Drops for cats with urolithiasis. Urolithiasis in cats: symptoms, treatment, prevention. How to prevent relapse of the disease
Cats, like all mammals, have many specific diseases. They are not unique, and can, for example, occur in dogs, but cats suffer from them most often. These include urolithiasis in cats. These animals (especially old ones) suffer from it “obscenely” often, and the consequences of the disease can be extremely serious.
The essence of the disease is the accumulation of stones in the organs of the urinary system. The general term used to refer to all such formations is “uroliths”. They can form in the kidneys, ureter, bladder or urethra. In the specialized literature they are referred to as nephroliths, ureterolites, urocystolites and uretroliths, respectively. Where do they come from, how does urolithiasis develop in cats? It's simple - minerals gradually precipitate from the urine.
The fact is that when urine contains certain elements, the latter tend to precipitate. When they stick together, they form crystalline formations. They are known by the common name "uroliths", which can be translated as " urinary stones» . They always include uric acid, and its volume fraction rarely exceeds 2-10% of the total weight of the stone. The rest of it is made up of mineral salts, and both the danger of urolith for the health of the animal and therapeutic methods effective in curing the disease largely depend on their properties.
It is believed that when urolithiasis in cats you can find about a dozen varieties of uroliths, formed by the same number of chemical compounds. Often, classification does not make much sense, since one “cobblestone” may contain several components, and it becomes impossible to unambiguously classify it as one or another type. The type of “minerals” in uroliths can be accurately determined using optical crystallography, infrared spectroscopy and/or radiography (but not always, and more on this below).
It is interesting that a change in the characteristics of urine often leads to the result when several completely different stones appear in the animal’s bladder. There are also frequent cases when on a section of urolith one can find up to a dozen or more (!) layers, each of which is formed by separate compounds.
The main types of stones found in urolithiasis in cats
Mechanisms of urolith formation
The mechanisms responsible for the formation of stones in the urinary system in cats have not yet been fully studied. However, three main operating factors are known:
- An inorganic or protein matrix is formed first- like a “skeleton” on which a urolith crystal will subsequently grow.
- Crystallization catalysts. Organic and inorganic compounds that can accelerate the process of precipitation of compounds dissolved in urine. The more there are and the more powerful they are, the faster the disease progresses.
- Crystallization factors. As in the previous case, these are complex organic and inorganic compounds that can accelerate or slow down the processes of precipitation and crystallization.
Regardless of all the factors described above, if the urine itself contains few elements that, at least theoretically, can precipitate, crystal formation will not occur. In the most unfavorable case for the animal, in such a situation a small amount of fine sand may form, which will not threaten the health of the pet. For “special” stones (for example, struvite, urate) there should be additional promoting conditions for formation (for example, suitable urine pH). Note that in sterilized cats, unlike castrated cats, the disease develops much less frequently. Im a change hormonal levels the body clearly benefits.
Predisposing factors
By the way, what are the causes of ICD? All this can be triggered by: a urinary tract infection, an unhealthy diet, intestinal diseases (don’t be surprised - in this case, something that should not normally be absorbed into the blood begins), a small daily volume of urine excreted, a low frequency of urination, and certain medications. It is known that in some animals there is genetic predisposition. By the way, it is strongly recommended to exclude them from the reproduction process.
The disease often develops from dry food: pets who sit on it regularly suffer from urolithiasis 70% more often than cats receiving normal nutrition. And one more thing. This pathology is very common in cats whose owners “pamper” their pet with raw fish: it contains a lot of calcium, phosphorus and other elements that can contribute to the development of urolithiasis.
Advice – if you are feeding a cat river fish(this applies to a lesser extent to sea water), be sure to scald it with boiling water!
In addition, urolithiasis is a common consequence of diseases gastrointestinal tract accompanied by poor absorption nutrients. In such cases, Tsamax is indicated, since this drug improves the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and microelements. Finally, let us once again emphasize the role infectious diseases. How do they even contribute to the formation of urolith crystals? It's simple: many bacteria secrete substances that promote “gluing” and sedimentation of compounds contained in urine and normal conditions not prone to forming “sedimentary rocks”.
About the role of calcium
It is known that in some intestinal diseases, as well as increased content of this element in food, develops pathological condition, known as hypercalcemia. For the development of urolithiasis, it is like a nutrient medium for champignons.
It seems like a logical proposal would be to limit the amount of calcium in food. But this is only theoretical. In practice, it has been repeatedly proven that limiting the consumption of this substance, on the contrary, sharply increases the likelihood of the occurrence of stones and sand. Why? As in the urinary tract, calcium and oxalic acid in the intestinal cavity can “combine”, resulting in the formation of an insoluble complex. With a sharp decrease in the level of calcium in food without an adequate reduction in oxalates, quite the expected happens: oxalic acid compounds will not become soluble, but will begin to enter the urine en masse. As a result, oxalates will form there, that is, stones based on salts of oxalic acid.
Thus, along with the calcium level, it is necessary to constantly control oxalic acid levels in the blood and plasma of a sick animal (this, by the way, is an excellent prevention of urolithiasis in cats). Unfortunately, only a few remember (or know) about this. And that’s why, by the way, many neutered cats develop urolithiasis literally within a couple of years: their body does not absorb calcium well, which is why the number of oxalic acid compounds in their body only increases. Thus, it is strongly not recommended to choose a diet for your sick pet on your own: you will probably “mess up”, and this may well cost the cat’s life.
Empirical clinical observations suggest that mild hypercalcemia may be present in approximately 1/3 of cats suffering from urolithiasis. And this phenomenon still requires study. Despite the serious increase in serum calcium levels, the functions parathyroid gland were not increased, the intensity of the synthesis of her hormones remained at the same level. It is assumed that the main cause of hypercalcemia in such cases may be primary hyperparathyroidism, hypervitaminosis vitamin D₃ And hypercalcemia developing against the background of cancerous lesions of the glands internal secretion. There are many possibilities, and finding out exactly what is going on with a cat is only possible in a well-equipped veterinary clinic.
Standard clinical picture
The characteristic symptoms associated with urolithiasis are extremely rare if there is only fine sand and small crystals in your pet's urinary tract. But this is not always the case: the exception is cases when the formation of uroliths occurs in lower sections urinary tract. They are constantly in motion (that is, during the act of urination), injuring and wounding the mucous membranes of the urinary tract. This leads to dysuria, hematuria and even stranguria (difficulty, painful urination).
Very often they do not show themselves at all nephroliths(stones located directly in the renal pelvis), but this is only true for those cases when the pathology is not accompanied by pyelonephritis, or when the stones do not “squeeze” into the urinary ducts. The latter situation, by the way, is especially difficult. It is accompanied by vomiting, and the development of lethargy and renal colic is likely. In the case when the stone is large enough and shows a tendency to grow, it begins to literally stretch and tear renal pelvis. The pain is so severe that the animal can die from painful shock. Even if it pain threshold turns out to be high, the pet still risks dying from severe internal bleeding.
