Innovative strategies to managing feline idiopathic cystitis and urethral obstruction

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) and urethral obstruction (UO) represent some of the most common and costly conditions in feline emergency medicine. With poorly understood pathophysiology and limited treatment options, current management strategies rely heavily on supportive care and carry high risks of recurrence, complications, and even euthanasia. This presentation explores unmet needs in the diagnosis and treatment of FIC and UO and describes ongoing efforts around the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this disease. Future opportunities, such as targeted drugs, stem cell therapy, and gene editing, are also considered as potential applications for this devastating disease.

• Understand the multifactorial pathophysiology of FIC and UO, including neurogenic inflammation, stress, and anatomic challenges.
• Review the limitations of current diagnostic and therapeutic options and their impact on long-term outcomes.
• Explore emerging diagnostic approaches that may identify novel therapeutic targets.
• Evaluate the rationale for localised versus systemic drug delivery in feline urinary disease.
• Consider future therapeutic opportunities, including regenerative and genomic approaches, for advancing feline urinary medicine.

Speakers

Samuel Stewart, DVM, DACVECC, CEO - Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital

Delivered by:

Presented at LVS 2025

Thursday, 20 November 2025, 17:00-17:50, Association Content