home Audience 1 Treatment of urolithiasis in cats. Urolithiasis in cats: symptoms, treatment and effective prevention. More severe symptoms

Treatment of urolithiasis in cats. Urolithiasis in cats: symptoms, treatment and effective prevention. More severe symptoms

Urolithiasis (UCD) – terrible diagnosis, frightening owners to the core. Three ominous letters from the veterinarian’s mouth sound like a sentence. And indeed, the ICD is not a gift at all. This is a formidable enemy, deadly to pet. However, when the right approach he can be defeated.

Urolithiasis or urolithiasis – chronic condition, characterized by the formation of salt deposits in the kidneys, bladder and urinary ducts. The movement of stones with urine flow leads to obstruction - blockage of the urinary ducts. The accumulation of fluid in the bladder leads to general intoxication. If you don't give the animal emergency assistance, death is almost inevitable.

Uroliths (“stones” and “sand”) differ in chemical composition. In cats, in 80% of cases, phosphate/ammonium/magnesium is formed. Other uroliths: ammonium urate, calcium oxalate, cystines. For treatment to be effective, the doctor must determine the type of deposits.

Reasons for the appearance of ICD

It is believed that cats are less susceptible to ICD than cats. Unsterilized cats develop urolithiasis at the same rate as sterilized animals. Urolithiasis is no more common in neutered cats than in non-sterile animals. However, castration in early age(up to 6 months) can lead to underdevelopment of the urethra. If such a cat gets urolithiasis, the disease will be more severe, since the narrow lumen of the urethra becomes clogged with deposits more quickly.

There are a number of factors that serve as a catalyst for the onset of the disease:

poor nutrition, in particular an excess of minerals in the diet. Frequent feeding of fish fatty foods, cheap food (no matter dry or canned) is a direct path to ICD. Dry food, balanced in composition, is absolutely safe;

mixed food (“natural” plus industrial food). Alternating morning-evening or afternoon-afternoon, mixing natural products And industrial feed in one feeding leads to metabolic disorders. And urolithiasis occurs precisely “thanks to” metabolic disorders;

insufficient fluid intake or drinking poor-quality water (from the tap);

hereditary predisposition;

inactivity, obesity;

congenital pathologies genitourinary system;

infectious diseases, staphylococci;

digestive tract dysfunction.

Read also: Vasculitis in cats: causes, types and methods of treatment

Symptoms

The first signs of the disease are subtle to the owner: the pet becomes less active, discomfort appears during urination, and appetite worsens. At this stage, KSD can only be detected by examining urine.

As the disease progresses, the pet’s condition worsens, there are more and more stones, they move along the urinary ducts, eventually closing the lumen completely or partially. During this period, symptoms become obvious:

tight, painful stomach;

obsession (the cat persistently fawns over the owner, constantly meows, trying to attract attention);

sharp pain when urinating (the pet meows while sitting on the tray);

frequent urges (the cat runs to the toilet ten times a day, but keeps asking and asking, scratches the door, protests when the owner closes the door to the toilet);

urination in the wrong place, sometimes demonstrative (ideally well-mannered pet can climb onto the table and write right in front of the stunned owner’s face - another way to attract attention);

blood in the urine (the urine becomes pinkish rather than yellowish as usual).

A well-groomed and properly fed cat that is under the constant supervision of a veterinarian is usually healthy. But just like humans and all other living beings, cats are susceptible various diseases. Of course, give comprehensive information about everyone cat diseases impossible, but cat owners need to know the main signs, features of the manifestation and treatment of at least the most common diseases in this type of animal.

From 1 to 13.5% of cats suffer from urolithiasis. This is one of the diseases of cats, which is characterized by very significant differences in views on the etiology and causes of occurrence. Urolithiasis is one of the most common pathologies observed in cats, accompanied by the formation of sand and stones in the bladder (not in the kidneys!). Because of anatomical features cats suffer from this disease much more often than cats. The disease usually first appears between the ages of 2 and 6 years.

Historical reference

For the first time about urolithiasis started talking in the 70s of the twentieth century. In 1973 a group of researchers proposed viral cause origin of urolithiasis. The role was assigned to calicivirus and herpesvirus infections of cats. This assumption has not been confirmed in numerous other studies. In the 70s, they began to admit that the use of dry food or mixing them could lead to urolithiasis. Scientists have proven that this is not so, although it has been established important role magnesium salts in the occurrence of urolithiasis.

It has now been established that insufficient water intake in the cat’s body and increased value Urine pH contributes to the formation of uroliths and the occurrence of urolithiasis.

Evolutionarily, cats have a weakened sense of thirst. Cats originated from Africa wild cat, and they have retained the body’s ability to produce high concentrations of urine, which, accordingly, can contribute to the formation of stones - struvites (the main uroliths in urolithiasis).

