Feline Cystitis Treatment

Cystitis is a common condition affecting the bladder in cats.

Cystitis in felines is associated with inflammation of the bladder. It can be caused by various conditions, including urinary stones and bacterial infections. Treatment depends on the underlying causes as well as on the severity of the infection.

Diet

Owners can use home methods of treatment by changing the cat's diet. For example, cats affected by this condition should be fed moistened dry food, or should be switched to a diet of predominantly wet food, to increase their fluid intake.

Fluid Consumption

Likewise, cats need excessive amounts of water to flush out the infection. Owners should ensure the cat is getting water from multiple sources.

Medications

Though proper home care can heal many cystitis cases in as little as five days, antibiotics are often necessary in more persistent cases. Other medications prescribed for feline cystitis can include painkillers and amitriptyline, which is an antidepressant.

Urine Extraction

If a cat's urethra is completely blocked by urine stones, veterinarians often perform a procedure to extract the urine through a syringe. This is often done in emergency situations.

Catheterization

Catheterization is another process veterinarians often use in severe cases. Catheters are inserted into the urethra to flush out the urine crystals and to rehydrate the cat.

References

• vet.cornell.edu
• Cat World