Cystitis Linked To Stress In Cats
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
October 20, 2012 3:09pm CST
We all know this of course; the stress link for cystitis in cats.
Now, Flojo has been treated for her cystitis with anti-inflammatories. I have been giving her a small dose in her food every day for the last two weeks and ran out on Friday. There is no message on the label to say we can go for a repeat prescription.
Today (Saturday), she was stressed out, going in her litter tray but not doing very much. This was after she'd done her usual poo and wee she normally does, that I emptied so she has a clean tray with small wooden pellets in, over newspaper.
She's quieter now but I'm worried about her straining in the litter tray and being stressed, so, bearing this in mind, I've ordered a Feliway refill for the pheromone diffuser we used a while ago that calms her down when other cats are in the area. Presently, there is one that goes into our flower-bed for a poo (probably during the night as neither me or John has witnessed it), so, when John lets Flojo out into the yard, the first thing she does is investigate where our little visitor has been. So I can only think that knowing a cat has invaded her space is stressing her out somewhat and bringing on the cystitis.
John advised me to email the vet as all vets in the area are closed for the weekend now. What I don't want, however, if for John to keep having to fork out £50 a time in order to get more anti-inflammatories.
Is there anything else we can do? Are we missing something?
It will be interesting to see if the Feliway works once the refill arrives but - would you still see the vet in the meantime?
3 responses
@deazil (4730)
• United States
20 Oct 12
Hi Janey, I'm sorry to hear about Flojo not feeling well. I have found a few sites that may help. They're natural remedies. The first one is www.earthclinic.com/Pets/cystitis.html It's a good site. I go to it a lot for people remedies as well. I think the vinegar they're talking about is organic. That's what usually works best. The other links are www.ehow.com/about_7239435_natural-cure-cat-cystitis.html and www.cystitisrelief.com/feline-cystitis/natural-remedies-for-feline-cystitis/ This last one mentions a cat food brand that I've bought before. It's very good. I hope you find some help in some of this information.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Oct 12
Thank you so much for your concern and the links that you have kindly included in your response. I shall check them out now.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Oct 12
She is sleeping upstairs on John's computer chair. She goes there when she's having a Greta "I vant to be alone" Garbo moment lol.
She has been in the litter tray but not done an awful lot, bless 'er. I've been doing more research on the internet, including vet sites, and there is a product called Cystease, so we may mention that to the vet when we take her (or, ideally, John drive down for a repeat prescription of the medicine she's already been on). No doubt, this will be tomorrow so I shall let you know what happens.
@deazil (4730)
• United States
21 Oct 12
You're welcome!
I just love cats and feel badly when there's something wrong. And I know the stress and worry it's probably causing you. I don't know what I would do without my cats. Please come back and let me know how she's doing. Hopefully you'll have good news.
I just love cats and feel badly when there's something wrong. And I know the stress and worry it's probably causing you. I don't know what I would do without my cats. Please come back and let me know how she's doing. Hopefully you'll have good news. 
@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
21 Oct 12
Hi Janey my long lost best friend in the UK..Hope that you are well. Anyway, when my cat had cystitis I took her to the vet and he told me some interesting facts. Did you know that cystitis is very often caused by stress, who knew? Anyway their is a vaccine that vets recommend you to get. Urine should be submitted for culture and sensitivity tests to rule out infection or, if an infection is present. Antibiotics need to be taken but there are so many different types, a vet will know the right one to give your cat. So, Should you take the cat to the vet? Yes, definitely. I hope Flojo is feeling better soon, and I strongly recommend a trip to the doctor, he will talk about prevention which to me is the most important subject..Good luck, I hope she is feeling better real soon
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Oct 12
Hello, my favourite Yank lol.
Yes, Flojo does suffer from stress (other cats) which is the reason why she's kept semi-indoors, only let out under supervision in the yard. If she senses a cat's been in the raised flower-bed she's never happy about it and I'm quite sure this is linked to her cystitis, as we've done all the right things with her diet. In fact, I've put some more water in the wet cat food that is currently mixed in with the gravy, so that will encourage her to take in more liquid as she LOVES licking the gravy off, which is good.
I've been reading about a product called Cystease as well. These are in tablet form but can be broken up and put into the food. No doubt we shall see the vet tomorrow so I might mention this and, hopefully, be able to get some more of that medication she was on, as that was working the two weeks she was on it.
Yes, Flojo does suffer from stress (other cats) which is the reason why she's kept semi-indoors, only let out under supervision in the yard. If she senses a cat's been in the raised flower-bed she's never happy about it and I'm quite sure this is linked to her cystitis, as we've done all the right things with her diet. In fact, I've put some more water in the wet cat food that is currently mixed in with the gravy, so that will encourage her to take in more liquid as she LOVES licking the gravy off, which is good.
I've been reading about a product called Cystease as well. These are in tablet form but can be broken up and put into the food. No doubt we shall see the vet tomorrow so I might mention this and, hopefully, be able to get some more of that medication she was on, as that was working the two weeks she was on it. @anklesmash (1412)
•
20 Oct 12
Cats can suffer from cystitis for dietary reasons.Our cat used to get Cystitis from eating cat biscuits and not drinking enough water.When we changed her diet to only wet cat food she never had the problem after.Another possible cause is a dirty litter tray but I don't think that is very likely,by what you have said it sounds like you clean it out regularly.Personally I would see the vet in the meantime even if the diet is the cause changing it is only a preventative measure.The current infection needs to be treated.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Oct 12
The first time she had cystitis was 2 years ago and we changed her diet then, so she has both wet and dry food. She also has water but can also get fluid from gravy in the wet food.
There have been no problems until 3 weeks ago and we think it may be linked to a new cat seen in the area that goes in our raised flower bed. I cannot stop the cat from going in there as we both tend to be in bed when it does. I'm wondering if there is anything on the market that can fend the cat from going in the raised flower bed in the first place?
It does look like I shall be speaking to the vets on Monday as Flojo was quiet for a time but is now trying again to 'go' in the litter tray, which, as you suspected, is cleaned regularly.