Urine and its role in the cat's body

Urine plays a fundamental role in the life of cats. Its main role is to remove residual waste products from the body and toxins that accumulate in the bloodstream. Urea is excreted in the urine (hence its name) and other products, for example, uric acid, creatinine, sodium, oxalates. In addition, urine plays a role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the excretion of water and minerals. Urine, produced in the kidneys as a result of filtering blood through the nephrons, flows down two ureters and accumulates in the bladder. When the animal feels the urge to urinate, urine is expelled through the urethra.

Unlike humans, cats have a bone in their penis. In case of urolithiasis, the bone of the penis serves as an obstacle to the removal of stones, and most often it is in this place that a blockage occurs urethra.

Causes

By and large, scientists still have not reliably determined what may be the cause of urolithiasis in cats. It is assumed that in most cases the formation of urinary stones is caused by a violation water-salt metabolism as a result of improper, monotonous feeding and vitamin deficiencies. There is also an opinion that constant feeding with dry commercial food is one of the leading factors that leads to the formation of stones. And, often when examining animals, owners admit that they mostly, and often constantly, feed their pets with just such food. And, the latter are usually supersaturated with phosphates ( bone meal), the main substances contributing to the onset of the disease.

In addition to monotonous and improper feeding of concentrated feeds, it is worth highlighting other reasons that can directly or indirectly influence the formation of kidney stones and urinary tract:

microorganisms – staphylococci, streptococci, Proteus and others;
prolonged stagnation of urine - as a result, alkalization occurs, salt precipitation and the formation of stones;
medications, namely their uncontrolled and too frequent use;
polyhypovitaminosis – insufficient intake of vitamins into the body;
individual characteristics of the cat’s body;
climatic conditions (according to the same scientists, in Russia, for example, the disease most often occurs in the North Caucasus, the Urals, the Don, and the Volga. This is due to the characteristics of the soil, vegetation and water composition);
dysfunction endocrine organs – thyroid gland, gonads, etc.;
small diameter of the urethra, especially for castrated cats;
inflammatory processes in the renal pelvis, urinary tract, bladder.

Symptoms

The manifestation of the disease directly depends on where urinary stones, as well as on their size, surface nature and mobility. The main signs of urolithiasis in cats include:

pain when urinating, which is manifested by the animal’s anxiety when visiting the toilet, tense posture, as well as plaintive sounds;
frequent urination;
hematuria, that is, the appearance of blood in the urine, while the urine turns red;
colic, which can be constant or manifest itself in sudden attacks (you can understand about colic by the cat’s restlessness, rushing around the room and meowing).

I would also like to draw attention to the fact that in case of blockage of the urinary tract with urinary stones, the disease may be accompanied by stagnation of urine. Sometimes an animal can die from uremia (poisoning of the body with products of stagnant urine). The number of stones can vary from one to several hundred. Stones injure the mucous membrane, resulting in inflammation that can cause diseases of the bladder, kidneys, and purulent urethritis. If the disease process is complicated by pyelitis or pyelonephritis, that is, inflammation of the kidneys, then signs characteristic of these diseases may appear:

temperature increase;
weakness, depression, which may give way to anxiety;
the appearance of pus in the urine, while it becomes cloudy and has an unpleasant odor.

If your cat has noticed at least one of the signs listed above, then it is advisable to contact a veterinarian. It is not possible to make a diagnosis yourself at home. IN veterinary clinic It is necessary to accurately describe the signs that were noticed, and also talk in detail about feeding. You will also need to submit your cat's urine to a laboratory. In some cases, they may suggest doing an ultrasound or x-ray.

The laboratory usually determines the presence of crystals of uric acid salts and epithelium in the urine renal pelvis, urinary cylinders. Based on laboratory data, ultrasound (X-ray) results, a final diagnosis of urolithiasis is made in a cat. However, urinary tract disease does not always indicate the presence of stones; they may have different reasons and differ for dogs and cats.
Diseases lower section urinary tract, in essence, can be explained by the following factors:

Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) infectious origin: When a large number of bacteria are found in the urine. Infectious cystitis is quite rare in cats.
Idiopathic cystitis: common in cats, among which it accounts for more than 60 percent of urinary tract diseases. Many factors are involved in the development of this disease, such as stress, living conditions (presence of several cats in the house, keeping them exclusively indoors, etc.). Surprisingly, nutrition plays a key role in the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Urinary stones (calculi), which in animals usually form in the bladder, and not at all in the kidneys, as in humans. Diet plays a major role in preventing relapses of this disease.
Tumors.

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to pass clinical analysis urine and only after its results, draw appropriate conclusions.

