How long do cats with FLUTD live?
The average age of a cat with FLUTD is 4 years. Of all cats with FLUTD: 50% will not have a cause that can be identified despite extensive testing. 20% will have bladder stones.
What can I do for my cat with FLUTD?
Antibiotics may be given to prevent or treat infection, and drugs that help restore bladder function are sometimes recommended. For cats who continue to experience urethral obstruction despite medical treatment, there is a surgical procedure called a perineal urethrostomy.
Can a cat be diagnosed with Feline Idiopathic Cystitis?
Feline idiopathic cystitis includes a set of clinical signs associated with abnormal urination and is an exclusionary diagnosis. Cats will often suffer waxing and waning of clinical signs such as straining to urinate, blood in urine, and inappropriate urination. Many conditions must be ruled out before a diagnosis of FIC can be made.
Is there a cure for stress cystitis in cats?
Although we aren’t sure exactly what causes FIC, it’s believed that stress and obesity have big roles to play. There is no cure for FIC but there are lots of treatments that can help improve symptoms and reduce the chance of it returning. It’s very important to contact your vet if you notice your cat having problems peeing.
Why do cats with FIC have worse symptoms?
Cats with FIC tend to have worse symptoms when they are stressed. We think this is because they suffer with an exaggerated response to stress, which causes inflammation inside their bladder.
Can a cat with FIC have bladder cystitis?
However, these crystals are not the cause of the cystitis (bladder inflammation) and can be found in cats both with and without FIC as cats often produce very concentrated urine (within which the crystals can form). What causes FIC? By definition, FIC is a disease of unknown cause.
Feline idiopathic cystitis includes a set of clinical signs associated with abnormal urination and is an exclusionary diagnosis. Cats will often suffer waxing and waning of clinical signs such as straining to urinate, blood in urine, and inappropriate urination. Many conditions must be ruled out before a diagnosis of FIC can be made.
What can a vet do for a cat with cystitis?
Your vet may prescribe tranquilizers or antispasmodics, which will stop the urethral spasms that are causing discomfort. Antispasmodics will also relax the urethra to allow the cat to easily release urine. This will also alleviate the constant urge to try to urinate that cats with feline idiopathic cystitis may feel.
What causes lower urinary tract issues in cats?
It is estimated that over half of lower urinary tract issues in cats are diagnosed as feline idiopathic cystitis, meaning there is no underlying cause of the symptoms. However, some veterinarians believe stress may play a role in developing feline idiopathic cystitis.
Are there any natural treatments for FIC in cats?
The waxing/waning nature of clinical signs associated with FIC continue to complicate the evaluation of potential treatments. In controlled studies, more than 70% of cats with FIC appeared to respond to placebo treatments (eg, lactose, wheat flour).