Urolithiasis in cats first aid. Standard clinical picture. What are the causes of the disease

Urolithiasis received in lately widespread among domestic cats. Important role Timely diagnosis of the disease plays a role in the prognosis and treatment of a pet. Modern veterinary medicine has an impressive arsenal of tools for conservative therapy pathology, so there are quite a lot of options for how to treat urolithiasis in cats. And they are selected depending on individual characteristics 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.

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Symptoms and diagnostic methods

KSD in cats is a multifactorial metabolic pathology, accompanied by the formation of stones (stones, uroliths) of various types. mineral composition 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.

On late stages As the disease progresses, stones can completely block the ureters, leading to retention and overflow bladder. If urination stops completely, then this condition is life-threatening for the pet. Therefore, how to understand that a cat has urolithiasis? early stages development of the disease, every responsible owner should know.

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 urine is one of the informative methods Diagnosis of 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 to do? Further, to confirm the diagnosis of urolithiasis and to exclude other kidney pathologies, general and bio chemical analysis s blood. 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 one is painless and easy way 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

Choice of treatment methods for urolithiasis largely depends on the type and size of the stones, the stage of development of the disease, age and general condition animal. Subject to availability urinary sand, small round stones, struvite or urate stones, as well as the elderly age of the pet, complications of inflammatory processes are used conservative treatment.

Drug treatment

If the diagnosis is confirmed next question, which the veterinarian has to decide - what to inject the cat with urolithiasis. Treatment of urolithiasis in cats includes the following steps:

  • 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 antispasmodics: “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. Manipulation requires general anesthesia and is carried out in a specialized institution. After installing the catheter and draining the urine, if sand is present, the bladder is washed 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 undergoes antibacterial therapy. As antimicrobial agents broad-spectrum drugs are used: 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 veterinarian recommends one scheme or another therapeutic nutrition 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. More often veterinary specialists Specialized medicinal foods are prescribed.

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, they resort to surgical methods treatment. If a blockage occurs urinary tract, then surgery is the only way 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 blocked urethra Perineal cystotomy is performed in cats. 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 with the help of 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 the animal is admitted to the clinic with urinary retention for more than 3 days, then the situation can be extremely difficult, 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;
  • water must be filtered or boiled;
  • not to allow;
  • prevent hypothermia and overheating of the animal;
  • undergo ultrasound diagnostics of the kidneys and bladder every six months;
  • submit your urine for analysis once every 4 months.

Urolithiasis in domestic cats requires constant monitoring of the animal's condition and regular treatment. Carrying out surgery It 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.

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  • Many animals develop health problems not due to improper care, but due to genetic predisposition. One of the most common ailments in cats is urolithiasis, which occurs due to many reasons. According to statistics, every 10 cats are prone to urinary tract diseases.

    Urolithiasis - what is it?

    According to research, almost 15% of domestic cats are predisposed to developing urolithiasis. Many people confuse urolithiasis with nephrolithiasis. In both cases, stones are formed in the internal organs, which are divided into several types depending on the composition:

    • uralates are the most common;
    • struvite (phosphates);
    • oxalates - have an irregular shape, often forming in cats over 10 years old.

    With urolithiasis they appear in the lower urinary tract. With nephrolithiasis - in the kidneys. Urolithiasis is accompanied by:

    • painful urination (almost always with blood);
    • urinary disturbance;
    • regular but ineffective urge to urinate.

    In the most severe cases, urethral obstruction (blockage of the urethra) occurs, which can lead to the death of the animal.

    The disease has been studied for more than 40 years. During this time, various hypotheses for the occurrence of the disease were put forward. At first it was thought that viruses contributed to its development. This version was later refuted. Now the most likely cause is considered to be an incorrectly formulated diet.

    Who can get sick

    In order to understand whether a pet is at risk, you need to know who has a predisposition to urolithiasis. Most often they suffer from:

    • long-haired breeds (Persians, Siberians);
    • castrated animals;
    • obese pets;
    • cats aged 2 to 6 years;
    • cats (due to physiological characteristics);
    • animals eating dry food.

    Experts have noticed that exacerbation, especially in cats, occurs in the autumn-spring period. At this time, the immune system is weakened to a greater extent. This means that the risk of developing various diseases increases several times.

    Reasons

    The main cause of urolithiasis is genetic predisposition. It so happens that domestic cats have a dulled sense of thirst. After all, their distant ancestors lived in a dry and rather hot climate; they had to do without water for a long time.

    Modern pets are not familiar with problems associated with a lack of fluid, but genetic memory makes itself felt. Insufficient water consumption leads to an increase in the concentration of urine in the body.. And this, in turn, entails the development of the disease.


