Feline Idiopathic Cystitis: Comprehensive Overview & Ma

1. Acute Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection (Bacterial Cystitis). It's quite rare for cats, especially young to middleaged ones, to develop a urinary tract infection as a cause of their lower urinary tract symptoms.

2. Bladder Stones. These can be a source of discomfort and pain for your feline friend.

3. Congenital Anatomical Abnormalities (birth defects in the urinary system), such as bladder exstrophy (urethral diverticula). These conditions can lead to a range of urinary issues.

4. Constipation. Difficulty urinating and defecating can be easily confused. Cats tend to assume a more upright posture when defecating compared to urinating. You can often tell whether your cat is trying to go to the bathroom or do its business by observing its posture.

5. Bladder Cancer. While relatively rare, bladder tumors can affect cats and should be taken seriously.

6. Neurological Abnormalities that Interfere with Normal Urinary Control Mechanisms. These issues can disrupt the normal process of urination in cats.

7. Inappropriate Urination Caused by Behavioral Disorders. Cats are territorial animals. When they feel their "space" is being invaded, they may urinate outside the litter box to mark their territory. It can sometimes be challenging to differentiate between inappropriate urination due to a behavioral issue and that caused by FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis).

DeepDive Diagnostics

Your veterinarian will conduct diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of FIC and rule out other diseases that could cause similar symptoms. Here are some of the recommended diagnostic tests:

1. Provide your veterinarian with a comprehensive history of your cat, followed by a thorough physical examination. The vet will typically palpate the abdomen to feel the bladder's condition.

2. Urinalysis is commonly used to diagnose FIC. A bladder puncture is performed to collect a sample, where a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall into the bladder to avoid contamination from the urethra or reproductive tract. However, due to the risk of blood entering the bladder during the puncture and the fact that the collected sample cannot assess urethral inflammation, some veterinarians may recommend analyzing the urine test results in conjunction with the original findings.

Urine concentration or dilution characteristics are evaluated through a test called "urine specific gravity." Its relative acidity or alkalinity is assessed by the pH value, and various chemical tests are conducted (such as protein, glucose, etc.). The urine sample can be examined under a microscope for red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, and bacteria.

Your veterinarian may suggest additional diagnostic tests to rule out or diagnose other conditions that could cause similar urinary symptoms and to better understand the impact of FIC on your pet. These tests can help determine the best course of medical care and can be chosen based on the specific situation:

1. Urine culture and sensitivity analysis can be used to assess bacterial urinary tract infections (bacterial cystitis), which are very rare in cats of young to middle age.

2. Serum biochemical tests may be recommended to evaluate your cat's overall health or assess metabolic effects of urinary obstruction in male cats.

3. Abdominal Xrays can be used to assess dense bladder stones, such as those composed of struvite or calcium oxalate.

4. For less dense stones, tumors, or anatomical abnormalities like bladder exstrophy (urethral diverticula), a special Xray contrast dye study is recommended. If the dye outlines the internal structure of the bladder and urethra, the result is called a "positive" contrast result. Generally, a positive result on Xray appears "white," while a "negative" result appears "black." Additionally, studies using both contrast dye and air are known as "doublecontrast" studies.

5. For less dense stones or tumors that cannot be identified on Xrays, abdominal ultrasound is recommended.

6. Cystoscopy is a technique performed under general anesthesia, where a rigid or flexible scope is inserted into the urethra and bladder to directly observe the inner walls. This procedure can directly show characteristic bladder bleeding associated with FIC and can obtain bladder biopsy samples. If necessary, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary specialist for this diagnostic method.