What is a urinary stone

Urinary stones themselves are formed from crystals present in the bladder. These same crystals, even if they do not form stones, can nevertheless cause Clinical signs urinary tract diseases or even obstruct the flow of urine, which poses a threat to the life of the animal.

Crystals form when the urine is saturated with minerals as a result of metabolic or feeding disorders, which can create favorable conditions for the formation of urinary stones. Most people are mistaken in believing that dry food contributes to the formation of urinary stones. After all, when correct selection high quality food, it helps protect the urinary tract.

Types of stones

Struvite stones: the most common are formed from phosphate, ammonium and magnesium ions. Often formed in dogs with any urinary tract infections, which complicates the course of the disease. In this case, both problems need to be treated simultaneously.

Calcium Oxalate Stones: also common in both dogs and cats.

Ammonium urate stones: are much less common and often accompany liver diseases.

Cystine stones: the most rare of all listed.

Stones can be of different sizes, single or multiple, of one or more types at the same time. For appointment proper treatment It is very important to determine the type of stones. Therefore, if your pet has had a stone removed surgically, take it for analysis, according to the results of which veterinarian will be able to select the appropriate treatment for the animal. Treatment will likely include antibiotics to fight a possible bladder infection, anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce urinary tract inflammation, or drugs to change the pH of the urine. With idiopathic cystitis, pheromones can enter, which will help the animal cope with stress.

Struvite stones can be dissolved by following special diets. Typically, such a diet contains a higher percentage of sodium, but its amount is safe for the health of the animal, which stimulates thirst and fluid intake, and therefore leads to the formation of less concentrated urine. In addition, the composition of such nutrition reduces the concentration of minerals in the urine and acidifies it. Cystine and ammonium urate stones can also be dissolved, but this requires a completely different diet that alkalinizes the urine. Calcium oxalate stones are insoluble. This means they will have to be removed surgically under anesthesia.

Urinary stones in cats can reach one centimeter in diameter. They are not formed under the influence of food, but food can reveal their presence.

Predisposition to disease

The breeds most commonly affected by oxalate build-up include:

Burmese;
Persian;
Russian blue;
Maine Coon;
Siamese

The concentration of urea in the animal’s urine directly depends on the protein content in the animal’s diet. Excessive protein content in cat food (beef - 16.7%, chicken - 19%, fish - 18.5%, cottage cheese - 16.7%), with impaired purine metabolism ( the final product purine metabolism is uric acid), leads to the development of uric acid urolithiasis in cats. A decrease in protein content has a positive effect, as it helps to reduce the amount of substrate favorable for the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Lactic acid diet and vegetarian diet contribute to the development of alkaline urolithiasis

The risk of developing urolithiasis in cats is higher:

with permanent home maintenance;
after castration, sterilization;
at overweight bodies;
with improper feeding;
in cats (cats suffer from urolithiasis much more often than cats);
in adult animals (struvite stones most often form in cats under 4 years of age, the peak formation of oxalate stones occurs between 10-15 years).

Prevention and treatment

Prevention comes down to improving the conditions for feeding and watering the cat. Be sure to take care of varied feeding. Try to avoid giving monotonous food and drinking hard water. Introduce vitamins into your pet's diet. Don't forget about periodic walks. You can also sometimes have your urine tested in a laboratory, where the sediment can be examined to identify the disease in the early stages.

Used to treat urolithiasis in cats symptomatic treatment, it is advisable to use painkillers and antispasmodics.

IN in rare cases urethral sounding or even surgical removal urinary stones.

The following treatment regimen is usually used:

To relieve inflammation, it is recommended to use antibiotic therapy;
It might not be a bad idea to give it to a cat medicinal herbs: decoction of bearberry leaves, parsley root;
use of disinfectants urinary system medications (furadonin, urosulfan, metronidazole);
for destruction, removal of stones, sand - uradon, cystone are prescribed internally;
relieving spasms, eliminating pain, colic - for this, no-shpu, analgin, baralgin or any other antispasmodic agents are administered intramuscularly;
displacement of the stone - usually a solution of novocaine is injected into the urethra and after a while they try to displace the stone into the bladder (this manipulation is carried out if the cat has a blockage of the urethra with urinary stones);
flushing the bladder with anti-inflammatory drugs (sodium chloride solution with an antibiotic).

Diet therapy

Struvite stones, can be dissolved using special diets from Royal Canin. and Hills. This diet contains more sodium (in a safe amount for the cat), which stimulates thirst and therefore water consumption, which ultimately leads to the production of more dilute urine. Also given food reduces the concentration of minerals (magnesium and phosphorus) in the urine and acidifies it.