The life expectancy of pets with this disease (without any treatment) drops by two to three times. A sick cat is unlikely to live beyond the age of five or six, unless she is very lucky. Timely initiation of therapy helps not only to maintain the quality of life, but also to significantly increase its duration.
The problem is that when unilateral urolith(when only one ureter is clogged) there may also be no signs for a long time. Until one of the kidneys, from which urine drainage is difficult, “blooms” with cysts. In addition, this condition is fraught with the development of nephrosclerosis, and with this pathology the organ completely ceases to perform its physiological function. Animals who develop hydronephrosis as a result of blockage of the urinary ducts are also “lucky”. In most cases, nothing can help their kidney; the organ has to be removed surgically. If you already have kidney problems, the appearance of stones in them further aggravates the pathological process.
And one more “unpleasant” feature of the kidneys: they contain millions of nephrons, and the organ ceases to function fully only in those cases when this enormous accumulation of cells remains in best case scenario 1/5 of their initial quantity. Simply put, clinical picture renal failure often becomes obvious only when there is nothing left of at least one kidney. But this is the best case scenario. Most often both fail. Thus, the clinical picture appears relatively quickly only in one of the following three cases:
- found themselves clogged both ureters. This situation is especially likely when many small stones form in the urinary system. Sooner or later, at least one of them will “climb” into the urethra.
- Already available chronic disease kidney(sometimes homeopathy helps to control it).
- TO pathological process added infection urinary organs.
Occlusion of the urethra by uroliths
This type of KSD is rare in cats, since in more than 80% of cases it develops in cats. This is due to the structural features of their genitourinary system, where there is an S-shaped bend of the urethra. Both small pebbles and large fractions of sand often get stuck in this very S. The pathology is extremely dangerous, occurs suddenly and often leads to death. To slow down the process and gain time to deliver the pet to the clinic, Papaverine is sometimes used: it lowers blood pressure, causing urine production to slow down.
First the animal can try to urinate frequently, As a result, he manages to squeeze out a thin stream of red urine. Sometimes drops begin to come out of the urethra pure blood. At the same time, the pet is far from calm: the cat meows terribly and hoarsely and even wheezes from severe pain. Complete blockade causes the development of uremia within 36–48 hours, which is accompanied by depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, coma. Death occurs within ~72 hours. So if you see similar signs in your pet, call your veterinarian immediately.
Complications of urolithiasis
If the bladder is not damaged, it will begin to swell when the ureters are blocked. He does this so “excitingly” that there are cases of organ rupture when trying to simply palpate it (iatrogenic rupture bladder). The problem is that in these cases you need differential diagnosis: clinical picture gap similar to renal colic, any internal bleeding etc. If you don't quickly help your pet, he will die with 100% probability. Another trouble is that in the first two to three hours after the rupture the cat will feel great: the bladder no longer hurts, and blood loss at this time has not yet reached critical levels. But the improvement does not last long: soon severe uremia develops (urine is perfectly absorbed through the peritoneum), seizures and arrhythmia occur, and it all ends in death.
Unfortunately, even partial blockage of the ureters is extremely dangerous: it can develop ascites: in cats with ICD, however, this happens quite rarely. The fact is that the vessels, compressed by the swollen bubble, begin to “poison”: blood plasma begins to ooze into the abdominal cavity. True, it rarely comes to full-blown ascites: the cat will die sooner either from painful shock, or from a rupture of one of the organs of the urinary system, or from bleeding.
Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis– other dangerous complications, for which struvite-type ICB is especially “famous”.
Diagnostic techniques
Cases where urethrolytes block only one ureter, and there are no symptoms in the background, on early stages can only be detected by chance during a routine veterinary examination.
If the pathology has gone far, and there are a lot of stones in the urinary organs (or few, but they are large), it is possible to determine urolithiasis by palpation of the walls of the bladder. Wall urinary organ at the same time, it will be thickened, and during palpation you will be able to feel a specific “crunching” sensation. Unfortunately, it is not possible to classify this technique as reliable, even if one wants to. Firstly, it is not always possible to palpate the bladder normally. In addition, the “crunching” can be explained by other reasons that have nothing to do with the presence of stones. If there is a suspicion of urolithiasis, the veterinarian can use a catheter: with its help, you can easily determine whether the lumen of the urinary canal is blocked by some foreign object. In addition, the catheter will help remove some sand (if there is any, of course).
Of course, this technique does not belong to the category of particularly accurate ones. Since in severe cases stones can appear in any part of the urinary system, complete X-ray her research. If there is at least one stone whose diameter reaches approximately 3 mm, it will be visible on the x-ray.
As we mentioned above, even X-ray examination does not guarantee 100% results: many types of stones are formed by minerals that are “transparent” to X-rays. They simply pass through the uroliths, resulting in x-rays no threatening signs remain. Much more reliable than ultrasound: Ultrasound cannot pass through solid obstacles in any case.
In addition, it is shown microscopic examination urine: if there are stones in the urinary system, their particles will definitely be in the field of view of the device. If an infectious etiology of the process is suspected, the resulting material must be sown on a nutrient medium.
First aid
Let us immediately warn you that even first aid can only be provided in a normal veterinary clinic, since you cannot do anything at home. So, if there is a suspicion that the urethra is blocked by urolith, it is necessary to remove this obstacle. Very in rare cases This can be done mechanically by gently massaging the area of the S-shaped bend (in males). But more often, the veterinarian uses a sterile catheter: it is inserted into the lumen of the urethra and the “cobblestone” is pushed back into the cavity of the bladder. In “advanced” clinics they can destroy stones with a laser.
Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Firstly, the stones are too big. Secondly, the risk is quite high mechanical damage urethra. And therefore it is used surgical treatment UCD in cats: the lumen of the urethra is opened with simultaneous evacuation of its “foreign” contents. It is strongly recommended that the recovered stones be sent to chemical research, since it will provide important data regarding the chemical nature of the urolith. This will help in further treatment and suitable diet for a pet.
Therapeutic techniques
Since urolithiasis is often caused by bacteria, sick pets are prescribed antibiotics wide range actions. Note that these drugs are prescribed only after testing the sensitivity of a particular strain (this information can only be obtained after growing a culture of the pathogen on nutrient media). Furadonin and other nitrofurans help quite well. True, they should not be given to cats for a long time, as they can seriously worsen their health. And giving pills to a cat is still “entertainment”.
Most strains of Staphylococcus and Proteus are sensitive to amoxicillin or ampicillin, which are predominantly excreted in the urine. Gentamicin works quite well and is lethal, but it is extremely contraindicated for cats. This drug can cause deafness and blindness, and (ironically) complete failure kidney
What other drugs can be used? Urease inhibitors are used, but the real need for them does not arise in all cases. However, with the bacterial nature of urolithiasis and parallel antibiotic therapy, this medicine will significantly reduce the rate of formation of new stones, as well as promote the resorption of existing uroliths. A good inhibitor is acetohydroxamic acid, which is used at a dosage of 12.5 mg/kg. The injections are given subcutaneously.
