Easy Cats Afraid? Could Be An Early Sign Of FIC Disease

JAKARTA - Recent research in Canada found that excessive anxiety or fear of cats could be an early sign of a mysterious disease called the Pheline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) or idioptic cystitis in cats. This disease attacks the lower urinary tract, but the exact cause is still unknown.

According to the researchers, cats that seem easily shocked, afraid of foreigners, or show anxiety behavior are more likely to experience a FIC recovery. These findings provide important clues regarding the possible link between the cat's mental condition and the physical health disorders it experiences.

Symptoms of the FIC are similar to common urinary tract infections. Cats that experience it may appear straining when urinating, frequent toiletries in small amounts, or mengung pain while in the sandbox. In more severe cases, cat urine can contain blood.

But unlike bacterial infections, ethnic cats with FIC do not contain sterile bacteria. Therefore, veterinarians will first rule out other possibilities before confirming a diagnosis of the FIC.

The sad thing is, about half of cats that have been hit by FIC will experience recurrences, and one in five cats that repeatedly recur, eventually die, due to unfinished pain or constant treatment costs.

"Some cats eventually have to be put to death because of this disease," said Dr. Marion Desmarchelier, a zoologous medical scientist from Montreal University, as reported by the Science Alert page.

"The disease itself is not deadly, but the cost of repeated emergency care can be too heavy for some families," he continued.

Previous research showed an imbalance between hormone and nerve systems, particularly with regard to the hormone adrenaline, which may be the root of the FIC.

The developing theory says excessive adrenaline spike can damage the bladder wall, so sensory nerves are exposed and cause pain and inflammation.

If a cat can't reduce its adrenaline response, because there is already damage, then symptoms will more easily recur. This reinforces allegations of psychological factors such as anxiety not only the signature of the FIC, but possibly the cause as well.

The research team contacted the cat owners who were diagnosed by the FIC during the pandemic, and asked them to fill out a questionnaire regarding cat behavior, possible recurrence, and whether they followed certain environmental advice to support cat health.

Of the 33 questionnaires who returned, there was a striking difference between cats that had only experienced the FIC once and experienced it repeatedly. More than half of cats with one FIC were reported to be CAREless towards foreigners, while almost all cats who experienced recurrence showed defeat.

"Initially we thought cats that were anxious and aggressive would be more vulnerable to repeated FICs, but it turned out that it was a coward and tended to pull away, which was at greater risk," said Desmarchelier.

Other behaviors such as aggression against humans or between cats are not proven to be in direct contact with the FIC.

Researchers suggest that the FIC should not only be seen as a bladder problem, but also as a result of the cat's own mental health. Helping cats feel safe and calm may reduce the risk of inflammation in their urinary tract.

Several ways to calm the cat include:

- Providing some hiding places in the house so that cats can stay away from others when they feel pressured.

- Therapy to help reduce stress.

- Avoiding sudden changes in the home environment, including the arrival of foreigners who are too frequent.

In the future, further research is expected to reveal more clearly how the relationship between the anxiety and the function of the cat's body, including their ability to urinate comfortably.

Meanwhile, pet owners are advised to be more sensitive to signs of anxiety in their cats, especially when guests arrive.

"Their anxiety may have far greater impact than we thought." said Desmarchelier.