FieldDxCystitisClinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in cattle, sheep and horses.
Overview
Bladder inflammation, most often from an ascending bacterial infection. Usually bacterial (commonly E. coli), ascending from the lower urinary tract; can also follow urolithiasis or catheterization.
Clinical signs
- Dribbling of urine (steady, intermittent passage of small volumes of urine, sometimes precipitated by a change in posture or increase in intraabdominal pressure).
Predisposing factors
- Retrograde infection from omphalitis (navel ill) is common in newborn animals 1; also associated with persistent (patent) urachus.
Treatment
- Prophylactic protocol for recurrent cystitis in animals that respond to therapy but continue to have frequent bouts of cystitis: (1) complete a therapeutic course of an antibiotic for the current infection
- Every 6–8 weeks, the antibiotic should be stopped for 3–7 days to obtain a sample for repeat urinalysis and culture.
- Every new infection should be treated with a therapeutic course of an antibiotic based on culture and susceptibility results (which will likely be different than the prophylactic antibiotic).
- Oral cranberry extract and d-mannose may be used as adjuncts.
- Reserve the most valuable therapeutic antibiotics (e.g., fluoroquinolones, second- or third-generation cephalosporins) for resistant infections.
Drugs mentioned: Amitriptyline Cefadroxil Cephalexin Dimethyl Sulfoxide Amoxicillin
Prevention
1. Encouraging frequent voiding during the daytime is helpful to prevent recurrent infections. 2. Note that the major disadvantage of using a prophylactic antibiotic protocol is the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Source
The Merck Veterinary Manual 11th Edition (Passage 267); A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Passage 151). The Merck Veterinary Manual 11th Edition (Passage 271); A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Passage 153). The Merck Veterinary Manual 11th Edition (Passage 267); A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Passage 151).
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER — Cystitis.
MSD Veterinary Manual — Cystitis in Animals (accessed 2026-08-11)
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