17 May CBD for cats with FIC
CBD introduces a novel treatment option for addressing anxiety, bladder pain, and inflammation associated with cats experiencing recurrent Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC).
As feline lifestyles lean towards increased sedentary behaviour, with more cats confined indoors due to regulatory measures such as cat curfews, the prevalence of FIC is on the rise. This shift in behaviour, characterised by reduced exercise, weight gain, and decreased voiding, contributes to the risk factors associated with FIC. The condition is not only stressful and painful for the cat but can also be a source of frustration and financial strain for pet parents, often leading to abandonment to animal shelters.
FIC, as its name suggests, manifests with clinical signs devoid of any discernible underlying cause, though stress is strongly implicated in its pathogenesis. Recurrent episodes are common, presenting with signs such as dysuria, pollakiuria, periuria, stranguria, and hematuria, sometimes leading to urethral obstruction in the absence of crystalluria. Most veterinarians recommend a multimodal approach to FIC treatment, encompassing pain relief, dietary adjustments, behavioural medications, nutraceuticals, pheromones, and environmental modifications to alleviate stress and enhance the cat’s surroundings.
CBD provides an additional therapeutic avenue for chronic FIC cases, leveraging its anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain-relieving properties. FIC shares characteristics with other chronic pain syndromes, suggesting a common pathophysiology involving endocannabinoid deficiency. FIC patients often exhibit an abnormal stress response marked by increased sympathetic stimulation and suppressed adrenocortical response, leading to heightened urothelium permeability and nociceptive nerve fibre activity. This results in the perpetuation of localized neurogenic bladder inflammatory responses and an ongoing cycle of increasing inflammation and hyperalgesia.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in modulating nociception and pain, both peripherally and centrally, through CB1 and CB2 receptor agonism. CBD’s specific inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), enzymes responsible for degrading endocannabinoids, further supports ECS regulation. CB1 receptors on presynaptic neurons, CB2 receptors on inflammatory cells, and CB1 and CB2 receptors in the urinary bladder collectively suppress inflammation and reduce pain. CBD’s interaction with serotonin receptors adds another layer of benefit, modulating serotonergic transmission and normalizing 5HT function in patients with abnormal serotonin signalling.
Growing anecdotal evidence suggests a reduction in clinical signs among FIC patients receiving cannabidiol (CBD). This emerging option offers a promising avenue for veterinarians seeking comprehensive solutions for FIC management, addressing anxiety, pain and inflammation in a whole new way.