But it must be used extremely carefully, as it develops quickly in case of an overdose. hemolytic anemia. How is treatment for urolithiasis in cats monitored?
Control and duration of treatment
After ~4 weeks of treatment it is necessary to repeat the full medical examination, execute biochemical analysis blood, and also repeat x-rays abdominal cavity and/or ultrasound examination areas. It should be taken into account that with a pronounced degree of hypoalbuminemia ( reduced content protein in plasma), the prescription of inhibitors and some other drugs should be suspended. If the dynamics of treatment are positive, tests should reveal approximately the following: pH factor of urine<6.5, удельная масса мочи <1.025, мочевина сыворотки <10 мг/д³ (это, кстати, хороший тест на мочекаменную болезнь). При рентгенографии выявленные в прошлом камни должны или оставаться того же размера, или же уменьшаться. В противном случае динамику следует признать сомнительной или неблагоприятной.
Testing is carried out every four weeks until the stones completely disappear. This process can take as long as 20 weeks. But! If positive dynamics are not observed after eight weeks of constant therapy, treatment at home should be considered ineffective: only surgical intervention will help. However, it must be taken into account that uroliths located directly in the kidneys disintegrate rather slowly.
It is believed that the probability relapse is about 20-25%. In many ways, this frequency of re-development of the disease is facilitated by the difficulty of completely removing all stones from the organs of the urinary system, even in the case of surgical intervention. Because of this, after surgery, the pet is given medications to help dissolve uroliths for at least four weeks.
And one more thing. Do not try to treat with folk remedies: in mild cases they may help, but in the very early stages it is difficult to identify the disease even in the clinic. That is, in situations where the clinical signs of the disease become obvious, you won’t be able to do anything with “poultices”, but you will delay time and, possibly, deprive your pet of the last chance for recovery.
Diet therapy
If the animal's condition is relatively stable, special feeding may be used. Its goal is to reduce urine pH to<6. Сегодня, кстати, выпускается немало коммерческих кормов (о некоторых из них мы напишем ниже), помогающих быстро решить эту задачу. Нужно снизить ежедневное потребление protein, phosphates, magnesium and sodium. If everything is done correctly, the daily reproduction of urea will sharply decrease, but urine production, on the contrary, will increase. As a result, fine sand and stones will simply be washed out of the urinary system or (over time) dissolved.
There is one “subtlety”. During this time, your cat should not eat anything other than the diet prescribed by your veterinarian. Otherwise, no positive effect will be achieved.
To make your pet’s life more “colorful” and not starve him, you can use any medicinal food from Royal Canin, Purina and others like them.
Such diets are developed specifically for weakened animals and are recommended for use during the period of rehabilitation after serious illnesses, as well as for feeding pets with urolithiasis.
To ensure nutritional appeal for cats with weakened immune systems, when developing food, the taste characteristics of these animals were taken into account; the food is saturated with flavoring compounds that help awaken the pet’s appetite. The products contain easily digestible oligosaccharides and fats. The high nutritional value that they possess allows you to give the animal a smaller amount of feed, but at the same time fully provide its daily need for nutrients, micro and macroelements, and vitamins.
In addition to simple oligosaccharides, beet pulp is used in the production of the product. It is a source of complex carbohydrates and fiber that stimulate intestinal peristaltic activity. What if you don’t have the opportunity to give your pet something similar?
"Home Cooking"
It is necessary to limit the intake of proteins, calcium and oxalic acid. Completely from the pet's diet exclude dairy products. Source of protein - boiled chicken (occasionally), legumes. It is recommended to give your cat cabbage boiled in meat broth and pureed.
If you have the opportunity to occasionally feed your pet with specialized medicinal food, follow a simple rule: should always (!) be given separately from regular food without allowing these products to be mixed.
Urolithiasis has recently become widespread among domestic cats. Timely diagnosis of the disease plays an important role in the prognosis and treatment of a pet. Modern veterinary medicine has an impressive arsenal of means for conservative treatment of pathology, so there are quite a lot of options for treating urolithiasis in cats. And they are selected depending on the individual characteristics of the animal’s body, the state of development of the pathology and the factors that provoked its onset. Surgical methods for removing formed stones are often used.
Read in this article
Symptoms and diagnostic methods
KSD in cats is a multifactorial metabolic pathology, accompanied by the formation of stones (stones, uroliths) of various mineral compositions in the kidneys or bladder, leading to disruption of the natural outflow of urine. Urolithiasis most often affects older cats, as well as cats, including neutered ones, due to the structural features of the urinary system.
The way urolithiasis manifests itself in cats is influenced by many factors: the stage of development of the pathological process, the type of stones, their location and quantity, age and individual characteristics of the animal. Symptoms that the owner needs to pay attention to:
- Decreased appetite, lethargy, dull coat. The pet becomes detached, sleeps a lot, plays and moves little. The cat hides in secluded places, is apathetic.
- Frequent visits to the litter box, small portions of urine. The animal literally squeezes out urine drop by drop.
- Restless behavior when urinating. The cat may meow, scream pitifully, strain very much, and take an unnatural position in the litter box.
- Urination may occur outside the litter box.
- Urine is red or brown.
- When palpating the abdomen, it is not soft, as usual, but hard and painful.
In the later stages of the disease, stones can completely block the ureters, leading to retention and fullness of the bladder. If urination stops completely, then this condition is life-threatening for the pet. Therefore, every responsible owner should know how to understand that a cat has urolithiasis in the early stages of development of the disease.
Having discovered signs of the onset of the disease, it is necessary to submit the animal’s urine for examination to a veterinary clinic. Laboratory analysis of urine is one of the informative methods for diagnosing urolithiasis in cats. Biochemical analysis of urine determines the presence of oxalates, uric acid, urea, tripelphosphates, calcium, sodium, and magnesium ions. These indicators help to determine which stones (oxalates, struvites, cystines) are in the excretory system.
If urine tests show that the cat has kidney stones, what should you do? Further, general and biochemical blood tests can be prescribed to confirm the diagnosis of urolithiasis and to exclude other kidney pathologies. An important indicator in this case is creatinine.
One of the most reliable methods for determining urolithiasis in cats is ultrasound diagnostics of the kidneys and bladder. This painless and uncomplicated method allows you to identify not only large stones, their presence and size, but also fine sand in the kidneys and bladder. In some cases, an X-ray examination may be prescribed. In the arsenal of veterinarians there are also diagnostic methods such as intravenous excretory urography to identify X-ray negative uroliths. Computed tomography can also be used to make a diagnosis.
Treatment of urolithiasis
The choice of treatment methods for urolithiasis largely depends on the type and size of the stones, the stage of development of the disease, the age and general condition of the animal. In the presence of urinary sand, small round stones, struvite or urate stones, as well as the elderly age of the pet, complications of inflammatory processes, conservative treatment is used.
