Finding solutions to cure cat’s bladder stone woes
Our cat is scheduled for size of the stones.
surgery in a few days to Attempts at dissolution
remove some stones from by diet are often tried
her bladder. She is middle first since they can be
aged and overweight. We successful in preventing
knew a problem existed the need for invasive
when, a few months ago, surgery. However, this
she started to urinate method of addressing
unexpectedly in the house. the problem is not
Sometimes the urine always successful, as
seemed to be blood you found out, for several
tinged. At first, we were possible reasons as
concerned that the voiding some stones don’t
was behavioral. We tried respond or it may take
an extra litter box and even an very long amount of
pheromones. Next a time to do so. If you
course of antibiotics was were also mixing in other
tried. With no success at foods or treats, that
resolution, and after some time, our vet could also be a contributory reason
did a urinalysis and found there were for a lack of success at dissolving the
crystals present in her urine. Based on stones by dietary means.
the urinalysis, x-rays were taken that In some respects, you should consider
revealed four stones. The next attempt you and your cat lucky in that
was to dissolve the stones with diet. as a female cat, she was less prone to
This did not work either. Is it usual for a urinary obstruction than a male
this not to work? So now we go to surgery. cat, based primarily on anatomy. Is there much risk with this kind Going forward, the stones will be
of procedure and what might we expect removed by a surgery called a cystotomy
going forward? Will this correct the urinating and then sent out for analysis in the house? so that a specific diet might then be
Bladder stones are called uroliths employed to prevent recurrence of and there are various kinds of stones, stone formation. Unfortunately, this which are mineralized deposits based might not be successful but worth a on a combination of the cat’s metabo- try all the same. There is always lism, genetics, diet and more. They some risk with surgery but a cystotomy can develop over varying amounts of is a fairly routine procedure, your time, and, in many cases, the specific cat should recover quickly, and the cause is not well understood. The two problem should resolve. It sounds as most common types of stones are if you are on the right track. either struvite or calcium oxalate stones, and these are the most likely to have dietary dissolution work.
However, the process can take several months depending in large part on the
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He can be reached at 781-899-9994.