FIC can have a variable outcome. Lower urinary tract signs (LUTS) resolve spontaneously in many cats within two to three days of an initial episode or subsequent recurrence, with or without treatment. As many as 50 percent of these cats will have another episode within 12 months and 39 percent recurred in a more recent study of cats consurning dry food. It is not yet possible to predict which cats with FIC will relapse; some cats have multiple recurrences, while clinical signs never resolve in a small population of severely affected cats. In my experience, the most important consideration for a successful outcome is good communication with the owner. After the initial appointment and diagnostic evaluation of the cat, I commonly schedule an appointment with only the owners present to thoroughly review the disease process, discuss short- and long-term treatment options, and to ensure that the owners have a clear understanding of this problem in their cat. Some common client questions and my responsesare presented in Table 1.
展开▼