For struvite stones, it is necessary to exclude:

foods high in calcium compounds;
milk;
cottage cheese;
egg (yolk);
curdled milk.

In use dietary rations it is necessary to take into account some nuances. The acidifying effect of feed on urine can be either excessive or insufficient. Therefore, repeated urine tests are required during treatment. All medicated foods have contraindications, so before giving them to your pets, you should consult a veterinarian. Manufacturers of cat food do not recommend combining ready-made dry or canned food with natural (homemade) food. It is strictly forbidden to mix ready-made food with porridge or other products in a cat’s feeding bowl. The cat should always have access to fresh, clean water (preferably filtered).

Uric acid and cystine stones can also be dissolved. To dissolve them, a special diet from Royal Canin or Hills is used, which alkalinizes the urine.

Unfortunately, calcium oxalate stones, insoluble. Therefore, they will have to be removed surgically under general anesthesia.

At oxalate stones The diet should limit the intake of:

oxalic acid;
liver;
kidney;
food, rich in calcium(milk, cheese, cottage cheese, etc.).

It is necessary that the following products be present in the diet:

IN as a last resort cystomy is performed. This is a surgical opening of the bladder cavity to remove stones. Such measures are taken if the stones reach a size that does not allow extraction using less radical methods.

During the treatment of urolithiasis, it is also necessary to correct and maintain normal work all systems of the body, namely: intensively combat intoxication and replenish the loss of blood and fluid, monitor the function of the kidneys and heart, and prevent the animal from hypothermia. This entire complex of problems is solved competently infusion therapy(droppers) in combination with additional research urine, blood and cardiac function.

Probably every cat owner has heard about such a disease as urolithiasis (UCD) . What is it and when should you start to be afraid of it?

Urolithiasis (urolithiasis) is a disease characterized by the formation of urinary stones or sand in the kidneys, bladder, or their retention in the lumen of the ureters and urethra.

And you should be afraid of it from the moment you decide to get a kitten, because according to statistics, up to 13.5% of cats are susceptible to this disease, i.e. approximately every seventh or eighth. ICD, along with viral infections, diseases cardiovascular systems s, tumors and traumatic lesions, is the main reason deaths cats and cats aged from 1 to 6 years.

Scary? But “who is forewarned is forearmed”!

Where does ICD come from?

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question. Possible factors for its occurrence are:

Genetic predisposition . Cats are descended from the African wild cat and retain the ability to easily maintain fluid balance in the body and a reduced sense of thirst. This leads to a high concentration of urine, which, in turn, contributes to the formation of stones.

Animal diet - food with low fluid intake, water and food with increased content minerals

Sedentary lifestyle

Improper metabolism - obesity

Infections And inflammatory processes in the urinary system, for example,

What types of stones are there?

Probably every veterinarian, like a geologist, has his own collection of stones. Their chemical composition very diverse: uric acid, urates, oxalates, carbonates, phosphates, cystine, xanthine, etc. The number of stones formed in the urinary organs ranges from one to one hundred or more. Their size also varies from millet grain to nut.

The most common in cats are:

Struvite(tripelphosphates) are solid or loose formations in the form of an elongated prism with diamond-shaped edges that form and grow in alkaline urine. Struvite makes up 80% of stones and is characteristic of cats from 1 to 6 years of age. The main reason is unbalanced nutrition, excess magnesium and phosphorus in the feed.

Oxalates(oxalic acid salts) are less common. Calcium oxalate is a rounded formation in the form of an open rose. It occurs mainly in cats over 7 years of age, most often in long-haired Burmese, Himalayan and Persian cats. The reason is an increase in calcium levels in the urine (urine acidification) due to improper feeding.

Symptoms of ICD

Symptoms of urolithiasis depend on the shape, size and location of the stones.

If the stones do not clog the lumens of the urethral canal and do not have sharp edges that scratch the mucous membrane, then the disease may not appear externally. There have been cases when animals were found to have stones more than two centimeters in diameter. During the entire period of formation of such a stone (which is about one and a half years), no signs of the disease were observed.

Urolithiasis in cats manifests itself only when there is difficulty urinating: the animal often sits on a potty or in the wrong place, strains, but urine is released weakly, drop by drop, often mixed with blood and fine sand. If the urethra is blocked by a plug, the bladder stretches, causing a constant urge to urinate. In this case, the animal’s condition noticeably worsens: blood vessels the bladder bursts, blood enters the urine, and vice versa, urine enters the blood, poisoning the body. The cat refuses food and water, moves little, and constantly tries to urinate. Over time, vomiting and convulsions appear as a sign of severe poisoning by urine components. Bladder rupture is also possible. This life-threatening condition requires immediate medical care.

