Intersitialis cystitis

My little Oliver had surgery this morning for what was thought to be bladder stones. Instead they discovered the lining of his bladder is thickening and they called it intersitialis cystitis. They said he has to be on steroids the rest of his life to keep this thickening under control. Without steroids it will thicken to the point of completely closing up and Oliver will die.

Does anyone know any information about IC or experienced this before in your cats? I've been on the internet searching for info, but havent found to much of anything.

Originally Posted by Salem Cat

My little Oliver had surgery this morning for what was thought to be bladder stones. Instead they discovered the lining of his bladder is thickening and they called it intersitialis cystitis. They said he has to be on steroids the rest of his life to keep this thickening under control. Without steroids it will thicken to the point of completely closing up and Oliver will die.

Does anyone know any information about IC or experienced this before in your cats? I've been on the internet searching for info, but havent found to much of anything.

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Hi, I've had two cats with this...one outgrew it (Lyra when she was several years younger, her brother was just diagnosed - they are now 10 y.o.).

She was diagnosed after multiple occurences of bloody peeing in the tub and sink with no infection being found when tested. She was treated with a wet food diet only and daily dose of glucosamine.

Denebola is currently on the same regimen, though I'm not convinced it is doing the trick

I'll see what I can research for you.

Here are two good links I think. 1: click here and 2: click here

Originally Posted by Salem Cat

My little Oliver had surgery this morning for what was thought to be bladder stones. Instead they discovered the lining of his bladder is thickening and they called it intersitialis cystitis. They said he has to be on steroids the rest of his life to keep this thickening under control. Without steroids it will thicken to the point of completely closing up and Oliver will die.

Does anyone know any information about IC or experienced this before in your cats? I've been on the internet searching for info, but havent found to much of anything.

Click to expand...

I don't know what to say other than I feel for your cat. At one time I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and it was one of the most painful things I've gone through. Luckily after a year of agony they found the right antibiotic that worked for me.

Wow! I never knew cats could have this. I have it myself.Also have Crohns Diseases. My bladder linning is some what thicker. but in humans at least for me. My bladder keeps shrinking to the point where it can hardly hold any urine. then I have to go into surgery and have what they call hyrdo distention done. its where they over fill your bladder with a saline solution and this will increase your bladder capicity by stretching it. Poor kitty
Steriods do help. But I can't take them all the time.

Originally Posted by Salem Cat

Does anyone know any information about IC or experienced this before in your cats? I've been on the internet searching for info, but havent found to much of anything.

Click to expand...

my cat raven was diagnosed with this. he ended up on amitriptylene, a joint supplement, & prescription food. i was also using a feliway diffuser and a cat fountain. that was about 1 1/2 years ago now. he had been having alot of problems (recurrent UTIs) for years before finally being diagnosed. i took him to a cat specialist after we moved to iowa last year, and she took him off prescription food, off the supplement, and weaned him off the amitriptylene. we previously lived in a place with alot of strays, so i think that played a major role (raven hates seeing other cats outside).

raven has been very stable since. he eats mostly canned food (fancy feast mostly, cause that's one that he'll eat regularly. that vet said it was fine). for dry the guys get Sensible Choice. but our changes were made under the supervision of a vet.

good luck with your kitty! i hope your kitty feels better soon.

Wow! Thanks everyone so much for this info and advice! It has been very helpful and I really needed to hear other experiences with this....I've been out of my mind with worry since the vet told me what it was. You've made this horrible scarey ordeal alot easier to go through! Thank you

I got to bring Oliver home today from the vets, he was there 4 days all together. He's been put on a special diet (c/d) and meds and seems to be fine. My Question is...he's been to the litter box several times now, squats for a long period of time there, and then goes to the clothes basket full of clean clothes and urinates. I'm glad to see he's urinating again and it seems to be quite a bit (still really bloody though) I realize he's relating the litter box to his pain...but will he ever use it again or am I faced with a new problem with him using clothes baskets instead?????

Originally Posted by Salem Cat

I got to bring Oliver home today from the vets, he was there 4 days all together. He's been put on a special diet (c/d) and meds and seems to be fine. My Question is...he's been to the litter box several times now, squats for a long period of time there, and then goes to the clothes basket full of clean clothes and urinates. I'm glad to see he's urinating again and it seems to be quite a bit (still really bloody though) I realize he's relating the litter box to his pain...but will he ever use it again or am I faced with a new problem with him using clothes baskets instead?????

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did you buy new boxes??? it is recommended so they dont associate the box with pain

No I didnt buy new boxes, I just scrubbed them out spotless and put them back in the bedroom where it is stree free and away from all the other cats. I'm going back to Wal-Mart right now to buy new ones...should I get them in a totally different style too????? Thanks for that advice...I should have thought about that I guess!!!!!

Oliver didnt do well after the surgery. he continued to get worse even with all the steriods and medication. The lining of his bladder thickened at an extreme rate after his surgery and 3 weeks later his bladder was almost closed up. I had to have him put to sleep. It was the worst day of my life and is still very hard to think about without crying. I buried him 2 days ago in my flower garden and planted some bulbs where he lays. I will miss Oliver the rest of my life...the little stray that stole my heart will always be there.

I am so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry to hear about Oliver. Polly has just been diagnosed with (probable) cystitis. It sounds like you did all you could for him.

I'm so sorry for you and Oliver.

I'm moving this thread to Crossing The Bridge.

RIP dear Oliver.

I am so very sorry for your loss. RIP Oliver..if there is a heaven, surely it includes cats.

I am so sorry for your loss. Poor sweet Oliver! He is safely over the Rainbow Bridge now, and free from pain. Hugs to you at this difficult time!

I am so sorry for what happened to Oliver. And I am sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose these little fur babies that we love so much. Rest in peace Oliver. You were a blessed cat to have someone who loved you so much.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Poor Oliver, that's just heartbreaking. You did all you could for him.

Thank you everyone, your thoughts mean so much to me! I know Oliver is in RB abd he was so loved. Here's a picture of him when he was younger


And this was taken right after his surgery and soon after I lost him, he's laying on a heating pad looking out the window

OMG....poor little Oliver. And you know what? He looks JUST like my Spikey. I had to put Spikey down, a year ago, and I believe it was exactly the same thing. I found Spike, when he was 4 weeks old and bottle fed him, as he was abandoned. I was his Mommy...he was my little furbaby. I so understand your pain. My little Spike was just 15 months old, when I had to have him put to sleep, and I miss him so terribly, even today. The only way I got through it, was to envision him with some of my other pets who had passed. As I envision things, they are all healthy again, and romping together, happily, while they wait for me. I think Spikey will take your little Oliver and be his friend and they will be healthy and happy again, in NO pain and romp together at the Rainbow Bridge until you meet your little Oliver again. Please know you are in my thoughts. You did do the hardest, but kindest, most loving thing you could do for your dear Oliver. May he rest in peace.....