Biopsy is the best means of diagnosis. Dr. Willard recommends biopsy of liver, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, mesenteric lymph nodes, and pancreas in any exploratory laparotomy on a cat with vague illness. Constant rate infusion of dopamine, which increases visceral profusion and has some anti-inflammatory effects, might be useful in treating pancreatitis. Dr. Dale Bjorling , University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, discussed idiopathic feline lower urinary tract disease and compared it to the human disease, interstitial cystitis. In addition, feline bladder biopsies are more likely to have increased numbers of mast cells, while the biopsies from people less frequently have increased numbers of mast cells.
Treatment is frustrating.
Amitriptyline and pentosanpolysulfate are the only medications consistently able to provide some relief. A dose has not yet been determined for the cat. Dr. Heidi Lobprise , of Dallas Dental Services, Dallas, TX, discussed dental disease in the geriatric cat. Dr. Lobprise uses fluoride varnish to treat the earliest stage one erosive lesions which only involve the enamel or cementum and are less than 0.5mm in depth. Deeper erosions usually require tooth extraction.