Feline stone disease (urolithiasis) is a fairly common disease of the urinary system in which stones (uroliths) form in the bladder or urinary tract of cats. They can cause pain, difficulty urinating, and dangerous complications such as urinary tract obstruction, especially in males. In this article we will cover everything related to feline gallstones, from nutrition to medications.
Types of feline stone disease
Several types of uroliths usually form in the urinary tract of cats:
- Struvite stones. These are the most common stones consisting of magnesium and ammonium phosphate. They usually form in the alkaline environment of urine.
- Calcium oxalate stones. These stones usually form in acidic urine.
- Urate stones. Less common are stones that can form due to liver disease or a genetic predisposition in some breeds.
- Cystic and xanthic stones. Very rare, associated with metabolic disorders.
Symptoms of feline stone disease
Urinary stones in cats can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the size and location of the stones and whether they are blocking the urinary tract:
- Painful and frequent urination. A cat may go to the litter box frequently, but pass only small amounts of urine.
- Urinary incontinence. The cat may start urinating in inappropriate places.
- The cat urinates blood (hematuria). Urine may be pink or dark.
- Difficulty urinating. If stones are blocking the urinary tract, the cat may try to urinate but cannot. This is a medical emergency.
- Lethargy and loss of appetite. The cat may feel sick, eat little or even vomit.
If you notice that your cat has at least one of these symptoms, it is important to contact the veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
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What causes stone disease in cats?
Urinary stones in cats can have various causes:
- Nutrition. An incorrect or unbalanced diet of the cat (too much magnesium, calcium, phosphates and other minerals) can favor the formation of uroliths.
- Low water consumption. When cats drink little water, urine becomes concentrated, promoting the formation of crystals and uroliths.
- Urinary pH imbalance. Excessive acidity or alkalinity of urine contributes to the formation of different types of stones. Urine pH can change due to an unbalanced diet, infections, etc.
- Urinary tract infections. The bacteria can cause inflammation of the bladder (cystitis), which can lead to the formation of uroliths.
- Genetics. Some cat breeds, such as Persians or British Shorthairs, are prone to this disease.
- Obesity and low physical activity. There may also be contributing factors.
In Vilnius you can visit the veterinary clinic «Begemotas», where experienced specialists will take care of the health of your pet. Timely treatment will help prevent dangerous complications and ensure the well-being of your cat
What are the treatment options for feline gallstones?
Treatment depends on the type, size and health of the cat:
1. Medical treatment. Some types of stones, such as struvite stones, can be dissolved with medications and special diets that regulate the pH of the urine. Medicines can help reduce pain and inflammation (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
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2. Catheterization. If the urinary tract is blocked, your vet may perform a catheterization to remove excess urine and restore urinary flow.
3. Surgery. When the stones are too large or medical treatment doesn’t help, surgery (cystotomy) may be needed to remove the stones.
4. Urethrostomy. If a cat suffers from recurrent urinary tract obstructions, a urethrostomy, which creates a new opening for the urinary tract, may be needed.
The veterinarian selects a treatment plan for each case, taking into account the individual condition of the cat, the course of the disease and the type of stones.
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After identifying the causes of the problem and performing the necessary tests, the specialist can prescribe medical treatment, catheterization or even surgery if the stones are large or cause blockage of the urinary tract.
Your doctor will also recommend a special diet to help prevent the disease from recurring. In this way, the treatment plan is individually tailored to each cat to ensure the best results and recovery of the animal.
Medicines for cats against stone disease
For cats there are medicines for stone disease they are prescribed only by a veterinarian who evaluates the animal’s condition and adapts the treatment to the individual situation.
Based on the test results and the type of stones found, the veterinarian selects the appropriate medications, such as drugs that can help dissolve stones or regulate the pH of the urine.
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Because the wrong medication can be harmful, only a veterinarian can safely and effectively determine the right treatment plan for your pet
Various drugs can be used in the treatment of urolithiasis:
- Antibiotics. If you have a bacterial urinary tract infection.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). To reduce pain and suppress inflammation.
- Medicines to dissolve stones. For example, struvite stones can be dissolved by the use of drugs that change the pH of the urine (e.g., drugs that acidify the urine).
- Muscle relaxants. Sometimes used to relieve bladder spasms.
Cat food against stone disease. Special feed
In the case of urinary tract stones in cats, nutrition plays a very important role in both treating the disease and preventing its recurrence.
Some special feeds help control urine pH, mineral content and encourage increased water consumption.
- Cat food for struvite stone disease
- Foods that lower urine pH (acidify the urine), such as Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d. These foods limit magnesium, phosphates and other minerals that promote the formation of struvite.
- Cat food for stone disease caused by calcium oxalates
- Foods that keep urine slightly more alkaline and help reduce the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d. These feeds are low in oxalates and also limited in calcium.
- Cat food for stone disease should increase water intake
How to reduce the risk of stone disease? Prevention methods
To reduce the risk of urinary tract stones in cats, it is important to ensure that:
- Correct nutrition. Follow a balanced diet low in minerals.
- High fluid intake. Cats need to drink a lot of water, so you need to encourage them to drink, for example by using drinking fountains or wet food.
- Regular examination by a veterinarian. Especially if the cat is prone to urinary tract problems.
Urinary stones in cats are a serious condition that requires proper care and treatment to prevent complications.
When to go to the veterinary clinic?
Urinary tract stones in cats are a complex condition that can be treated accurately diagnosed and properly treated only in a veterinary clinic.
Your veterinarian will perform necessary tests, such as urinalysis, X-rays, or ultrasound, to determine the type of stones and their location.
Treatment also depends on the veterinary specialist’s decisions, from prescribing medications to surgery or prescribing special foods.
If you have noticed problems with urination in your cat, we recommend that you register without delay for a visit to the veterinary clinic «Begemots», where specialists will provide all the necessary assistance to your pet. Early treatment can help prevent serious complications and keep your cat healthy!
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