Cystitis:  Bladder Inflammation - Infection

Affected Animals:  Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals

Information and Overview:   There are many causes of cystitis, which is an inflammation of the urinary bladder. More common causes include a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, bladder stones, polyps, tumors, kidney failure, diabetes, and an anatomical defect called a diverticulum, which is a tiny pocket remaining after birth in the bladder wall that retains urine. Cystitis causes a wide range of problems with urination. Some dogs may strain to urinate, urinate more frequently, show pain on urination, or become incontinent. Blood also may appear in the urine. Depending on the cause of the inflammation, the cystitis may be treated through a variety of methods. Often, dogs will recover from the disease, but animals that have very chronic infections refractory to antibiotic, or those that develop cystitis because of a tumor carry a guarded prognosis.

---