Inflammation of the bladder in dogs and cats

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder mucosa with or without secondary bacterial infection (more common in dogs). Sometimes cystitis is a general inflammatory process in the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra).

Causes of cystitis in animals

Primary cystitis is caused by an infection (staphylococcus, enterococcus, protheus) penetrating from the outside. Active multiplication of pathogenic flora in the bladder contributes to:

hypothermia - walking in bad weather, bathing in cold water, sleeping in a draught;

sex - females are sick more often due to the peculiarities of the structure of the urethra;

congenital anomalies of the urinary organs;

infrequent walks - untimely emptying of the bladder (in dogs);

advanced age;

improper nutrition, hypovitaminosis;

sedentary lifestyle.

Secondary inflammatory processes are complications:

diseases of the upper urinary system (pyelonephritis);

prostatitis (in males);

endometritis, vaginitis, obstructed labour in females;

urolithiasis;

tumours in the urinary organs;

worm infestation;

neurological diseases, stress, causing impaired emptying and stagnation of urine;

allergies - in exceptional cases.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Usually in the acute course, symptoms include:

frequent urination in small portions, incontinence - dogs cannot tolerate being walked and cats urinate in inappropriate places;

restlessness or discomfort when urinating - dogs whine, howl, cats meow loudly. Males and females start urinating by squatting on their feet; 

urine with ammonia odour, blood, mucus, pus;

lethargy, apathy;

decreased appetite, refusal to feed;

vomiting;

thirst;

fever;

pain syndrome in the perineum, tension of the abdominal wall - the animal does not allow to palpate this area, whines or meows, dogs may try to bite the owner.

Sometimes, instead of incontinence, urinary retention occurs - the animal assumes the urinary position, but no discharge occurs. This is an acute condition that requires an emergency visit to the veterinarian for catheterisation.

In routine treatment, diagnosis includes:

examination with palpation;

urinalysis - general and bacterial culture with determination of antimicrobial sensitivity;

blood analysis - general and biochemistry;

ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and/or pelvic X-ray.

Treatment of bladder inflammation in dogs and cats

If cystitis is not complicated by urolithiasis, tumours or acute urinary retention, therapy includes the following groups of medications:

antibiotics to fight infection;

diuretics (diuretics) to relieve stasis and oedema;

haemostatic (if there is blood in the urine);

anti-inflammatory;

antispasmodics.

Veterinary preparations based on herbal extracts are also used in complex therapy, which:

reduce inflammatory manifestations (pain, oedema of mucous membranes);

have a diuretic effect, remove excess potassium and sodium;

inhibits pathogenic flora in the urinary tract.

Stop-Cystitis Bio - food supplement in the form of suspension, normalising the work of the urinary system. The drug reduces the manifestation of urological symptoms in urolithiasis or inflammation. Suspension based on medicinal herbs has no contraindications. The absence of antibacterial components in the composition allows the suspension to be used in combination with any antibiotics.