With urinary retention, time is a decisive factor; every hour of delay leads to a deterioration in the animal’s condition. Therefore, please do not delay, do not wait for “everything to resolve itself,” but take your pet to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible!

Diagnosis of ICD

Urolithiasis occurs in both male and female cats, but clinically it is more often seen in cats due to anatomical structure- a narrower and more curved urethra. In cats, KSD is diagnosed when a stone forms in the bladder or kidney, which is accompanied by bleeding and is confirmed x-ray or ultrasound.

A diagnosis can only be made based on clinical signs, laboratory analysis urine, X-ray or ultrasound examination, since similar symptoms are inherent in other diseases. Thus, difficulty urinating or its absence may occur in the presence of a tumor, inflammatory swelling, and blood in the urine and pain may occur with acute cystitis etc.

Treatment of urolithiasis

Treatment of urolithiasis in cats and kittens comes down to the following steps:

1. Restoration of urine outflow. To do this, it is necessary to remove the blockage of the urethra with a catheter and rinse the lumen of the urethra antiseptic solution. This is usually done under general anesthesia. IN advanced cases an operation is performed (creating a female-type urethral opening) or cystotomy - abdominal surgery for removing large stones from the bladder.

2. Stabilization of the general condition. To restore the water-electrolyte balance and relieve intoxication, an intravenous drip is placed (from 1 to 5 days - depending on the condition of the animal) and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy(up to two weeks).

3. After stabilization of the condition, it is prescribed lifelong prevention: diet (medicinal food), herbal medicine (diuretics, etc.), as well as regular (every 3-6 months) diagnostics: urine analysis, ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder.

The doctor can also give recommendations on how to provide first aid for relapse of the disease. You can alleviate the animal’s condition with the help of an antispasmodic (no-spa, etc.), the drug “Cat Erwin”, as well as a special therapeutic diet, if there is an infection, a course of antibiotics (only with a doctor’s prescription).

Treatment is always selected individually, taking into account the diagnostic results, the sex and age of the animal, the complexity of the disease, the presence of other diseases, etc.

As a rule, complete recovery does not occur, but it is possible to control the course of the disease and prevent exacerbations. And then the animal can live a long and full life.

In case of insufficient control and severe cases Frequent blockages of the urethra occur with urinary retention. Every relapse makes it worse general state and destroys the kidneys, which can ultimately lead to kidney failure.

Prevention of ICD

The best approach to the problem of ICD is its prevention.

Most important factor wherein - .

When feeding natural food, you should avoid using foods rich in salts (fish, milk, various seafood, mineral supplements etc.), as well as hard drinking water. The diet must be enriched with vitamins.

It is widely believed that KSD occurs in cats as a result of feeding them dry food. This is wrong. On the contrary, ready-made food is a carefully balanced product, a combination nutrients, microelements and vitamins in which is calculated with maximum benefit for the health of the animal. In addition, it contains components that prevent urolithiasis. You just need to remember to give your pet fresh water and ensure that it is consumed sufficiently(!). Of course, all of the above applies only to feed high class(!). Economy class food (Kitekat, Darling, Whiskas, Katinka, Friskies, etc.) can really harm the health of the animal.

To prevent the formation and dissolution of stones existing in the bladder, the doctor prescribes a special dietary food . The choice is made depending on the type of stones that caused the disease. Since struvite is formed in alkaline urine, and oxylates are formed in acidic urine, normalizing the pH of urine leads to a slowdown in the formation of crystals and their dissolution. The action of medicinal foods is based on the control of urine acidity (Royal Canin Urinary S/O, Hill’s C/D, Hill’s S/D, Purina UR).

The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and urethra. Under the expression “diseases of the lower urinary tract"usually refers to a wide range of diseases of the urinary system.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) was formerly called feline urological syndrome (FUT). This is a general term that describes various problems related to the lower urinary tract, including cystitis and blockages (stones or urethral mucus conglomerates).

LULC, unfortunately, is a common disease in cats, regardless of age and gender, and it is important to quickly and promptly recognize the signs of urolithiasis.

In this article we will look at such important questions How:

SYMPTOMS OF URINARY TRACT DISEASES

increase or decrease in the volume of urine excreted,
urinating outside the cat litter box,
frequent visits to the litter box,
screaming or spasms during urination,
inability to urinate
change in the color and odor of urine,
incontinence,
frequent licking of the genitals,
pain in the abdomen, bloating,
loss of appetite and weight loss,
depressed state
anxiety and nervousness,
smell of ammonia from the mouth,
vomit,
Constant meowing or screaming.

REASONS FOR FORMATION OF STONES (uroliths and struvites)

One of the causes of blockages that accompany lower urinary tract disease in cats may be the formation of uroliths (crystals that harden to a stone-like state). Used to be cats suffered mainly from struvite formation. Struvite are crystals of magnesium ammonium phosphate. The formation of these crystals is believed to be influenced by the acid-base balance of the urine.