Drug treatment
If the diagnosis is confirmed, the next question that the veterinarian will have to decide is what to inject the cat with urolithiasis. Treatment of urolithiasis in cats includes the following steps:
- relieving pain in a pet;
- restoration of normal urine flow;
- elimination of dehydration and intoxication;
- anti-inflammatory therapy;
To relieve the pain syndrome accompanying an attack, the animal must be prescribed antispasmodic drugs: “No-shpu”, “Spazgan”, “Papaverine”. Painkillers used include Novocaine, Lidocaine, and Baralgin. In severe cases, in a clinical setting, the pet is given a novocaine blockade in the lumbar region.
If the cat does not pass urine, a veterinarian will perform a catheterization. The manipulation requires general anesthesia and is carried out in a specialized institution. After installing a catheter and draining urine, if sand is present, the bladder is washed with special solutions. If for some reason the blockage of the ureters cannot be eliminated, then cystocentesis (bladder puncture) is resorted to.
To relieve and prevent inflammation, the animal is given antibacterial therapy. Broad-spectrum drugs are used as antimicrobial agents: Cefazolin, Cobactan, Ceftiofur, Furagin, Cefadroxil and others.
“Cyston” and “Urodan” have nephrolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. If urine is detected in the blood, the pet is prescribed hemostatic drugs, for example, “Ditsinon”, “Vikasol”.
In order to maintain kidney function, Cantaren is prescribed, which activates reparative processes in the kidneys. For symptoms of dehydration and the development of renal failure, the animal is prescribed intravenous injections of glucose and sodium chloride solutions.
It is impossible to treat urolithiasis in cats without prescribing a diet. In each specific case, the veterinarian recommends one or another therapeutic feeding regimen depending on the type of stones. If struvite is detected, a diet aimed at acidifying urine is prescribed. Avoid foods rich in calcium. With oxalate stones, the intake of oxalic acid and calcium into the animal’s body is reduced. Most often, veterinary specialists prescribe specialized medicinal foods.
Surgical treatment
In the event that conservative treatment does not bring tangible results, with an advanced pathological process, the presence of large and insoluble oxalate stones, surgical treatment methods are resorted to. If there is a blockage in the urinary tract, then surgery is the only way to save the pet’s life.
If there are stones in the bladder, a cystotomy is performed to remove insoluble stones and create a urethrostomy in a wide part of the urethra. When the urethra is blocked in cats, a perineal cystotomy is performed. In this case, the penis is amputated.
Cystotomy In some cases, when stones are found in the ureters, the retropulsion method is used. Its essence is that, using a special catheter, the stone is washed into the bladder. Then it is emptied and removed through a cystotomy. The choice of urethrostomy or cystostomy method for stone removal usually depends on the size of the stones. Large stones require a more complex operation - cystostomy.
Forecast
The owner of a pet with urolithiasis should understand that this disease is a lifelong pathology. Options for the development of events depend on many factors. With timely treatment and early diagnosis, the prognosis is usually good. In the event that the treatment occurred in the later stages due to blockage of the ureters, the prognosis is cautious. If an animal is admitted to the clinic with urinary retention for more than 3 days, then the situation can be extremely difficult, and assumptions about development will be cautious and rather unfavorable.
Prevention of pathology
Many diseases are easier to prevent than to treat. This fully applies to urolithiasis. The owner should focus efforts on preventive measures rather than treating urolithiasis in cats. Experts advise adhering to the following recommendations:
- feed animals with high-quality premium and super-premium food;
- do not mix dry food and natural food;
- do not feed the cat food from the table;
- control your pet’s drinking regime;
- water must be filtered or boiled;
- not allow;
- maintain your pet's physical activity;
- prevent hypothermia and overheating of the animal;
- undergo ultrasound diagnostics of the kidneys and bladder every six months;
- submit your urine for analysis every 4 months.
Urolithiasis in domestic cats requires constant monitoring of the animal’s condition and regular treatment. Surgery only restores the normal flow of urine, but does not solve the problem in the future. Being a disease associated with metabolic disorders, the disease requires a review of the pet’s lifestyle and constant adjustments to the diet.
Related articles
Special food for urolithiasis for cats. ... You should not feed a cat with ICD fish and meat soups, canned and dry food that is not intended for the treatment of pathology.
Urolithiasis, or urolithiasis, affects cats of any age. It manifests itself in the formation of sand, and later stones in the bladder. Cats get sick about 3.5 times more often than cats. There is a genetic predisposition to urolithiasis. The breeds most often affected are:, especially cream, blue and white; exotic longhair and similar.
The disease appears suddenly. The animal is anxious when urinating and often licks the genitals. The amount of urine gradually decreases. The urine smells stronger than usual and becomes brown or dark. The abdomen is tense; when touched in the lower part, a dense formation the size of an egg or apple is felt. At this stage, he moves reluctantly and eats less than usual. The temperature rises to 39 degrees. After a few hours, the animal urinates anywhere. Within 6 hours, urine comes out drop by drop, with obvious traces of blood. Later, urination stops.
The animal refuses food, and after a few hours refuses water. Within 24 - 36 hours, the absorption of waste from urine into the cat’s body begins. The animal refuses food, and after a few hours, water. Sometimes he swallows, and viscous saliva may accumulate in the corners of his mouth. Breathing heavy. At this stage, the temperature drops to 37 degrees and below.
Urolithiasis in cats - causes and course
The main cause of urolithiasis in cats is considered to be metabolic disorders, primarily proteins. However, the formation of sand in the bladder is influenced by a system of reasons. The appearance of the disease is promoted by: improper feeding; chronic or previous diseases of the kidneys and bladder; diseases of the external genitalia; allergies; severe infections; increased ambient temperature; hypothermia; low mobility.
Contrary to popular belief, castration of cats does not affect the occurrence of urolithiasis.
Minerals react with waste products and products of protein metabolism. Regularly dying cells on the inner surface of the bladder become centers for the formation of crystals. The amount of sediment in the bladder increases, and the weight of the crystals increases. Sharp edges and constant weight irritate the walls of the bladder, trying to completely push out the accumulated sediment. The volume of the bladder decreases and the urge to urinate increases.
Crystals moving with urine scratch the excretory canal. Blood appears in the urine. After some time, the crystals accumulate in the S-shaped bend and clog the urethra, first partially and then completely.
In cats, the urethra has no bends and is wider than in cats. Therefore, complete blockage is less common in them.
Urine production in the kidneys continues. The bladder stretches, some of the blood vessels burst, and blood enters the urine. The absorption of water with dissolved waste begins. Internal poisoning of the body (intoxication) develops.
Without medical assistance, on the third, or less often the fourth, day, death occurs as a result of rupture of the bladder with bleeding, or poisoning by urine components absorbed into the blood.
