Feline cystic kidney disease, or feline cystitis, refers to an inflammation of a cat's bladder and is also known as either feline urologic syndrome or feline lower urinary tract disease. Feline cystitis usually results in the presence of tiny crystals and blood in the urine.
The cause of cystitis in cats is not known. Dogs and humans typically develop cystitis from bacterial infections, but cats with cystitis usually do not have bacteria in their urine. A dry cat food diet has also been implicated in the development of the disease; this theory has been disproven, although dry cat food can aggravate the condition once established. Some research suggests that a herpes virus may actually be the cause, but additional research will need to be done before a connection can be definitively established. Feline cystitis has a history of recurring, lending more credence to the theory that the source is viral.
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Signs of Feline Cystic Kidney Disease
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A cat with feline cystitis will have blood in his urine and exhibit increased frequency and discomfort in urinating. A male cat may develop enough crystals in his urine to block the urethra entirely, a condition sometimes referred to as blocked cat. (The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of a cat's body.)This blockage should be treated as an emergency, since it can cause kidney failure following a buildup of toxins in the system and result in death. Female cats usually develop bladder stones that require surgical removal but do not develop blockages as their urethras are larger.
Treatment
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Treatment depends on the chemical changes in the composition of the urine (such as crystals, blood, altered pH), the type of crystals that are present, the clinical signs that the cat presents (such as straining to urinate or urinating more frequently), and whether a urethral blockage or bladder stone or stones are present. (Bladder stones are mineral deposits that generally form in the cat's bladder.)
A follow-up visit seven to ten days after treatment, regardless of type, is necessary for a urine recheck to confirm that the problem has not recurred.
If No Blockage or Bladder Stone Is Present
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Medication can generally do the trick if there is no blockage or bladder stone, with an initial urinalysis to help determine which type of medication to administer. Dietary changes as recommenced by your veterinarian will also help to dissolve urine crystals; the nature of the alterations you make depends on the type of crystals present. Struvite crystals (formed when the pH of the urine turns alkaline following a bacterial infection) break up in acidic urine, so a diet that promotes acidification of the urine will help. Non-struvite crystals, on the other hand, may thrive in acidic urine, so a non-acidic diet would be of more help in dissolving that type of crystal. It is advisable to continue with the specialized diet as a precautionary measure after the crystals have been dissolved.
When A Blockage Is Present
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If the cat's urethra is obstructed, a catheter is inserted into the bladder while the cat is anesthetized. The cat usually remains hospitalized for a day or two afterward to be sure that no further obstruction forms. If kidney failure and toxemia (bacterial toxins in the blood) are present, intravenous fluids and a longer hospital stay are required.
In some cases surgery is necessary if the blockage is severe enough to prevent the re-establishment of a normal urine flow.
Possible Complications
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Bladder atony is the most common complication of a urethral blockage. Bladder atony occurs when the bladder muscle walls lose their ability to contract to expel urine, after being stretched beyond their usual capacity during the urethral blockage. A longer hospitalization is necessary to allow the muscles to rebound.
An enlarged bladder can push up against the kidneys enough to damage them and, again, a longer hospitalization will be required for proper treatment.
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