Effective Medications and Treatments for Feline Cystiti

Should your feline friend be frequently entering and exiting the litter box without any urine being produced, or if you notice signs of less urine, difficulty urinating, or blood in the urine, it's a strong indication that they might be suffering from the discomfort of cystitis. Cystitis is no trivial matter for cats; if left untreated, it can lead to urinary blockage, which in turn can cause kidney damage, hyperkalemia, and other complications. Today, let's delve into how we can use proper medication to help our cats recover swiftly!

What is Feline Cystitis?

Feline cystitis refers to the inflammation of the bladder mucosa and submucosa in cats. When the bladder wall is stimulated, it can lead to symptoms like frequent urination, urgency, and pain during urination, with the urine often containing a high number of bladder epithelial cells, pus cells, and red blood cells.

Common types of cystitis include bacterial cystitis and idiopathic cystitis. Bacterial cystitis is caused by infections from bacteria and other microorganisms, while idiopathic cystitis, also known as spontaneous cystitis, is a chronic, nonbacterial inflammatory condition with unclear causes, possibly related to stress, damage to the bladder mucosal barrier, or abnormal sympathetic nerve function.

Causes of Feline Cystitis

1. Bacterial Infection: More common in female cats, as they have shorter and wider urethras, making them more susceptible to bacterial infections.

2. Stress: Stress is a common cause of idiopathic cystitis, often seen in male cats. Stressors can include moving homes, overcrowding, insufficient resources, or being startled.

3. Insufficient Water Intake: Many cats are not fond of drinking water, leading to waste products not being metabolized in time, potentially forming crystals or stones. This can damage the bladder mucosa, cause urethral blockage, and lead to cystitis.

4. Infection from Nearby Organs: Infections such as vaginitis, uterine infection, or ureteral infection can affect the bladder and lead to bacterial cystitis.

Symptoms of Feline Cystitis

1. Frequent entry and exit from the litter box

2. Little urine output, incomplete urination, and smaller urine clumps

3. Unusual sounds during urination

4. Urine turns pink or contains blood

5. Cloudy urine with purulent discharge

6. Urinating indoors

7. Strong ammonia odor in urine

8. Frequent licking of the urinary opening

9. Enlarged bladder, sensitive or painful bladder area

10. In male cats, later stages may lead to urinary blockage, with symptoms like dribbling or no urine, an enlarged bladder, and prolonged retention can lead to kidney damage and hyperkalemia, causing jaundice, kidney failure, irregular heart rate, and even death.

What Medication is Best for Feline Cystitis?

If your cat has not yet experienced complete urinary blockage, you can try the following medications:

1. Cefalexin Tablets/Enrofloxacin

Effect: Antiinflammatory and antibacterial, alleviating pain and inflammation of the urethral mucosa

Dosage: Cefalexin 20mg/kg, once daily; Enrofloxacin 2.5mg/kg, twice daily

2. Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets

Effect: Diuretic, inhibiting the absorption of calcium oxalate, and alleviating urinary disorders

Dosage: 34mg/kg, once daily

3. Puramycin Health Urinary Tablets

Effect: Containing cranberry powder and vitamin B, it can protect urinary tract health, promote diuresis, and aid in the repair of bladder mucosa.

Dosage: Twice daily, one tablet per dose

4. Use pheromones, gabapentin, catnip, and other products to help soothe your cat's mood and eliminate factors that cause stress in the environment.

5. Apply a warm towel or a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel to your cat's bladder for heat therapy to relieve bladder spasms and pain, which is conducive to normal urination.

If there is no improvement after 12 days of medication, it is essential to seek veterinary care promptly! Additionally, for cats with complete urinary blockage, immediate veterinary care for catheterization and intravenous treatment is necessary to prevent acute kidney failure!