    The reasons causing illness, also consider:

    • unbalanced diet and poor quality water;
    • kidney stones;
    • pathology of the digestive system;
    • castration, especially at an early age;
    • low level of animal activity;
    • obesity;
    • infections;
    • poor hygiene (for example, irregular cleaning of the tray).

    A combination of other factors can also trigger the disease. For example, the microclimate in the room where the cat lives is too hot. As well as a lack (excess) of vitamins and minerals, hormonal imbalances, anatomical features, hereditary predisposition.

    Cat diet and urolithiasis

    For a long time it was believed that the main cause of urolithiasis was feeding only dry food. Recent studies have proven that this is not entirely true. Great value has not the type of food, but its vitamin and mineral composition. Food should be balanced. The risk of developing the disease increases significantly if the food is oversaturated:

    • proteins;
    • phosphorus;
    • calcium salts;
    • magnesium


    Pets that are also prone to the disease are do not get enough iodine. A low content of this substance in food leads to decreased function thyroid gland and hypovitaminosis. Vitamin A deficiency negatively affects internal cells fabrics genitourinary system.

    Clinical manifestations or symptoms

    Urolithiasis, even at an early stage, causes a lot of inconvenience to the cat and strong feeling discomfort. It is not difficult to understand that something is wrong with your pet. Just pay attention to his behavior:

    • the animal diligently licks under the tail;
    • makes a plaintive meow when urinating;
    • often goes to the toilet or tries to do his “business” wherever he has to;
    • sand or blood appear in the urine.


    Another sign is the position in which the cat goes to the toilet.. The animal assumes a very tense position. His head is pointing down. The back is arched, the muscles are tense. Front and hind legs stand almost vertically.

    Symptoms indicating a severe form of the disease:

    • frequent painful urge to urinate;
    • incontinence;
    • vomit;
    • pain in the lower back;
    • loss of consciousness;
    • the last stage is the inability to go to the toilet.

    If you ignore these clinical manifestations, the death of the cat is inevitable. The difficulty in diagnosing urolithiasis lies in the fact that initial stage the development of the disease can occur without obvious symptoms. This period sometimes lasts for months and even years. Owners simply do not notice how the pet’s behavior and well-being changes.

    Course of the disease

    When favorable conditions arise for the development of a disease or a hereditary tendency, sand begins to appear in the urinary tract. The cat experiences pain when urinating. The inflammatory process provokes frequent urge toilet. Blood or sediment appears in the urine. At this stage, the animal constantly licks itself vigorously. Body temperature rises by 1-2 degrees.


    When the disease progresses to the following form, sand particles become larger and form stones. This causes deterioration in well-being. The cat becomes lethargic and loses its appetite. In severe cases, blockage of the urinary tract occurs. Pet:

    • cannot go to the toilet;
    • meows loudly;
    • behaves restlessly;
    • tries to take a position to urinate anywhere.

    With this behavior, the owner should have no doubt that the pet is sick. The cat's belly becomes dense and noticeably increases in size. On palpation, the bladder is clearly palpable. There is no need to hesitate. After all, blockage of the urinary tract leads to stagnation of urine and subsequent intoxication of the body.

    At this stage, the clock is ticking. If you ignore a visit to the veterinarian, in a few days the animal will simply die from internal poisoning, rupture of the bladder or peritonitis (inflammation abdominal cavity).

    Diagnostics

    Changed behavior may indicate not only urolithiasis, but also other health problems. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. As soon as deviations in the cat’s behavior are noticed (for example, refusal to eat, apathy, weakness), you should immediately contact the clinic. The veterinarian will examine you and prescribe a comprehensive examination.


    Urolithiasis is detected using:

    • ultrasound;
    • x-ray;
    • laboratory research.

    Test results help exclude the presence internal tumors, infections and inflammatory processes, identify the nature of calculi (stones), determine the stage of development of the disease. Comprehensive examination allows you to assign correct treatment and prescribe medications that will not cause complications.

    Treatment

    Treatment of urolithiasis almost always requires surgery. This measure allows you to restore the patency of the urinary tract. After the operation, the recovery process begins with the help of medications and a special diet. Drugs are often prescribed that dissolve stones and stimulate the excretion of calcium salts in the urine. These can be not only medications, but also herbal infusions.


    Only a doctor can choose the correct treatment regimen, taking into account all the individual characteristics of the cat. At the first stage, a catheter is inserted into the bladder. The course lasts about 70 days. If infection is present, antibiotics are prescribed.

    If the introduction of a catheter does not alleviate the animal's condition, surgery is performed. The surgeon opens the bladder, cleans it, and places a temporary catheter. Further treatment carried out as in the previous case, but lasts longer.

