Pseudomembranous Cystitis with Acute Anemia in a Cat

Abstract

Pseudomembranous cystitis in cats is a rare disease that is characterized by the formation of a pseudomembrane due to the partial detachment of the bladder mucosa, and it generally has a relatively benign prognosis. We observed a cat that exhibited the total detachment of the bladder mucosa along with acute regenerative anemia. A 13-year-old neutered male cat presented to the primary care veterinary hospital with anorexia and dysuria. Persistent hematuria resulted in the packed cell volume (PCV) dropping rapidly from 50% to 16% within seven days, leading to a significant deterioration in its condition. Ultrasonography showed a calcified occupying mass in the bladder without septal structures, which are not typical findings. The diagnosis of pseudomembranous cystitis was confirmed through ultrasonographic and histopathological examination. This case suggests that pseudomembranous cystitis can occur without the typical septal structures, complicating diagnosis, and that acute anemia could potentially result from the rapid detachment of the bladder mucosa. Frequent ultrasonographic monitoring is recommended for cats with urinary retention, and early surgical intervention should be considered in cases where rapid mucosal detachment is observed, given the potential risk of acute anemia.