Urolithiasis in cats - treatment
Integrated: combines medications and surgeries. A number of manipulations can be performed at home, but specific measures for an individual animal are prescribed by a doctor depending on the animal’s condition. The procedures are aimed at:
- restoration of urethral patency;
- shift in urine acidity;
- dissolution of urine sediment and removal from the body;
- elimination of intoxication;
- maintaining the functioning of the body's main systems;
- prevention of urolithiasis in the future.
The peculiarity of the excretory system of the kidneys plays a major role in the occurrence of urolithiasis. Restoration of urethral patency is carried out depending on the condition of the animal and the degree of blockage. Usually a catheter is inserted. In cats, a catheter is inserted through the penis. The manipulation is carried out with anesthesia, according to the rules of surgical operations. Additionally, anti-spasm medications are used, such as no-spa or drotaverine preparations.
If it is impossible to insert a catheter, a surgical operation is performed to remove stones and sand from the bladder. If during the operation it is not possible to restore the patency of the urethra, the penis is amputated and the urethra is removed into the scrotum. The latter is trimmed for ease of urination. Unneutered cats are sterilized during surgery.
The acidity of urine is shifted based on the analysis. The key points of urine testing are studying sediment and determining acidity. Examination of the sediment reveals the chemical type of crystals formed. The acidity level indicates the rate of formation and indicates the possibility of using drugs. As a rule, crystals of phosphates (phosphorus salts), urates (derivatives of uric acid) and oxalates (calcium salts) form in cats. Both medicinal foods (Hils and others) and medications, such as cystone, are used.
The dissolution of urine sediment and removal from the body combines medical procedures with diets. Medical procedures most often involve flushing the bladder. Special preparations are used (kotervin and others). To facilitate the dissolution of crystals and removal, tablets are prescribed, for example “healthy kidneys”.
Oxalates are completely insoluble. Surgery is required to remove them from the bladder.
Elimination of intoxication is carried out in two directions. The first is to facilitate liver function. They use drugs that bind toxins (glutargin, 5% glucose solution and others), as well as improve the functioning of liver cells (essentiale).
Maintaining the functioning of the body's main systems requires a set of measures. To stop bleeding in the bladder and urethra, etamsylate or dicinone is used. If vomiting occurs, metoclopramide is used to stop it. The heart often suffers as a result of intoxication. Depending on the condition of the animal, both drugs that support heart function (mildronate, prestarium, cocarboxylase) and stimulants (sulfocamphocaine) may be required.
Intensive treatment takes from several days to a week.
Prevention of urolithiasis is carried out for life. After all, a number of causes of the disease cannot be eliminated. In addition, the probability of recurrence of urolithiasis is about 80%. Then the rate of development of symptoms and serious condition is much higher than at the first appearance of urolithiasis.
The main means of prevention is diet. Animals after urolithiasis are allowed to be given fish once a week (for healthy animals - once every three days), meat and salt are limited. It is advisable to switch to dry or canned food. Once every 3 to 4 months, the animal should be given only special food designed to prevent urolithiasis. The duration of the diet is from two weeks to a month. Food is sold in pet stores. A urine test should be performed every 2 to 3 months. The main attention is paid to the study of sediment. If crystals are found in the sediment, medications to dissolve them and special food are prescribed.
Urolithiasis leaves a deep mark on the body of cats. If the animal is anxious, it urinates frequently. If the amount of urine decreases, your pet urgently needs help from a veterinarian.
- Treatment of urticaria
- Symptoms of urolithiasis in cats
- Reasons
- Diagnostics of microbial disease
- Maintenance treatment
- Prevention
1. Causes of the disease
2. Main signs and symptoms
3. Diagnostics
4. How to treat urolithiasis in cats
4.1. Diet therapy
4.2. Drug treatment
4.3. Catheterization
4.4. Surgical intervention
5. Disease prevention
6. Video: how urolithiasis manifests itself in cats
Urolithiasis in cats - general description
ICD Urolithiasis in cats (urolithiasis, lat. urolithiasis) is a chronic metabolic pathology that leads to damage to the urinary tract, in which the cat develops salt deposits in the form of stones or sand in the urinary system. Inflammation of the bladder and blockage of the urethra most often develop, and sand and stones may form in one or both kidneys, urinary ducts, or bladder.
The specific cause of the development of urolithiasis has not been determined, but there are many factors that may be involved in the disease process.
At the initial stage, the disease can occur secretly. As the disease progresses, owners most often notice changes in urination, frequent urges, and the appearance of blood in the urine.
Sand and stones cause mechanical damage, cause pain and inflammatory reactions.
The most severe condition is a situation in which sand or stone blocks the flow of urine in some part, this condition causes urinary retention, acute pain, kidney failure, intoxication, and urgent surgical assistance is required to save the animal’s life. Most often, catheterization of the bladder under anesthesia is necessary.
In case of complete blockage, the lack of emergency assistance always leads to death. On days 2-4, the bladder ruptures, urinary peritonitis and severe, painful death occur.
Due to anatomical features, males are more susceptible to this disease than females.
The peak incidence occurs between 2 and 6 years of age, but can occur from 6 months to old age.
Urolithiasis in cats is also called urolithiasis. ICD is often combined with feline urological syndrome.
Treatment
Urolithiasis is a very serious, severe polyetiological disease, therefore the treatment of urolithiasis in cats includes a complex set of therapeutic and preventive procedures. To eliminate symptoms, conservative and surgical treatment methods are used, which eliminate blockage of the urinary tract, but do not lead to a complete cure of the disease.
Conservative treatment, depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease, takes a long time, it is carried out before surgery and in the postoperative period.
Conservative treatment of urolithiasis begins when small stones and a small amount of sand are diagnosed, which can pass away spontaneously, and also if the urolith does not interfere with the outflow of urine. Conservative techniques are also continued after surgical removal of the urolith and in order to prevent relapses.
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 with an antiseptic solution. This is usually done under general anesthesia. In advanced cases, urethrostomy is performed (creating a female-type urethral opening) or cystotomy is an abdominal operation to remove large stones from the bladder.
2. Stabilization of the general condition. General therapy. Elimination of acute symptoms of inflammation.
Removal of general intoxication - subcutaneous, intravenous droppers.
Suppression of bacterial infection of primary or secondary inflammation - antibiotic therapy.
Normalization of urination - antispasmodic therapy, anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, neurological drugs.
During the treatment of urolithiasis, it is also necessary to correct and maintain the normal functioning of all body systems, namely: intensively combat intoxication and replenish the loss of blood and fluid, monitor the function of the kidneys and heart.
3. Long-term therapy and preventive measures.
Regular examinations.
Maintenance drug therapy.
Therapy is carried out for a long time of 1-6 months; if the tests are good, therapy can be stopped, but regular examinations can be repeated, first after a month, and then with gradually increasing intervals.
Important points:
- You cannot give a diuretic if there is no urination, this will worsen the cat’s condition.
- Animals with urolithiasis require both conservative and surgical treatment methods.
- The primary treatment measure for urolithiasis is to ensure adequate urine outflow and restore patency of the urethra.
- Failure to urinate for more than 3 days often results in death.