Pet food manufacturers have responded to this information by producing foods that help increase urine acidity and contain reduced amounts of magnesium salts. Unfortunately, the offset acid-base balance to the acidic side, leading to a reduced risk of struvite formation, increases the likelihood of other problems. For example, a diet that increases urine acidity is contraindicated in cats with a tendency to form calcium oxalate crystals (and there are more and more of these cats lately). Therefore, in each individual case it is necessary to consult a veterinarian. Completely different diseases can be behind the same symptoms.

Males more often than females suffer from the formation of urethral mucous conglomerates. Urethral mucous conglomerates are a soft, sand-like mass consisting of crystal fragments and mucus. Such conglomerates accumulate in the urethra, which, in the absence of veterinary care, leads to blockage of the urethral opening. The cat is thus unable to urinate and the urine accumulates in the bladder. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS; if measures are not taken, the cat may die. Don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Death from urethral blockage can occur within hours. You should not mistakenly assume that your cat is constipated and try to help with laxatives.

TREATMENT OF URINOLOGICAL DISEASE IN CATS

At the clinic, your veterinarian will first empty your cat's bladder. Most often, a needle is inserted through the skin into the bladder and the urine is sucked out with a syringe. In some cases, a cat's urethra can be cleared of mucus conglomerate under moderate anesthesia. A catheter is then inserted into the urethra to prevent new blockages. In case of multiple relapses, an operation called perineal urethrostomy is sometimes resorted to. During such an operation, the narrow part urethra and creates a wider urethral opening. Surgery carries serious risks and is usually used as a last resort.

IN long term treatment of FNMPC involves feeding the cat with products that the veterinarian will recommend, in accordance with individual characteristics your pet.

Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat associated bladder inflammation (cystitis). The cat remains in the hospital until full recovery normal, independent urination.

After hospitalization, the cat is prescribed therapeutic diet on average for 6-9 months.

Hill's Felini c/d medicinal dietary food is more often recommended, which helps dissolve stones (struvite) in the bladder. As practice shows, following all the veterinarian's recommendations, the cat becomes much better in the first 5-7 days. But it is important to remember that You cannot feed your cat medicated food all the time., because it contains a large amount table salt which is harmful to the animal.

PREVENTION OF DISEASE

If the cat has been healthy for 6-9 months, you can switch to dietary food, for example, Hill's Science Diet Felini with a moderate content of magnesium salts or to a combination diet of dietary food that acidifies urine. You should also do a urine test every six months.

Besides, to prevent infection, you should follow the following instructions :

Feed your cat high-quality, premium food. If your veterinarian has recommended a specific diet for your cat, do not deviate from his recommendations and do not feed your cat table scraps.
Place a sufficient number of cat litter boxes in the house in places where the cat can easily get into.
Keep the trays clean.
Make sure your cat always has clean, fresh water. Every day, before filling the bowl with water, wash it. If your cat eats only dry food, make sure she drinks enough water.
Provide your cat physical exercise, play with your pet daily, watch your weight.
Try to make sure that the cat does not get into stressful situations.
Inspect your cat's litter box every day to know what is normal for your cat to produce.
At the first sign possible illness urinary tract, take your cat to the veterinarian.

If, even after treatment, the cat experiences a relapse (resumption) of the disease, it is necessary to carry out a complete clinical examination animal to rule out bladder stones or other urinary tract disorders such as pyelonephritis.

Below you can watch a video in which a veterinarian from the Odessa clinic “Aibolit” talks about the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis in cats and dogs.

Pets delight us with their presence and bring a piece of comfort into our lives. Unfortunately, they sometimes get sick. In such cases, you can hear how their owners are surprised at how similar the disease is to some “human” diseases.

Let's look at one of the similar problems in more detail, learning more about what symptoms of urolithiasis appear in people and what the treatment boils down to.

Description of the disease

Urolithiasis (as this disease is scientifically called) affects the lower urinary tract. The mechanism of its appearance is simple: sand or urinary stones form in the kidneys or bladder. They “clog” the renal canals and pelvis and are deposited in the urethra. This process is always accompanied painful urination(dysuria) and obvious disturbances in the excretion of fluid from the body. Another feature is increased frequency of urges; their appearance should alert you.

The circulation of deposits in the form of salt or stones can occur with complications. This applies to abundant blood “inserts” in the urine (hematuria). They are visible if the crystals scratch the excretory path as they pass.

Important! The interaction of blood and urine causes severe intoxication. If you do not go to the clinic, the animal may die 3-4 days after it starts.

