Feline Cystitis Medication

Treatment of feline cystitis will depend on the cause.

Feline cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. It can have a known cause, or it can be classified as idiopathic--of unknown cause. Your veterinarian will run laboratory tests to diagnose the cause of the problem and base his treatment protocol on that information and the severity of the symptoms.

Treatment for Cystitis With a Known Cause

Antibiotics are an important tool in the treatment of bacterial cystitis.

Cystitis may be caused by bacteria, crystals, stones, viruses or tumors. If your veterinarian finds bacteria, he'll prescribe an antibiotic for your cat. Common antibiotic choices for cystitis include cephalexin, clavamox or amoxicillin. Following surgery for stones or tumors, your cat may go home on post-surgical antibiotics and pain medication like buprenorphine or tramadol. If there are crystals, the pH of the urine may need to be adjusted up or down. Your veterinarian may prescribe a special diet, like Science Diet C/D, or medications like potassium citrate, to change the pH and help to prevent crystal formation.

Treatment for Idiopathic Cystitis

Homeopathic remedies are becoming more popular for cystitis treatment.

Idiopathic cystitis occurs with no known cause. According to PetPlace.com, this type of cystitis affects about 1 percent of the feline population. Treatment of idiopathic cystitis may include anti-inflammatories like Metacam and pain medication. Your veterinarian may or may not prescribe antibiotics as a precaution. There is growing trend towards homeopathic remedies like cantharis and cranberry juice in cases of idiopathic cystitis. Many cats with an acute case of idiopathic cystitis will get better in five to seven days, whether they receive treatment or not.

Treatment for Cats That Are Obstructed

Male cats with cystitis can become unable to urinate.

Male cats with cystitis can become obstructed.Treatment will include hospitalization and anesthesia so that a urinary catheter can be passed to relieve the obstruction. Once the obstruction is relieved and the bladder flushed to remove debris, a medication called Dimethyl sulphoxide, or DMSO, may be put into the bladder to relieve swelling. These cats will be put on intravenous fluids, antibiotics and pain medications. They may go home on a special diet.

Glycosaminoglycans

Cosequin for cats can be sprinkled on food.

One newer medication option used in cats with cystitis is glycosaminoglycans--glucosamine/chondroitin supplements like Cosequin for cats. These products may protect and repair the bladder lining in the face of irritation and inflammation.

Anti-Anxiety Medications for Cats with Cystitis

Reducing stress can help to prevent recurrent cystitis.

Stress can play a role in the occurrence of feline cystitis, so anything you can do to lower your cat's stress level may help. Valium--a muscle relaxant and anti-anxiety medication--and amitriptyline may be prescribed by your vet to reduce your cat's stress level, especially if he's had recurrent bouts of cystitis.

Water in Treating Cystitis

Water is one of the most important treatments in feline cystitis.

One of the most important treatments for feline cystitis is water. According to Dr. Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, the water content of a cat's normal prey would be around 70 percent. Dry food provides a cat with about 5 to 10 percent water. Canned food provides about 78 percent water. So either increasing the amount of canned food vs. dry food or increasing water intake in some other way is critical in maintaining your cat's urinary health and avoiding cystitis flare-ups.

References

• 1-800-Pet Meds: Urinary Tract and Kidneys
• Mar Vista Animal Medical Center: Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
• PetPlace.com: Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)
• Feline Urinary Tract Health: Cystitis, Urethral Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection
• Cat Training: What You Should Know About Feline Idiopathic Cystitis