AffectedAnimals:
Dogs, cats, and other mammals

Overview:
There are many causes of cystitis, which is an inflammation of the urinary bladder.� More common causes include a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, bladder stones, polyps, tumors, and an anatomical defect called a diverticulum, which is a tiny pocket in the bladder wall that retains urine.

Cystitis causes a wide range of problems with urination.� Some dogs may strain to urinate, urinate more frequently, or become incontinent.� Blood also may appear in the urine.� Depending on the cause of the inflammation, the cystitis may be treated through a variety of methods.� Often, dogs will recover from the disease, but animals that develop cystitis because of a tumor carry a guarded prognosis.