- However, surgical intervention relieves the animal only of the stone, but not of urolithiasis as a whole.
- Conservative treatment of urolithiasis requires a long time and must be carried out before surgery, during the postoperative period and for a long time after surgery.
- With urolithiasis, the kidneys can be severely damaged; it is necessary to monitor kidney function and use drugs that do not have a harmful effect on the kidneys.
Drugs used in the treatment of ICD in cats
Dietary feed:
We prescribe special medicinal foods to the animal: Canin c/d, Feline c/d, Hill's, Whiskas pH Control Diet, Pedigree Petfoods. Hills Prescription Diet Feline S/D and Eukanuba Struvite Urinary Formula will help with struvite uroliths. These foods help dissolve stones and remove them from the body. For oxalates, Hills Prescription Diet Feline X/D, Eukanuba Oxalate Urinary Formula is prescribed. If the disease is of a mixed type, Royal Canin Urinary S/O Feline is recommended.
decoctions of woolly erva, corn silk, bearberry leaves, biseptol, urosulfan, furadonin.
Urodane and cystone should be used to dissolve and remove uroliths and sand.
"Lincomycin" or antimicrobials from the cephalosporin group ("Kefzol", "Tseparin", etc.). Continue for 5-7 days, 0.2 g twice a day. Uroseptics are antibacterial drugs that act on the genitourinary system. Cats are prescribed “5-NOK”, “Palin”, “Furagin”
cantaren
Stop cystitis
Bio-suspension reduces crystallization due to its composition: lingonberry leaves, nettles, barberry, licorice root. By the way, this drug can also serve as a pain reliever.
Uro-ursi
A medicine that is often prescribed concomitantly with antibiotic therapy, because it contains benzoic acid, which enhances the effect of antibiotics.
Urotropin
The diuretic effect of "Urotropin" and its ability to increase the permeability of cell membranes accelerates the process of eliminating toxins.
Cystokur forte
The food additive reduces the acidity of the body and helps the cat recover faster after treatment.
Furinaid
Gel-like drops form a protective film on the bladder mucosa.
Ipaquitina
The components of this drug bind phosphates that the cat receives from food and reduces their availability.
Cantaren
The homeopathic remedy works as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and diuretic.
Kotervin
The aqueous extract of medicinal plants has salt-removing and stone-dissolving effects.
Nephrocat
Contains natural bee jelly and biologically active substances.
Renal Advance
The drug shows itself well in the later stages of the development of urolithiasis in cats, while it improves the functioning of the digestive system.
HIMALAYA Cyston
The Indian remedy copes well with cystitis and has proven to work well in combination with antibiotics.
Dexamethasone
This drug is often prescribed when there is persistent dysuria.
Nitroxoline
This synthetic agent has an antimicrobial effect.
Actovegin
Injections of this powerful drug activate cellular metabolism, which means metabolic processes are enhanced.
The main symptoms of urolithiasis in cats
- Violation of the act of urination. The pet, sitting on the tray, constantly meows or gets up several times without doing its “business”. There is a frequent urge to urinate.
- Blood in urine. Trauma to the urinary tract and inflammation develop, drops or blood clots appear in the urine, this is called hematuria.
- Deterioration of general condition. As pain intensifies and intoxication increases, cats become lethargic, appetite worsens, and vomiting may occur.
- If you notice the first signs of urolithiasis in cats, you should immediately show the animal to a veterinarian.
Signs of urolithiasis in cats in the first few days are mild, so owners may not immediately notice the malaise. In the early stages, urolithiasis can be diagnosed only by urine analysis. As the disease progresses, animals become lethargic, their activity decreases, their appetite worsens, and discomfort appears when urinating.
Every day the animal’s condition is rapidly deteriorating: the number of stones and sand in the kidneys and bladder increases, they move along the urinary ducts, which leads to partial or complete closure of their lumen. At this stage, the symptoms of urolithiasis in cats appear more clearly. Stagnation of urine leads to an increase in its concentration, promotes crystallization and increased formation of uroliths.
Animals become restless, constantly meow, trying to attract the owner’s attention, the abdomen greatly increases in volume, becomes elastic, and sharp, sharp pain sensations appear when urinating. The pet, sitting on the tray, constantly meows or gets up several times without doing its “business”. There is a frequent urge to urinate. Drops or blood clots appear in the urine, which indicates the development of hematuria. As a result of stagnation of urine, intoxication of the body occurs, which is accompanied by an increase or decrease in temperature, vomiting, and refusal to eat.
If you notice the first signs of urolithiasis in cats, you need to immediately show the animal to a veterinarian, since with timely diagnosis and treatment, you can prevent the disease from becoming chronic, which requires longer treatment.
There are several degrees of urolithiasis:
1. Subclinical urolithiasis. There may be no symptoms associated with the presence of uroliths in the urinary tract. Struvite, calcium oxalate and other calcium-containing uroliths are radioopaque and are visible on x-rays. A urine test may show elevated crystals and an abnormal urine pH. These uroliths are usually struvite and sometimes calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate stones often have a very rough surface and can cause mild to severe symptoms of urinary tract inflammation, while smooth struvite or cystine stones often cause no clinical symptoms at all. Nephroliths rarely cause clinical symptoms other than hematuria until they move into the ureter, causing obstruction (blockage) and hydronephrosis.
2. Mild symptoms of urolithiasis:
Slight increase in urinary frequency
Mild hematuria - blood staining
Slight increase in urination time
Slight discomfort during urination
Increased licking of the genitals
3. Severe symptoms:
Pollakiuria - cats almost never leave their toilet, dogs constantly leak drops of urine
Urinary tenesmus (to be distinguished from constipation)
Severe hematuria - obvious blood in the urine
Severe discomfort when urinating - vocalization and obvious pain
On palpation, the bladder is greatly distended
Polydipsia/polyuria in case of secondary renal failure
General depression and anorexia
4. Symptoms that threaten the life of the animal:
Anuria (lack of urination)
Weakness/collapse
Dehydration
On palpation, the bladder may not be found if it has burst or is anuric (otherwise it feels like a dense mass)
Uremic halitosis may be detected
Vomit
Convulsions
Coma
Causes of ICD in cats.
No specific cause of urolithiasis in cats has been identified at the moment, but a number of factors have been identified that may be involved in the occurrence and development of urolithiasis.
External and internal factors can contribute to the development of ICD. Due to their physiological characteristics, cats are more susceptible to urolithiasis than females, since in males the urethral lumen is three times narrower.
The presence of oxalates (oxalic acid salts) and phosphates (struvite) is most often diagnosed in the bladder.
For a long time it was believed that unsterilized animals are more likely to suffer from this disease, but recent studies refute this opinion.
The causes of urolithiasis in cats can be due to genetic predisposition, stress, a sedentary lifestyle that contributes to obesity, anatomical features (including the presence of congenital anomalies in the development of the genitourinary system), viral and infectious diseases. Cat urine is quite concentrated, and under unfavorable factors this aspect also contributes to the development of urolithiasis.
