Published: July 21, 2008 09:29 pm      

Feline urinary infection not contagious for humans

EDMOND — Q: I have a 5-year-old calico cat of mixed origin that has been exceedingly healthy all of her life until the past six months. During this period she’s had three bouts of urinary cystitis where she frequently strains to urinate and often passes a little blood tinged-urine (in the bath tub, no less). Each time my vet has dispensed antibiotic drops for me to give her and it clears up in about a week. Here’s the kicker — I’ve been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (my urologist’s words). My question for you; is it conceivable that this condition is contagious between cats and humans? I’d appreciate your opinion on this. She and I spend a lot on time in close association — both of us being “couch potatoes.” — M.B., Edmond

A: What are the odds? The lady who sent me the e-mail above and her pet cat both having interstitial cystitis simultaneously — probably not all that unusual since it is a fairly common condition in both women and domestic cats. But one thing’s for sure, it is pure coincidence as there is no contagion factor involved here. The incidence in cats seems to be much higher in middle-age cats and those who are inactive and overweight.

The signs of feline interstitial cystitis are similar to those in affected women in which the disease is characterized by painful and frequent urination without an identifiable cause. Although a specific “cause” of I.C. is not known, research clinicians, using special scopes, have made consistent findings, in most cases, of a defect in the mucous membranes lining the inner surface of the bladder and urethra. This defect is believed to allow minute amounts of urine to penetrate the bladder wall causing inflammation and slight hemorrhage.

This abnormality and the resulting clinical signs appear to be precipitated by stressful events. In cats, such events can be traced to such things as boarding, a new dog or cat in the home, weather changes, holidays in which the normal house routine is disturbed and radical diet changes or feeding schedule. In humans, I.C. episodes frequently follow known physiologically debilitating events.

Most cases of I.C. in cats will resolve spontaneously in about two weeks. Antibiotic therapy is probably less effective than environmental enrichment and modification intended to eliminate or reduce stress.

A few suggestions for the owner of the calico cat with probable I.C.: work on eliminating any extra weight she’s carrying; encourage your couch potato to exercise on a regular basis by employing different types of feline chase toys; encourage extra fluid intake; avoid a diet made up entirely of dry cat food; ask your veterinarian to check her urine pH — most cats with lower urinary tract problems have an alkaline urine — it should be slightly acid to maintain good health in this area. The latter usually can be corrected by feeding a proper prescription diet.



DR. WILLIAM K. FAUKS is a retired Oklahoma City veterinarian. If you have any questions regarding the health of your pet, please write to “Ask a Vet,” at 3142 Venice Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73112, or e-mail bfauks1@aol.com.