In the most severe cases, the urethra is simply blocked, which can even lead to death.

Veterinarians know that cats, due to their physiology, are more susceptible to the disease - they have a rather narrow urethral lumen (in cats it is three times wider). Also included in the “risk group” are:

Individuals aged 2–6 years.
Unsterilized cats are twice as likely to get the disease as males.
Representatives of longhairs. These are “Siberians”, white and cream “Persians”, as well as various kinds"exotics".
Pets with overweight. Their metabolism is simply impaired.
There is an opinion about almost universal manifestations of urolithiasis in timely neutered cats. This is not entirely true - the problem arises “like everyone else.” True, the risk increases if castration was carried out with violations.

Causes

The occurrence of the disease is associated with many factors. They can be divided into two groups.

The first includes external reasons, they relate to the conditions of detention:

Unbalanced diet. Vitamin deficiency (especially A) inhibits the epithelium of the genitourinary system. Proteins also influence fluid production. Both their shortage and excess are harmful here.
Climate. In hot weather or in an overheated home, urine begins to accumulate more actively - the primary liquid is not able to “filter out” normally.

Did you know? American Jack Hetherington brought to life the phrase “scientist cat” in 1975. Having written a voluminous article on cryogenics, the scientist was faced with the problem of publication, and solved it by indicating his cat Chester as a co-author, giving him a “human” pseudonym. The deception was revealed only three years later.

Environment. Yes, and it has weight. A simple chain: water saturated with salts and other compounds can enter the taps, which reduces its acidity. Boiling is of little use, and the cat drinks water that is harmful to its body.

Group internal factors are more extensive:

Anatomical features. Suffered injuries and the presence of pathologies immediately affect the genitourinary system.
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Malfunctions of the stomach and intestinal tracts affect acid balance body. The calcium that does not come out from there becomes “cement” for stones and sand.
Hormonal imbalances due to unstable blood composition. There may be much more calcium there than normal.
Action of viruses and microbes. This is true for active animals that spend a lot of time outside.
Let's not forget about genetic predisposition. Its degree depends not only on the health of previous generations, but also on the health itself.

Important! Food with big amount additives and dyes provoke the appearance of stones. In addition, animals are very sensitive to its quality.

The listed problems can “accumulate” over months and years, sometimes unnoticed by the owner. Therefore, it is so important to recognize the very first manifestations of urolithiasis.

First signs and symptoms

Identify signs of dangerous urolithiasis on different stages With a cat it’s quite simple - just take a closer look at his behavior.

The main signal is a change in posture when urinating. The animal becomes tense, bends its back and tilts its head, the front legs stand strictly vertical, while the hind legs kneecaps stick out forward. If all this is accompanied by screams and plaintive meows, there is a reason to visit the veterinarian.

Symptoms also indicate the extent of the disease. Yes, for primary period are characterized by:

Frequent and longer urination.
Liquid comes out in a thin stream.
Licking under the tail, it turns into a regular activity.
Minor blood fragments in the urine.
The cat's behavior itself changes. He becomes irritable and abrupt, while not particularly choosing a place for “need”.

To go to severe stages indicate:

Stable incontinence of urine passing with blood.
Too frequent urges.
Sudden weight loss against the background of complete depression of the pet.

Did you know? The purring of cats is not always quiet. In 2015, a cat named Merlin made a sound of 70 dB (which was immediately recorded in the book of records). This is comparable to speaking in a raised voice.

If the latent period of the disease was too long, it goes into critical form, which can be determined by:

Cramps.
Vomiting.
Loss of consciousness.
Complete renunciation of “small needs”.

All the symptoms mentioned indicate one thing: the help of a specialist is needed, and the sooner it is provided, the better for purring.

Diagnostics

Let us note right away that this is the lot of veterinarians.
Some people collect urine in jars, which they then expose to light in the hope of seeing obvious traces of sand or pieces of stones. This will only take away precious time.

Important! The accumulated urine begins to “distill” waste throughout the body. If it is noticeable that the cat begins to breathe heavily and the body temperature has dropped, then intoxication has already begun.

ICD is diagnosed comprehensively, using special equipment. It all starts with a simple thing:

Urine analysis for the presence of stones. It is done quickly, the conclusion can be issued within a couple of hours (the examination is done on a “watch” liquid).
Then an ultrasound of the bladder and excretory tract is performed.
Conventional plain x-ray.
Contrast x-ray (also known as urography) brings complete clarity. A special substance is injected into the animal’s vein, which helps to obtain a clearer picture.

All these procedures will not take much time. Upon completion, the veterinarian determines the nature of the disease. It may result in the appearance of soft mucoid plugs or the formation of full-fledged stones big size. Depending on this, treatment is prescribed.

