Image: IAABC Foundation
Scaredy Cats and Painful Pee: Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
Sessions
From the 2024 IAABC Foundation Animal Behavior Conference:
Inappropriate elimination is one of the most common (and frequently frustrating!) behavior problems that prompt cat caregivers to seek help from a professional. While there are a number of different underlying factors that can contribute to urination outside the litter box, this presentation will focus on one particular disorder that really needs a team approach involving both veterinarians and behavior consultants for the best chance of long-term resolution.
Cats who struggle with idiopathic cystitis often have recurring bouts of straining, painful urination, and bloody urine – which would seem to put this disorder squarely in the "medical problem” category. However… as with so many things in the world of behavior, it’s not that clear cut! Clinical research into this issue since the early 2000s indicates that FIC kitties often have measurable abnormalities in their sympathetic nervous system and HPA axis, and that stress plays a major role in causing flare-ups. In this talk, we’ll discuss what we know about the pathogenesis of FIC, red flags that should prompt a vet visit for cats with inappropriate urination, and the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both the medical *and* behavioral aspects of this problem.
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