Interstitial cystitis is a noninfectious, inflammatory disease of the urinary system. The exact cause is unknown. Normally, the inner lining of the bladder has a protective layer that prevents urine from penetrating the bladder wall. In cats with interstitial cystitis, this layer is damaged and the urine can essentially pass through this lining, irritating the bladder wall and causing pain and inflammation. Stress is thought to play a factor in this disease as well, as nervous stimulation to the bladder appears to worsen the inflammation.

Clinical Signs (Your cat may show any or all of these signs)

• Straining to urinate
• Crying while urinating
• Urinating in places other than the litterbox
• Blood visible in the urine (This can vary from day to day)
• Increased frequency in urinating
• Licking at the urinary area or the groin
• Irritability and painfulness

Interstitial Cystitis is considered to be a disease of exclusion. This means that you performed a thorough work up (x-ray/ultrasound, urine culture, and urinalysis) and rule out all of the other urinary diseases. There is no current test to test exclusively for this disease at this time, although bladder biopsies and cystoscopy (evaluation of the inside of the bladder under anesthesia with a special fiber optic endoscope) can be fairly conclusive.

While there is no cure, there are medications and environment changes that can help control this disease.

1. Pain control is a very important. There are a variety of pain control medications currently available such as butorphanol, buprenorphine, amitriptyline and meloxicam. Some pain medications work better in some cats than others so several may be tried to achieve comfort.
   
2. Increase your cat’s water consumption! Diluting the urine can help dramatically with comfort and increased frequency of urination. This helps to "flush out" the urinary system. In addition, dilute urine is less irritating to the bladder lining. Feeding your cat more canned food. Be sure to feed the appropriate prescription canned food. Add water to the canned food to create a gruel, or "kitty soup" consistency and warm in the microwave. Commercial cat drinking fountains and dripping sink faucets can also help increase water intake. Frozen ice cubes containing water and meat broth or tuna juices can also be given
   
3. Since stress also intensifies this disease, stress reduction is crucial. Avoid changes as much as possible. Keep the litterbox as clean as possible, making sure to scoop daily and change the litter weekly. Try to keep their exposure to animals people as constant as possible. Attempt to reduce any changes to the home as well. Try to spend time interacting with your pet too. Provide plenty of toys with which to play. Anti-anxiety drugs such as valium, paxil, and amitriptyline, can also help when stress reduction is difficult. You may see some worsening of signs during holidays, vacations, when adding a new pet or baby, or other family changes such as a move to a new home. Medications may need to be increased at these times.
   
4. Other medications that can help are cosequin and acetylator. These products contain glucosamine which helps to repair, rebuild, and protect the damaged bladder layer. Glucosamine is similar to a normal compound that is found in the inner bladder layer of healthy cats and can be deficient in cats with interstitial cystitis.