Signs of Cystitis in Cats

Cystitis is a common feline disease that causes inflammation of the cat's urinary bladder, veterinarian Debra Primovic says at the Pet Place website. Cystitis has a number of causes, including a buildup of bacteria in the bladder, bladder stones, bladder tumors, diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and certain types of drugs. Once your veterinarian diagnoses your cat, treatment might consist of corticosteroids, antibiotics and removal of bladder stones, if present.

  1. Difficulty Urinating

    • Cystitis often causes difficulty urinating in cats. This could mean that your cat is straining to urinate without producing much urine, urinating more frequently or urinating in inappropriate places, according to the Utah Veterinary Clinics website. Cats with cystitis experience pain when attempting to urinate, and can associate this pain with the litter box, causing them to find other places to urinate.

    Frequent Genital Licking

    • Inflammation and irritation of the genital area often occur in a cat suffering from cystitis. The cat begins to lick its genitals more frequently in an attempt to soothe the area and relieve the pain, according to Vet Info. This symptom is especially relevant if your cat has been urinating in odd places recently.

    Blood in Urine

    • Blood in a cat's urine can be visible to the naked eye, or could require the use of a microscope to be visible. The presence of blood in your cat's urine could be accompanied by other symptoms, such as painful urination and abdominal pain. Taking your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you notice blood in its urine could help catch the problem before it becomes advanced.