The development of KSD is promoted by an unbalanced diet, especially when feeding a pet with low-quality dry food, which contains a high percentage of salts, flavors, preservatives, and artificial colors.
Factors for the development of urolithiasis in cats may be the following:
1. Climatic factors and geochemical conditions. composition of drinking water and individual characteristics of the animal. At elevated temperatures, urine becomes more concentrated. If drinking water is oversaturated with lime salts, this leads to a decrease in its acidity.
2. violation of salt metabolism due to improper feeding. Eating disorders, unbalanced diet. For example, feeding an animal fish products. Violation of the ratio between acidic and basic feed equivalents. cat's diet (dairy and plant foods cause alkalization of urine, and meat foods, on the contrary, increase its acidity). Features of the diet - the concentration of carbamide depends on how much protein your cat consumes. Excessive protein content in the diet when purine metabolism is disrupted leads to the occurrence of urolithiasis.
3. Low fluid intake. By their nature, cats drink little, plus the lack of a sufficient amount of high-quality drinking water, especially when constantly feeding dry food���� �����m
4. Vitamin A hypovitaminosis. With insufficient vitamin intake, epithelial cells are more susceptible to negative effects.
5. Inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system caused by colds. The colonization of microorganisms such as staphylococci, streptococci, proteus in the bladder or kidneys of cats and dogs. injuries of the pelvic bones, inflammatory processes and neoplasms in the genitourinary organs.
6. Hormonal disorders. hyperparathyroidism. Excess parathyroid hormone can lead to increased calcium levels - not only in the blood, but also in the urine. And crystals of salts released from the bone tissue of the body are the building material for stones.
7. Digestive pathologies. Slowing metabolism. obesity, inactivity. dysfunction of the digestive tract (causes a change in the acid-base balance, and also provokes the removal of calcium from the body). Pathologies of the digestive system - gastritis, colitis and other gastrointestinal diseases, lead to a violation of the ratio of acid and alkali in the animal's body.
8. Stress factors. Idiopathic cystitis, urological syndrome. Changes in behavior Urolithiasis can occur with prolonged stagnation of urine, urinary retention, alkalization, precipitation of salts and the formation of stones. urinary retention due to dirty toilet tray.
9. Small diameter of the urethra in cats, especially castrated ones. Anatomical features of the structure. If the cat's urethral canal is S-shaped, salts settle in the bends of the excretory tract, and stones form. castration at an early age (up to 6 months) can lead to underdevelopment of the urethra. In cats, symptoms of urolithiasis appear 5 times more often than in cats. This is due to the fact that physiologically the diameter of the urethral lumen is three times smaller in cats than in cats. In addition, it is in cats that the urethra has a specific S-shaped bend (in cats it is straight). Because of this anatomical feature, cats are more likely to experience urinary obstruction syndrome than cats.
10. genetic predisposition, hereditary diseases (for example, enzymopathy, which is caused by the lack of enzymes responsible for metabolism in the cat’s body).
11. The likelihood of stones occurring is greatly influenced by magnesium metabolism.
Types of stones in urolithiasis
The chemical composition of stones that are present in the urinary tract of cats with urolithiasis is very diverse.
They contain urates, uric acid, carbonates and oxolates, xanthine and cystine, and phosphates.
The number of stones in the urinary organs can vary from one to one hundred pieces, from a millet grain to a large nut.
Tripelphosphates (struvites) are often found - these are loose, sometimes solid formations that have the shape of an elongated prism with diamond-shaped edges; they form and grow in an alkaline environment. Typically, struvite accounts for up to 80% of all stones found in cats between one and six years of age. The cause of struvite can be an unbalanced diet and an excess of phosphorus and magnesium.
Oxalic acid salts, or oxalates, are much less common. These are round-shaped formations, in the shape of an open rose. Oxalates are predominantly found in cats older than seven years of age, long-haired breeds, Persians and Himalayans. The reason for the formation of oxalates is the increased content of calcium in the urine, which causes acidification due to improper feeding of the animal.
How do stones form?
Urine contains chemical components from which urolith (urinary stone) is formed. At the same time, the increased concentration of these components makes it impossible to dissolve them, which contributes to the loss of crystals that collect in microstones.
- Abnormal pH (acidity) of urine, often alkaline.
- Rapid formation of crystals, which does not allow them to be washed out of the urinary tract with separated urine.
- The presence of a matrix or nucleus (cell remains, bacteria, foreign bodies) around which crystals form
- Pathogenic microflora predisposes to urolithiasis (insoluble mineral compounds are synthesized during the life of microorganisms)
Diagnostics
- Vivid clinical signs. The cat cannot pee normally or does not pee at all.
- Palpation of the bladder. Overcrowded, with a thickened wall, sometimes it is possible to feel one or more stones.
- Urine tests. Sand in the urine, signs of inflammation - blood and leukocytes.
- X-ray, ultrasound. Detection of large stones in the kidneys and bladder.
When making a diagnosis, anamnestic data on the cat’s behavior, palpation of the bladder, clinical signs of hematuria, pain and laboratory tests of urine, urine sediment, and the presence of microflora are taken into account.
Diagnosis of urolithiasis in cats is carried out based on pronounced clinical signs. In cats, when a stone forms in the kidney or bladder, the diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound and x-ray. During the examination, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests of urine and ultrasound, since in some cases other diseases (tumors, inflammatory edema, cystitis) may manifest themselves in a similar way.
Therapeutic nutrition for urolithiasis
Veterinarians prescribe different diets when oxalate stones are detected and when phosphate stones are detected.
What to feed a cat with oxalates
In case of oxalate stones, you need to monitor the intake of oxalic acid into the cat’s body. This means that you need to give your pet less offal (liver, kidneys), and offer less calcium-containing food (cheese, cottage cheese, milk).
But beets, cauliflower, rice are useful products in this case.
Ready-made food for cats with urolithiasis caused by oxalates:
Hill's Prescription Diet Feline X/D
Eukanuba Oxalate Urinary Formula
Royal Canin URINARY S/O LP34
Diet for struvite
With phosphate stones, it is important to convert the alkaline reaction of urine into acidic. Therefore, egg yolk, cheese, cottage cheese, and milk are prohibited. Recommended: egg white, oatmeal, rice, liver, beef, boiled veal.
Ready-made feed:
Hill's Prescription Diet Feline S/D
Hill's Prescription Diet C/D
Eukanuba Struvite Urinary Formula
IMPORTANT! All ready-made food is not equally suitable for everyone, so even ready-made food is prescribed by a veterinarian.
And one more thing. Don’t be under any illusions – your cat is sick. Even if doctors pulled him out of the acute phase, urolithiasis never goes away. But it may not manifest itself for a very long time (or even never again) if you understand that the diet is now a way of life for your animal and you also do not forget about regular medical examinations.
Preventative nutrition
What to do to never encounter such a problem as urolithiasis in a cat?
