What is the best way to treat feline idiopathic cystitis?
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There really is no way to treat it since the vets aren’t even sure all the reasons why it begins. Stress seems to be a big factor. My vet believes all these cats should be on pain meds such as Metacam. My cat has flare ups about once a year- a few doses of pain meds and she’s good as new until the next time.
Did your cat have a urinalysis and a urine culture to make sure it’s not a bacteria infection or crystals? Were x-rays taken to check for stones?
According to the continuing education class I took last summer, the current recommendations are feeding all or mainly canned food(and keeping a consistent diet), multiple water sources, and reducing stress in the cats life by providing “environmental enrichment”(meaning places to play, hide, sleep, etc.) Medicines like amitriptyline seem to help some cats, as does pheremone spray/diffusers like Feliway.
Hi Gatlin… feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) which commonly is associated with calcium oxalate urolithiasis. However each case is different and the calcium oxalate can be a disorder of it’s own apart from FIC. However, the specialized diet management is key to dissolve the calcium oxalate stones is similar to treatment for cats who are diagnosed with FIC.
I have a cat who was diagnosed with Feline Interstitial Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). FIC is commonly seen in cats between the ages of 1 – 10 years of age and can be caused by several factors, and combinations of these factors, which include obesity, stress, alkaline urinary pH, water and fibre intake in the animal’s diet, and possibly high ash and magnesium content in the animal’s diet thought this hasn’t been substantiated. Recurrence is common with FIC cats so preventive measures such a canned food diet to keep hydration levels high plus any other ways to encourage more water consumption is a must, easy access to multiple litter boxes in addition to regular check ups as well as supplementation with prescriptions depending on the severity of the condition.
Cats who eat dry cat foods tend to suffer from recurring episodes and this seems to be a common denominator with cats diagnosed with various types of FIC. The idea is to acidify the urine (like cranberry juice does for humans) because cats with FIC have urine pH that is more alkaline so your goal is to reverse this and canned foods have been known to achieve this with positive results.
Additionally, it’s important to schedule feed a cat so you can monitor servings taken in during the day which seems to keep the urine from becoming more alkaline.
Furthermore, for cats who suffer from FIC the hydration in the canned products helps metabolize food better and are also completely devoid of carbohydrates, which is more optimal for the feline’s body and while at the same acidifies the urine pH which is perfect for cats who have FLUTD . When cats eat raw meat in the wild they get hydration from the fresh meat juices as well as some roughage from the animals who are natural herbivores. We are have been exposed to so many commercial ads regarding dry food for cats, but in reality it’s the manufacturer’s who benefit rather than the cats. Cats are not naturally designed to eat dry–the products were designed for convenience for the owner.
All seafood cat food products should be avoided as they are high in phosphorous and turns urine pH more alkaline so canned meat products should only be used (e.g. chicken, turkey, beef, etc). You’ll have to read the labels on each of the canned food as many manufacturers add some type of fish to flavour the food which you want to avoid. Premium cat foods such as Wellness, Innova EVO, California Natural, Wysong, Life Abundance do not have any fish ingredients.
Furthermore, your veterinarian can explore which medications can help reduce the inflammation of the bladder. What works for one cat may not for another. We used Elavil (aka amitriptyline) for an off labeled use–antidepressant which helps reduce inflammation as well– with great success and mixed water in with the canned food to increase moisture has reduce his recurrences with the FIC.
Here are some websites that I’ve researched to help prepare us for the long road ahead to minimize the repeat episodes:
FLUTD/FIC:
Urolithiasis in Cats: