Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and Feline Idiopathic Cystitis

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and Feline Idiopathic Cystitis

What is the number one reason cats go to the vet? The answer may surprise you- it is not due to GI issues or eating something they shouldn’t, but actually due to inappropriate urination. Many clients end up at 4Paws asking our veterinarians why their cats are not using the litterbox properly. There can be several reasons why, and one very common reason is feline lower urinary tract disease, a disorder that affects a cat’s urinary tract and urinary bladder, causing discomfort and an urge to urinate in places considered “inappropriate” due to inflammation in the urinary bladder. This can lead to severe disease if left untreated, and therefore any changes to your cat’s urinary behaviors should be investigated immediately.

Who is Affected: There are factors amongst cats that can predispose them to developing this disorder, especially if middle-aged and overweight. Changes to the environment and/or stressors they come in contact with can set off this syndrome of urinary bladder inflammation and inappropriate urination, including a change in routine, moving to a new home, or becoming a multi-cat household. Since these changes can be difficult to pinpoint, the specific cause for this syndrome that may spark an episode can be difficult to determine; however, once a cat develops this syndrome, they can be predisposed to developing it in the future and can have multiple episodes over their lifetime. One thing that can be said is that stress is a major factor in disease development and subsequent bladder inflammation.

Clinical Signs:  The first thing most pet owners will notice is urinating outside of the litterbox. Other signs and symptoms can include straining and/or vocalizing when urinating, urinating smaller amounts more often, and seeming to excessively groom themselves near their urethra. As bladder inflammation continues to increase, it can cause a mucus plug to form and block the urethra, resulting in an inability to urinate- this is especially a cause for concern in male cats and is considered a medical emergency that requires treatment right away. If seen, please contact our veterinarians at 4Paws for evaluation immediately as continued inability to urinate can lead to severe sickness and potential fatality.

How We Will Help: This can be a very scary thing for pet owners to witness, but our veterinarians at 4Paws can help right away. We will start with a physical exam to see if your cat’s urinary bladder is inflamed. Then we will check your pet’s blood and urine for signs of infection and inflammation, changes to their kidney values, and to see if crystals have formed in their urine. We will also make sure no urinary bladder stones are seen on xray that could be contributing to their pain. If a urinary blockage is present, we will place a urinary catheter that will stay indwelling for the next 2-3 days while the inflammation is treated so that he will be able to urinate. We will also treat any infection noted, provide medications for the inflammation present, and discuss switching to a prescription diet that will help with any crystals that have formed in the urine as well as have components for stress relief.

What You Can Do At Home: As mentioned, stress and chronic anxiety play a major role in this syndrome's development. Therefore, at-home stress mitigation is essential both for prevention of its’ development and for continued care once diagnosed. A very easy way to help is with the use of Feliway diffusers- these are wall plug-ins that disperse calming pheromones throughout the room it is placed in to help cats feel less anxious at home and are especially useful during times or change or multi-cat households. It is also important to have an adequate number of litterboxes available; the general rule is the number of cats plus one, placed in low-traffic areas of the house. Your cats’ food and water should also be in lower traffic areas but placed away from litterboxes. Enrichment opportunities, like a cat tree/scratch post and/or boxes to hide in are also great for mitigating stress and anxiety.  

To conclude, feline lower urinary tract disease and feline idiopathic cystitis can lead to a myriad of health concerns, with inappropriate urination being the most noticeable. It can become scary for both you and your kitty, but the veterinarians at 4Paws are here to help. If you have concerns for your cat’s urinary health, please contact our office