Cystitis (Bladder Inflammation, lower urinary tract)

Veterinary care required

This condition belongs in veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Compounds are at most supportive.

Priority · vet & management

Veterinary clarification is important to find the underlying cause (stones, outflow disorder, underlying disease) — in the horse a cystitis is rarely 'just' a bladder inflammation. Any antibiotic treatment is prescription-only and to be steered by the vet.

Possible causes

• · urinary stones/sand as an irritation factor
• · urination/bladder-emptying disorders (e.g. nervous/neurological in origin)
• · ascending bacterial infection, often on a pre-existing disorder
• · after foaling, catheterisation or with persistent urine dribbling

Supportive compounds · supplementary feed, not medication

Prevention

Promote ample water intake and exercise and have triggers such as urinary stones or urination disorders worked up by the vet early.

Equiterna's take

Equiterna points out that in the horse a bladder inflammation almost always has another disorder behind it: instead of urinary-flushing herbs, the veterinary search for the cause comes first — unproven or diuretic preparations can obscure the actual problem.