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Cystitis in Cats
A common cause of peeing in the house
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'Why has my previously house trained cat has suddenly started
peeing in the house'
I have heard this question asked many times and of course there is
not a simple answer as there can be many causes but one common cause
is Feline Cystitis.
What is Feline Cystitis?
Cystitis generally means irritation of the bladder. Feline
Idiopathic Cystitis (Idiopathic means no known cause) is quite
common in cats. It is just one of the disorders which
comes under the heading of FLUTD. 'Feline Lower Urinary Tract
Disorders'.
A more in depth article on Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorders can
be read here.
What are the symptoms of Cystitis in
Cats?
- Cat Straining to urinate
- Blood in cat's urine. Urine may have a pink tinge to it
- Cat licks it's genital region excessively
- Increased frequency in cat's urination
- Cat may stop using the litter box
- Cat pees in unusual places such as the bathtub, hand basins,
kitchen benches, on the floor, on the bed or on the kitchen or
bathroom tiles.
- Cat tries to pee but only passes a few drops
- Cat may cry out when passing urine. Ouch! It hurts.
What is the treatment for Cystitis in
Cats?
Your vet may prescribe antibiotics. Even though
bacteria are rare, some antibiotics have anti-inflammatory or
analgesic (pain relieving) effects. Other anti-inflammatory drugs,
such as steroids, are occasionally used when there is severe
inflammation.
Why does my cat pee all over the house
We really don't know what is going on in your cat's mind but it
is believed that the cat may associate the pain of urination with
his litter tray or his usual place of urination and so he/she seeks
other places which he thinks may not hurt so much. Another theory is
that your cat may seek cool places such as bath tubs and tiles
because of the burning sensation he is feeling.
Give your Cat a Chance
Did you know that one of the top ten reasons why people surrender
their cats to shelters is because of inappropriate urination
problems? Before you throw up you hands in despair, give your cat a
chance and take her/him to the vet to rule out Feline Cystitis.
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