diagnosis: Interstitial Cystitis

[mpoier]

Hello Everyone,

My 1 year old Kitty Bailey has pretty much been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, a bladder inflammatoin disease which is hard to cure without extensive testing, surgery, etc.

My regular vet gave him an ultrasound 2 days ago and his kidneys and bladder checked out good....although he still has blood in his urine and he has been on antibiotics for a month now.

We are going to see a specialist in a week, so hopefully they can do something to help my baby Bailey....he's so young and fragile still. The thought of having him in pain and on antibiotics on and off during his little life just kills me.....

Please keep him in your prayers.

Thanks!
Michelle

[Uabassoon]

I'll be sure to send my thoughts and prayers in Baileys direction. It's always hard when our furkids are sick. I hope your visit to the specialist goes well.

[slick]

Don't remember if I said Welcome to Pet Talk. So sorry about your furkid Bailey. Sending prayers your way that he isn't in pain. I really hope the specialist can come up with a solution. Please keep us posted.

[K & L]

Poor Bailey! I've never heard of this before. Is it rare?

[mpoier]

Its not too rare, but its hard to treat because its based on the individual situation, basicly is the thinkening of the lining in the bladder that traps bacteria so that antibiotics can't "reach" to treat it. its pretty common in male cats, more than female.

If anyone in the forum has dealt with this condition, please feel free to write and tell me any advice you have that can help! I've heard that changing to strictly canned food can help increase water consumption and dilute the urine, so I will try that too.

Thanks for all of your support!

Michelle

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Sorry, I haven't heard of this before either, but I just wanted to welcome you to Pet Talk, and let you know that I really hope the specialist can do something for little Bailey. Hugs, thoughts and prayers going out to you and Bailey.

[HayleyRosie]

So sorry to hear about your cats illness. I hope the vet can do something. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[mpoier]

Bailey says thank you!

[Rocky'smomma]

awww..I am so sorry to hear this about your sweet kitty!!! I will pray he overcomes this, and hangs in there....((((hugs)))))

[krazyaboutkatz]

I've never heard of this either. Prayers and positive thoughts are on the way for poor Bailey. I sure hope that the specialist will be able to help you. All fingers and paws are crossed here too.

[moosmom]

Michelle,

I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey. I hope the specialist can help him. It's so hard to see your furbaby in pain and not be able to do anything. You and Bailey will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cataholic]

Hi, how is Bailey doing? My sister has IC...it is fairly rare, at least in hoomans.....I would like to hear how Bailey is doing, and how the dx was made....., and what sort of treatment the specialist suggests.

[mpoier]

Bailey is doing really well right now! I have him on a wet food diet of Purina UR food, and I give him a little dry Hill's C/D per my vet's suggestion.

He hasn't gone to the bathroom anywhere else but his box, and from what I can see he has just as much energy as before.

The thing about this disease is that it can come and go, you just have to watch your cat very carefully, especially when he/she goes to the catbox, the minute you see signs of a possible blockage, a trip to the vet is imperative.

Unfortunately, the specialist that we took him to didn't have too many treatments, just suggested the wet food diet which apparently dilutes the urine (the cat consumes more water) so that the minerals don't have to pass through in high amounts.....keeps things flushed out.

I wish I had more answers! I have been doing alot of research, but have seen the same answers as what I am doing now. I figure since its working.....that I will keep doing it and go day by day.

Thanks for your concern!

Michelle

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by mpoier

The thing about this disease is that it can come and go, you just have to watch your cat very carefully, especially when he/she goes to the catbox, the minute you see signs of a possible blockage, a trip to the vet is imperative.

Please don't misinterpret my intentions, but, IC doesn't just go away. It is a chronic, and progressive bladder condition. IC is very uncommon, and not many uroligists are familar with it. Maybe your kitty has something else?

[mpoier]

Oh no! I must have misunderstood! In Bailey's case, he has not shown any signs of IC, no blood in his urine, etc....not to say that he doesn't have it. I know he will always have it, its just a matter of his showing signs of pain, etc..

I hope this all made sense!