My name is Lola and I am the proud owner of Stitch. Stitch is a happy 2-year-old male cat. Normally he is very energetic, loves to play with his sister and loves attention immensely. Only a fortnight ago, I suddenly noticed something strange about him.
What do I notice about Stitch?
- He peed in random places around the house.
Peeing often, but not a lot
He also meowed during urination.
He wasn't feeling well, he didn't want to play anymore and avoided attention.
At first I thought ‘the litter box is too dirty’, as he still tends not to want to go on it sometimes when it is too dirty in his opinion. After cleaning the litter box I thought I had solved the problem. Unfortunately this was not the case, in the following days Stitch kept peeing in strange places. Immediately after I started noticing this, I called the vet. They asked me to collect urine for a urinalysis. They thought (as I did) of a bladder infection.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be cystitis, and was a bit worse than we expected.
Don't let cystitis come between you and your cat - work together for a healthy future.
But what exactly is cystitis & what are its causes?
Bladder calculi is a condition in which crystals or stones form in a cat's bladder. These crystals often consist of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. It starts with small crystals in the urine, but over time, these crystals can coalesce into stones. These stones can block a cat's urinary pathway. This leads to painful and potentially life-threatening situations.
The causes of bladder stones
- Food: The food can play a major role in the formation
of bladder stones. If the food is rich in minerals such as magnesium and
calcium (the minerals that make up bladder stones), this increases the risk of
bladder stones. - Hydration: Cats that don't drink enough water are a
greater risk. A moisture-poor environment ensures that the minerals form into
crystals more easily. - Stress: Cats are sensitive animals and can become
stressed easily. Long-term stress can affect a cat's immune system and health.
This can increase the risk of bladder stones - Age: Older and male cats in particular are more
likely to develop bladder stones. - Breed: Some cat breeds have a genetic predisposition
to produce bladder stones. Among others, the Persian cat and the Siamese.
Bad news for Stitch
Since Stitch's bladder was already so clogged, it was decided that he needed to be admitted to the veterinary clinic. Here, he was given a catheter, antibiotics and painkillers. Fortunately, he was doing so well the next day that he was allowed to go home again.
For home, we were given some things by the vet that should help reduce the bladder stones. I was given special food. I was also given antibiotics and painkillers
How does my cat get rid of bladder stones?
- Medical treatment: The veterinarian may prescribe
medication that will relieve the symptoms of bladder stones and fight any
infections. Medication can also be prescribed depending on the type of bladder
stones, which dissolves the crystals. - Feed adjustment: Adjusting the feed is an important
part of the treatment against bladder stones. It is therefore good to purchase
food that is specially made to prevent bladder crystals. This is often low in
minerals involved in crystal formation - Adequate fluids: Good hydration helps dilute urine
and promotes a healthy urinary system. So make sure your cat drinks a lot of
water by means of a drinking fountain. Wet food also ensures that the cat gets
more fluids. Does your cat not want to drink? Then throw some water with the
kibble in the morning or evening. - Stress reduction: If stress plays a role in your cat
for the formation of bladder stones, it is important to make sure you know what
the stress factor is. Reduce these and provide a calm, safe environment for
your cat. - Check-ups: It is necessary to submit urine to the vet
regularly during treatment. They can check the progress and ensure that the
bladder stones remain under control. Follow these recommendations from the vet
carefully and give any medication accurately.
All's well that ends well
Stitch is thankfully doing much better now. I notice that the antibiotics and painkillers are working well. Because Stitch's biggest cause was insufficient water, I bought a drinking fountain on the vet's advice and he is already drinking a lot more!
This coming week he has to visit the vet for a check-up; I expect him to be a lot better already.
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