Spontaneous cystitis is a torture for cats

Diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous cystitis in cats! In the past, we always thought that cats had hematuria, frequent urination and urination. When it is difficult, it means stone obstruction. In fact, recent studies have found that about 50 to 60% of cases are spontaneous cystitis. Spontaneous cystitis in cats is a torture for both cats and owners. Because cats will suffer from various painful symptoms such as frequent urination, painful urination, hematuria, and difficulty urinating. The cause of spontaneous cystitis was not clear in previous pathological studies. Now, with the development of medicine, there is a new understanding of spontaneous cystitis in cats.

1. The cause of spontaneous cystitis in cats

It is currently believed that the cause of FIC may be related to the cat’s living environment and emergency stress, which in turn affects the nervous system and endocrine system. The role of the sympathetic nervous system is to release endocrine hormones such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, while the adrenal glands (one of the organs of the endocrine system) release cortisol and other steroid hormones. Identifying FIC by an overexcited sympathetic nervous system or a blunted endocrine response does not appear to affect healthy cats. Any treatment planned to reduce the output of the sympathetic nervous system will be very helpful in reducing the clinical symptoms of FIC. important. To put it simply, when external stimulation is transmitted to the brain, it will cause a specific physiological response.

Some studies have also pointed out that other possible factors causing FIC include calicivirus infection, bovine herpes virus type IV infection (BHV-4), immune problems, food types (especially dry foods with high mineral content) food), genetic factors or changes in the bladder epithelial cell wall, etc. There is no breed or gender difference in the incidence of FIC. It occurs in both male and female cats. Some scholars have pointed out that obese cats and Persian cats are more likely to develop FIC. Cats after sterilization surgery seem to have a higher risk of FIC. About 50% of cystitis cases in cats aged 1 to 10 years are FIC, while only about 5% of cases in cats over 10 years old are FIC, so FIC is more common in young or prime-age cats.

2. Symptoms of spontaneous cystitis in cats

Peeing anywhere is one of the most common symptoms. According to foreign research statistics, about 1% of cats may suffer from feline spontaneous cystitis, and most of the cats suffering from spontaneous cystitis are between 1 and 10 years old. Spontaneous cystitis can occur in cats of any breed and gender, and cats that have been neutered appear to have a higher incidence. Cats suffering from spontaneous cystitis usually have hematuria, frequent urination, and difficulty urinating. They will exert special force when urinating. Some cats will scream because of pain during urination. Due to frequent urination, the hair around the genitals will be dirty, so the cat will have Frequent licking of hair near the genitals.

In addition to the above symptoms, the most common symptom is peeing everywhere.It was once thought that cats peeing everywhere was just an abnormal behavior, but recent studies have found that most of them are related to spontaneous cystitis. Because these symptoms are very similar to those of urinary tract stones and urinary tract infections, it is often difficult to distinguish them based on clinical symptoms alone.

Most cats with spontaneous cystitis will still have normal spirits and appetite if there is no urethral obstruction. Only when urethral obstruction occurs will more serious symptoms, such as lethargy, Loss of appetite, vomiting, and inactivity. This kind of obstruction is usually more likely to occur in male cats. This is mainly because the urethra of female cats is shorter and wider, making it less prone to obstruction.

3. Diagnosis

1. Physical examination

Cats will urinate frequently due to bladder pain, and the amount of urine every time will increase. It's just a little bit, so when you go to the hospital for examination, you will usually find a small or anuria-filled bladder. If urethral obstruction occurs, abdominal palpation will cause pain. The abdomen will be tight and hard, and you will feel that it is swollen and enlarged. A firm bladder may appear weak and dehydrated.

2. Urinalysis

Improper urine samples will affect the test results. It is recommended to use fresh urine samples obtained by bladder puncture or catheterization and conduct tests immediately. Spontaneous Cystitis may be complicated by urolithiasis. Therefore, if a large number of crystals are detected in the urine residue, urolithiasis should be diagnosed first and appropriate treatment and prescription feed should be given. If symptoms still persist, spontaneous complications must be considered. Possibility of cystitis. If hematuria or proteinuria appears in the urine sample of a cat that urinates indiscriminately, the possibility of spontaneous cystitis must be considered.

3. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry

Most cases without urethral obstruction will show normal test results. If obstruction occurs, post-renal azotemia and metabolic acidosis will appear. Poisoning, and hyperkalemia.

4. B-ultrasound examination

The B-ultrasound examination of some cats with FIC shows swollen bladder walls, and this can be used to rule out bladder stones, tumors, prostate diseases, etc.

5. X-ray examination

Exclude urethral stones and bladder stones. Special contrast X-ray examination: Structural abnormalities of the bladder may be seen, such as urinary diverticula of the bladder.

6. Cystoscopy

Examination of the inner wall of the urethra and bladder requires anesthesia to observe whether there are small stones, polyps, and tumors, which may be difficult to evaluate with other imaging modalities. of.

4. Treatment

The current goal of FIC treatment is to reduce the severity of symptoms and increase the symptom-free time. The treatment of FIC mainly cooperates with the following two aspects:

1. Behavioral treatment

As mentioned above, the cause of FIC may be mainly related to environmental stress, so the most effective treatment is The direct way is to reduce environmental pressure.

You can learn about the cat litter box from Auchan.It can be placed in a quiet and willing place. The number of cat litter boxes is one more than the number of cats. Place litter boxes in different places. Clean the cat litter twice a day and replace it with new litter every week. The litter box must be The cat litter should be large enough and deep enough, and use unscented cat litter.

2. Drug treatment

The analgesic tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline (amitriptyline): helps relieve pain and anxiety, and also has anti-inflammatory and repairing effects on the inner wall of the bladder. , the dose is 2.5~12.5mg per day, taken orally, given at night, and long-term treatment is adjusted according to the environment.

N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine: This product is the precursor substance of glycosaminoglycan (GAG). It has the ability to strengthen the GAG ​​layer of the inner wall of the bladder and reduce Toxic substances affect the bladder and protect the bladder mucosa. The dose for initial cases is 125 mg, taken orally, twice a day, for at least two weeks. For recurrent cases, the dose is 125 mg/kg, taken orally, once a day, for long-term administration.