Sterile cystitis is inflammation in the bladder that is characterized by sterile urine, or urine that contains no infectious agents. The most common cause of sterile cystitis is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Most affected cats are neutered, between two and six years of age and spend most of their time indoors.
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Causes
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Feline idiopathic cystitis has no known cause. Several factors can contribute to FIS and include obesity, neutering, lack of exercise, type of food, low water intake and stress.
Symptoms
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The symptoms for lower urinary tract infections are the same regardless of the cause and include frequent painful urination, blood in the urine, straining to urinate and urination in inappropriate locations.
Diagnosis
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Diagnosis is based on the clinical signs and includes the finding of sterile urine (no bacteria present) along with the failure to find any other actual cause.
Treatment
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Most cases of FIS will resolve within five to seven days regardless of treatment. Some veterinarians will prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatories although there is no indication of their effectiveness.
Prevention/Solution
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The recurrence of FIS can be reduced by changing from a dry to a wet food, controlling weight, providing a constant supply of fresh water, allowing free access to the litter box and reducing stress.
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