Comparative evaluation of pseudomembranous and idiopathic cystitis in cats: A retrospective study from South Gujarat, India

Abstract

Feline idiopathic cystitis (IC) is a common cause of lower urinary tract disease in cats and presents with variable clinical severity. Pseudomembranous cystitis (PMC) is an uncommon and severe manifestation characterized by intraluminal pseudomembrane formation within the urinary bladder. The present retrospective study aimed to compare the clinicopathological, biochemical, urinalysis, and ultrasonographic findings between PMC and IC in cats. Medical records of twelve cats presented to veterinary clinics in Vapi and Valsad districts of South Gujarat over a one-year period were reviewed. Based on ultrasonographic features, cases were categorized into PMC (n = 5) and IC (n = 7). Comparative evaluation included clinical signs, complete blood count, kidney function tests, urine strip analysis, and ultrasonography. Cats with PMC exhibited more severe clinical signs, significantly higher leukocyte counts, elevated renal biomarkers, and increased frequency of hematuria compared to IC cases (p