Treatment of urolithiasis

Having full clinical picture, the doctor selects the appropriate treatment method. It traditionally comes down to two methods, which are worth talking about in more detail.

Conservative

Prescribed when small stones and minor deposits are detected. In the presence of chronic infectious diseases, only this method is used.

The entire course represents a whole range of therapeutic activities.
The following types of therapy are used:

Anti-inflammatory.
General strengthening.
Analgesic and antispasmodic.
Infusion

All of them are aimed at restoring urethral patency, dissolving a urinary clot and returning the body to normal functioning.

After examination, history and primary care The veterinarian prescribes medications, indicating the dose. A special diet is also prescribed, without which final recovery is impossible.

Did you know? Fans of English FC Sunderland believe that a black cat brings good luck. Back in 1937, one of the little spectators carried a kitten in his pocket to the final cup match. The team won, and since then the “blackie” has become almost a sacred animal for the club and its fans.

Urolithiasis in cats with this approach involves treatment with large quantity drugs. The main emphasis is on antispasmodics (No-spa, dretarin compounds) and painkillers.

Most often, prescriptions include medications such as:

U conservative method there is a clear plus - it is not too traumatic for the cat. But in case of complications, all the mentioned measures do not give the expected effect, and surgery comes into play.

Surgical

They resort to it if the stones cannot come out on their own. True, the surgeon may refuse to perform the operation if there are contraindications in the form of diseases of the liver, respiratory and cardiovascular systems in any form.

The nature of the stones also plays a role. While urate and phosphate crystals can still be “drained” into the catheter, calcium-saturated oxalates will have to be literally cut out.

This intervention is performed using anesthesia. Most easy way comes down to inserting a catheter through the genital organ. This step improves urine circulation.

In case of relapse, they act more radically - a new opening is made above the S-shaped bend of the urethra. This is done (if the cat has not been neutered).
A full-fledged operation is more complicated. The finally blocked urethra is brought out onto the scrotum, which is also trimmed for better urination. The cat is having his “dignity” amputated.

Important! A bubble stretched under the weight of deposits may burst over time. Destruction of blood vessels only accelerates this process, so entrust the treatment to professionals.

During the manipulations, the doctor evaluates the deposits, and Kotevin is used to wash them.

Of course, such actions greatly weaken the pet. Mildronate or Carboxylase are suitable to support heart function.

During the first week after surgery, the animal should be regularly shown to a specialist, who can adjust the rehabilitation as it recovers.

Features of cat care

After visiting the clinic begins home treatment. Everything is simple here - timely taking prescribed medications and following a “therapeutic” diet.

The main thing in restoring the body remains proper nutrition. In the case of ICD, its main rule will be to avoid calcium-rich foods. Milk, cottage cheese and homemade eggs are excluded from the “menu”.

When selecting products, it is worth taking into account the character of the “pebble” and its nature. For example, after removing phosphate crystals (struvite) in the diet include beef, liver, boiled veal, rice and oatmeal. Issued and ready-made feed brands Eukanuba and .

For a striped one that has undergone removal oxalates, the diet will be stricter - meat consumption is reduced to a minimum (and in some cases completely prohibited). It is replaced by rice, beets and cauliflower.

Fish is given no more than once a week. It is clear that not everyone will be willing to accept such unusual food. Then the same food helps out.

Did you know? Lazy-looking cats have repeatedly saved their owners. One such case occurred in 2012, when a pet named Pudding saved his owner from a diabetic crisis.-Noticing something was wrong, he began to bite her and hit her vigorously with his paw. Moreover, he was not too lazy to run into the next room and wake up his sleeping son.

There is one more important point. Recovery takes a very long time, and nutrition changes completely for life. Therefore, avoid sudden transitions and overfeeding. Don’t forget about special preventative ones, which are used every 3-4 months.

Preventive measures

In order not to condemn the “fluffy” to such discomfort and restrictions, please note preventive measures. Prevention of urolithiasis in different cats begins from an early age.

It includes the following factors:

Balanced diet. This means changing your diet, giving up monotonous and salt-rich food (especially imported seafood).

Important! When choosing food, pay attention to the labeling-it indicates the use of such “feeding”. Without knowing such nuances, ask the seller about all the indices and letters indicated after the name.

Mandatory use of vitamins.
Using purified water.
Purchasing “fresh” and suitable food for your cat.
Periodic examinations and urine testing every 2-3 months.
Timely vaccinations.

Worried about the four-legged one, some do an ultrasound of the urinary tract once a quarter. It is useful because it allows you to see the “earliest” sand.

We learned why urolithiasis occurs in cats, what its symptoms are and how treatment is carried out with further care at home. We hope you find this information useful. Health to you and your “mustachioed and striped” friends!