No one can guarantee that your animal will avoid urolithiasis (see the chapter above “Causes of urolithiasis in cats”). But you can do everything in your power to block this disease’s access to your pet. So, regarding nutrition:
Watch the amount you drink - there should be a lot of it
Monitor the quality of drinking - water should be purified and soft
Reduce calorie intake
Vitamins must be on the menu
If you practice feeding prepared foods, then choose diets specialized for castrated cats, sterilized cats, and diets designed for the prevention of urolithiasis.
Prevention of the development of urolithiasis
- After eliminating the signs of urolithiasis and stabilizing the condition, lifelong prevention is mandatory, which includes:
- Diet therapy (the doctor prescribes medicinal and therapeutic-and-prophylactic foods);
- Herbal medicine;
- Regular medical examination of animals (every 4-5 months you need to take urine and blood tests, and undergo an ultrasound of the genitourinary system every six months).
Nutrition of animals with urolithiasis
When preparing a diet for sick animals, the nature of the stones formed is taken into account. The diet for urolithiasis in cats is prepared for each animal separately, taking into account individual needs and physical characteristics.
Nutrition for cats with urolithiasis comes down to limiting the amount of food high in calcium and calcium compounds. Eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt and other dairy products are excluded from the diet.
The basis of the diet should be meat food. In limited quantities, you can give fresh or boiled vegetables that are poor in calcium and alkalis: pumpkin, Brussels sprouts. Also, you should not combine dry and wet food with homemade food.
The diet of cats with urolithiasis must be balanced, so it is best to give your pet specially designed medicinal comas for a month. Everyone should try to improve the quality of diet and watering of their pets, and avoid long-term use of monotonous products when feeding natural food.
The diet for urolithiasis in cats with oxalate stones should be designed in such a way as to limit the intake of oxalic acid, which is found in large quantities in the liver, kidneys and other by-products.
In addition, it is necessary to stimulate the pet’s thirst in every possible way, both in order to prevent the development of urolithiasis and during the treatment process. Owners should change the water in the bowl more often, place the bowl away from the food, use several bowls of different diameters, or one large one, place fountains at home, and so on.
The animal's diet may consist of the following products:
Boiled veal, beef.
Rice, oatmeal.
Beets, carrots, cauliflower, legumes.
Therapeutic and prophylactic food
When urates and uric acid salts are formed, first of all, it is necessary to exclude from the diet foods high in salts and rich in purines - meat broths and broths, since during the cooking process purines pass into the broth, offal, sausages, liver sausage, low-quality dry food, which contain a large amount of salts. For meat products, boiled lamb, chicken or veal are preferable.
Urolithiasis in cats(also called urolithiasis) is a disease caused by the formation of sand and stones (uroliths) in the kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra of an animal. Uroliths usually consist of uric acid, struvite (phosphates), cystine, oxalates, and carbonates. The size of the stones can reach up to 2 cm in diameter, causing unbearable pain to the cat when trying to urinate. In the most difficult cases, uroliths can completely block the lumen of the urinary tract. And if you do not provide the animal with urgent medical care, death is inevitable.Individuals over the age of 2 years are more susceptible to the disease, and the most vulnerable group is. The fact is that the male urethra is curved and narrower, which contributes to the formation of sand and stones, making it difficult to remove them with urine. In addition, urolithiasis is more common in long-haired cats (especially susceptible to it). With timely treatment, urolithiasis can be successfully cured, but the health of the affected animal will have to be monitored throughout its life, carefully selecting food, and periodically visiting the veterinary clinic for preventive examinations.
Diagnosis of urolithiasis
The owner of a cat, even having noticed such symptoms, should not independently diagnose the animal. Many of the listed signs of ill health may not necessarily indicate the presence of urolithiasis in a cat. For example, with oncology (including tumors of the genitourinary system), lumps in the abdominal cavity, anxious behavior, and the presence of bloody discharge are often observed. With cystitis, cats may also behave anxiously when visiting the litter box, there may be blood in the urine, and there may be fluctuations in body temperature. Thus, making a diagnosis is a matter for the veterinarian.The veterinarian determines presence of urolithiasis in a cat based on the owner’s story about the pet’s condition (it is advisable to inform the doctor about the frequency of urination, the color of urine, and the animal’s behavior in the tray). The specialist examines the animal, prescribes an ultrasound (kidneys and bladder) and x-rays, as a result of the examination the condition of the internal organs, the presence and size of stones will be visible. Urine must be taken from the animal for general analysis for laboratory testing.
Treatment of urolithiasis in cats
Since stones may differ from each other in composition, the correct treatment of urolithiasis in cats can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. Typically, stones (or sand) can be removed from a cat's urethra through a catheter using antibacterial solutions. In more complex cases (when the lumen of the urethra is almost completely blocked by uroliths), it may be necessary urethrostomy– a surgical intervention, the purpose of which is to form a new opening to the urethra for the removal of urine. When the diameter of the stones exceeds the diameter of the urethra itself, and the clock is ticking, the cat requires complete removal of the stones surgically ( cystotomy). Such manipulations are performed on the animal under general anesthesia. After removal, stones are sent for chemical analysis to determine the nature of their appearance (most often urolithiasis is caused by the appearance of oxalates or struvite) - this will help to choose the right treatment. In the future, the animal requires intravenous infusions to restore the body after intoxication. Antibiotics, antispasmodics, painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs are used.In cases where urolithiasis is at the initial stage (the cat is able to pass a little, there is no impurity in the form of blood in the urine, the animal does not experience severe discomfort), doctors may suggest conservative treatment of urolithiasis. Its goal is to dissolve stones with the help of a special diet and the use of diuretic herbal medicines. However, the conservative method will bear fruit only after a while, so Urolithiasis is most often treated surgically.
Prevention of urolithiasis
After successful treatment, this disease may never bother the cat again, provided the owner follows certain rules. Clear recommendations regarding prevention of urolithiasis given by the doctor, based on the age and health status of the animal. Typically, cats that have had urolithiasis are prescribed:- Eat high-quality ready-made foods (for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis);
- Drink only purified - filtered or settled water, and also ensure that the cat drinks enough (at least 150-200 ml of water per day);
- In a natural diet, avoid foods such as fish, seafood, foods rich in calcium (milk, cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt), salt. Depending on the composition of the stones, cats are often prohibited from vegetables, offal, fatty, raw meat;
- Natural nutrition after medication treatment of urolithiasis should consist of liquid porridges (rice, oatmeal, buckwheat), lean boiled meat (rabbit, veal, lamb, chicken, turkey), boiled vegetables (carrots, cauliflower);
- To normalize kidney function, cleansing the urinary tract and urine excretion, it is recommended to give cats diuretics (diuretics);
- To support the body, the doctor prescribes vitamin complexes;
- To prevent obesity, the owner must monitor the animal’s activity and try not to overfeed the cat;
- Some time after recovery, it is advisable to show your pet to a veterinarian, have another ultrasound and X-ray examination done, and take a urine test.
