination
- Frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
- Overgrooming because of bladder pain
- Increased irritation or aggression
- Urinating outside the litter box or in unusual places
If you notice your cat struggling to urinate, contact us immediately. Male cats—and occasionally female cats—can develop a life-threatening urinary blockage.
Feline idiopathic cystitis diagnosis
Since no diagnostic test can confirm that your cat is suffering from FIC, the diagnosis is made by ruling out other potential urinary conditions. To do that, we will examine a urine sample for the presence of red, white, and abnormal blood cells, bacteria, or crystals, and take X-rays to rule out urinary tract stones and bladder masses. An ultrasound of the entire urinary tract may also be indicated. Blood work is necessary to check kidney function and to search for other potential causes of urinary issues.
Feline idiopathic cystitis treatment
With no definitive cause of FIC, treatment is challenging and focuses on encouraging frequent drinking and urination, reducing stress, and stimulating your pet mentally. Management measures include:
- Adding more litter boxes in various quiet places in your home
- Switching from dry to canned food to increase water intake
- Providing a drinking fountain instead of a water dish
- Investigating prescription urinary diets
- Offering more drinking stations throughout your home
- Reducing stress by:
- Diffusing the Feliway pheromone in areas where your cat spends most of her time
- Playing with your cat daily
- Allowing daily outdoor activity in an enclosed run to provide mental stimulation
- Creating elevated perches for napping and observing
- Offering scratching posts and climbing towers
- Avoiding household inter-cat conflict
Contact us to schedule an appointment so we can treat this potentially serious problem.