Is FIC in cats curable?
There is no cure for FIC, but symptoms can be improved with medication and lifestyle changes. It’s very important to contact your vet if you notice a change in your cat’s peeing habits. In severe cases, FIC can cause a blocked bladder, which can be fatal.
What causes feline idiopathic cystitis?
By definition, in cases of feline idiopathic cystitis there are no known causes. The conditions that must be ruled out first include: bladder stones and urethral plugs. bladder infections.
How common is feline idiopathic cystitis?
Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most common form of FLUTD; approximately 2/3 of cats with FLUTD have FIC.
Should I adopt a cat with FIC?
Historically, FIV- positive cats have often been considered un-adoptable, and are euthanized in many shelters. However, new research has shown that FIV-positive cats are in fact very adoptable, and can live the same lifespan as an FIV-negative cat.
How do vets treat FIC?
Treatment of Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) Your vet might prescribe pain relievers such as butorphanol or buprenorphine, which are low-dose opioids. Gabapentin is a drug in a different class that may also be used to control pain. If your cat’s urethra is blocked, it will require much more extensive treatment.
How long does it take a cat to recover from FIC?
With FIC, many cats develop recurrent episodes of clinical signs. They may develop quite rapidly, and then often naturally subside and resolve over 5-10 days, only to recur again later. In severe cases, the signs can recur rapidly and frequently, and in some cats, the signs may persist for long periods.
Is feline idiopathic cystitis fatal?
Prognosis of feline idiopathic cystitis FIC is considered a very treatable disease in most cats. It only becomes life threatening if urethral obstruction and the inability to urinate develop.
Is feline idiopathic cystitis painful?
FIC is a painful condition, so in acute episodes, and especially if the cat is showing signs of discomfort, the use of an analgesic drug (prescribed by your vet) may be valuable.
Why can’t FIV cats go outside?
There are two main reasons put forward for the policy: that outside, an FIV cat would pick up infections from neighbouring cats; and that the FIV cat could spread the virus to the neighbouring cats.
Does FIC go away on its own?
Sometimes, though, antibiotics appear to help, but this is only coincidental, as the clinical signs of FIC often subside on their own in four to seven days, regardless of treatment initiatives. Unfortunately, clinical signs of FIC recur within 6-12 months in about 50% of cats.
Can cats be on gabapentin long-term?
We conclude that long-term treatment with gabapentin is of potential benefit in controlling pain in cases of head trauma, as well as musculoskeletal disease. It may provide a valuable adjunct for the management of chronic pain in cats and should be investigated further for its clinical use and safety.
What causes FIC?
The single most common cause of stress in cases of FIC is probably conflict with another cat in the household. This may be very difficult to detect, but should always be suspected in a cat with FIC where there are other cats in the same house.