In my last post, I talked about urinary infections in cats. But, if in case the veterinarians did not find any underlying cause for the urinary infection then we talk about Feline Idiopathic Cystitis or FIC.
What it is?
It is the inflammation of the bladder without any cause identified. According to VCA Animal Hospitals: "Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the exclusionary diagnosis made once all of the common or known causes of the clinical signs have been eliminated."
What are the possible causes?
In the clinic, we had many cats that after the veterinarian ruled out all the tests and no origin is found, an FIC diagnosis is declared and stress seems to be the main factor. Cats are very prone to be easily stressed by anything, change of food, change of environment, change of routine a new member of the family, or new cats.
What are the symptoms?
Difficulty of urinating or painful urination (Dysuria).
Increased frequency of urination (pollakiuria)
Blood in urine - hematuria
Urinating outside the litter box
Overgrooming
Blockage of the urethra (Stranguria), which is considered an emergency.
What is the treatment?
In this case, the most important changes would be the nutrition and the environment. In regards to the food, it should be for therapeutic urinary care, I would suggest :
Prescription Hills C/D Feline stress.
Feline Urinary SO of Royal Canin
UR Urinary Feline Formula
Increase the intake of water
For the environment:
If you have a multi-cat household, please be conscious that each cat needs her food station ) food, and water.
Dishes need to be clean, cats are very picky.
Litter box: also scope each day, and clean once a week.
Have one litter more extra than the number of cats you have
Put the litter box in a not very transited area.
Cats love to climb and be in high places, you can buy a cat tree or make your own.
Cats need to play, so give time to your kitty, buy a few toys or places to scratch, or do activities where the cat uses predator behavior, your cat will feel happy and feel less stressed.
Sources:
International Cat Care. (2020, 27 agosto). Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). Recuperado 13 de noviembre de 2021, de https://icatcare.org/advice/feline-idiopathic-cystitis-fic/
Hunter, T., Weir, M., & Ward, E. (s. f.). Feline Idiopathic Cystitis. Vca_canada_corporate. Recuperado 13 de noviembre de 2021, de https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/feline-idiopathic-cystitis