Help - Polly has Cystitis I think

[Kay and Penny]

glad to hear it seems to have been a passing episode

iit would be a good idea to get a prescription anyway to keep on hand, as cystitis often recurs

[Daisymac]

Sorry my broadband is down so I am on my mobile,   Polly is loads better today,  she is not in the litter tray as much and seems pretty much back to normal,  will take her to the vets tomorrow 

[Desley (booktigger)]

How is she today? I would use something other than fish to get cats who are having trouble urinating drinking, as the magnesium in fish can contribute to cystitis. I have used mashed up food with lots of water (I was lucky that I had urinary food in at the time though).

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

My Tilly is a martyr to cystitis. There's two basic causes (viral and non-viral) but both treated in the same way. Bacteria builds up in the bladder and inflammes things, then the urine attacks the weakened bladder lining and urethra. The knack is to adjust the chemical balance in urine and that eases the inflammation.  As has been said, sometimes an increase in water intake is enough for the bladder to settle back down. If it persists or gets severe a long acting antibiotic coupled with a treatment like Cystease will sort it.

There is a virus which can cause cystitis which you can test for. The test isn't pleasant as it involves sedation and puncturing the bladder to get a sample. Day surgery case. Not cheap. Also cystitis can caused by stress, and sometimes them not wanting to go outside to pee as often as usual so the urine gets more potent and damages the bladder lining. 

In fact it's more or less exactly the same for humans... only you can't get a cat to drink Cranberry! 

[Daisymac]

Thanks I am off to open a can of Tuna xxx

[Kay and Penny]

I have had on two occasions female cats who have had a bout of short-lived cystitis which cleared up without treatment - but neither had a show of blood or were in real pain as opposed to uncomfortable

if you have a tin of tuna you could drain and add more water to the juice and top up the actual fish with more water

[Daisymac]

Thanks Tab 

[Daisymac]

Thanks Trigger,   so do you think I will be OK not taking her to the vets tonight ?,  she is eating as I type so she is at least feeling like she wants to eat.   I will turn the tap on and let her drink from that,   how do I make fishey water ?  (or am I being blonde ?  )

[tab]

With Amber i usually wait until there is red pee because until then its hard to tell if shes got cystitis or if shes doing a 'poo run'
That said she wont go on the tray if Im in the room so I never really know if shes on the tray yowling or not.
I add warm water to her food to make sure shes got plenty of fluid going in. If it only started this afternoon i would think its ok to wait until tomorrow.
love
tab

[Kay and Penny]

it can suddenly clear up without treatment, but there's no guarantee of that

can you get her to drink more? make up some fishy water, or similar? it helps if there is something in the bladder to expel

[Daisymac]

Poor Polly  I would take her to a vet because cystitis can be very painful, our Penny had it a few times but I could tell she was not herself, she kept going to pee in other places and meow.

SHould I take her now or wait till they are open ?,   she is OK otherwise,  still eating and running about 

[Janeyk]

Poor Polly  I would take her to a vet because cystitis can be very painful, our Penny had it a few times but I could tell she was not herself, she kept going to pee in other places and meow.

[Daisymac]

Polly Lolly Legs has just been sitting in the litter tray for ages looking like she was having a wee but she only managed to do a little bit,   she has since been back to the cat litter tray twice and again sat there for about 5 mins and only wee'ed a little bit,   she is fine in herself she is eating and drinking as normal but I dont know what do do,  our vets are closed now and it is a £90 call out before I start,  do I need to get her to the vets urgently  ?  Any help appreciated.