    The catheter is removed after a few weeks. For recovery period accompanying supportive procedures are required. For example, blood purification and close monitoring of the condition of internal organs (kidneys, heart).

    Prevention

    Prevention of urolithiasis is, first of all, drawing up the correct and balanced diet. Food must be saturated with minerals and vitamins in the quantities required for a particular age, gender and health status. Regardless of the type of feeding, cats should have unlimited access to fresh drinking water. This is especially true for animals that eat only dry food.


    An excess of minerals often provokes the development of urolithiasis. Therefore, it is not recommended to give cats both ready-made mixtures and natural food at the same time. When feeding pelleted food, you should adhere to the dosage indicated on the package.

    Urolithiasis is often a consequence of infections and inflammations. Therefore, you should not ignore any deviation for the worse in the pet’s health. A timely visit to the veterinarian will prevent the development of inflammatory processes and avoid serious complications. According to statistics, every 3 animals recover. Provided that the disease has not progressed to severe forms.

    Urolithiasis or UCD (feline urolithiasis) is a disease in which sand and/or sand forms in the bladder cavity. urinary stones. Every 4th cat is at risk, so this disease cannot be left unattended.

    What you need to know about ICD in cats

    • Urological syndrome (another name for urolithiasis) develops against the background of a metabolic disorder, in which various salts precipitate in the cat’s body in the form of sand crystals or urinary stones.
    • The risk group includes:
      • animals aged from 2 to 6 years;
      • cats that are overweight;
      • long-haired breeds;
      • males suffer more often, because their urethra is narrower than that of cats;
      • unsterilized cats that are regularly “empty” (estrus without mating and fertilization) and castrated cats.
    • The period of exacerbation of urolithiasis in cats is in early autumn, as well as from January to April.
    • Cats practically do not get sick, because... their urethra is significantly wider than that of cats.
    • The presence of sand and stones in the bladder does not necessarily mean the presence of kidney stones in a cat, although it is likely.
    • Depending on the type of salts deposited, urinary stones in cats are most often found in the form of struvite and oxalate. Struvites are phosphate deposits and form more often in cats under 6 years of age. They are loose, hard, appear in alkaline urine and most often from improper and unbalanced feeding (with an excess of phosphorus and magnesium compounds). Oxalates are salts of oxalic acid. The main age of the lesion is over 7 years. Persian, Himalayan and Burmese breeds are more susceptible. Loose, with sharp edges. The main cause of oxalates is acidification of urine due to excess calcium.
    • It is sand and stones that pass through the ureter that irritate it, causing inflammation, pain and bleeding.

    Why does urolithiasis occur?

    All causes that provoke the formation of urinary stones are divided into external (exogenous) and internal (endogenous).

    Exogenous causes:

    1. Violation of feeding conditions. At poor nutrition cats or lack of water, metabolism is disrupted, urine concentration increases and its pH changes. Against this background, sand begins to form and urinary stones of various natures begin to form.
    2. Climate and geochemical situation. Increased ambient temperature increases diuresis, and urine becomes much more concentrated than in normal conditions. If the water that cats are given is saturated with various salts, then the deposition of stones in the urine will not take long to occur.
    3. Lack of vitamin A. This vitamin has a beneficial effect on the cells that line the mucous membrane of the bladder. With hypovitaminosis A, the condition of the mucous membrane worsens, which provokes urolithiasis.

    Endogenous factors:

    1. Hormonal imbalances, which can disrupt mineral metabolism in the body with the formation of stones.
    2. Congenital features of the anatomy of the urinary tract.
    3. Operational disruptions gastrointestinal tract, in which the acid-base balance is lost and sand and stones appear in the bladder.
    4. Infections. Viruses and bacteria, through their vital activity, can provoke the development of the disease.
    5. Genetic predisposition. It has been proven that ICD can be inherited in cats. More precisely, a predisposition to the disease is inherited, and any favorable conditions provoke pathology.
    6. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle life.
    7. Various genitourinary diseases provoke signs of inflammation in the bladder, and then cystitis is complicated by stones.

    How to determine if a cat is sick

    If there are stones in the bladder that do not block the lumen of the ureter, and sand, the disease can be asymptomatic for a long time. When stones have already formed, the symptoms of urolithiasis in cats appear quite clearly. The intensity of the manifestation of symptoms of urolithiasis in cats can be divided into 3 degrees - the first (initial or mild) signs, severe and critical symptoms.


    For critical symptoms time goes by for hours in order to save the animal’s life by delivering it to a specialist.

    Treatment

    If the main signs of urolithiasis have been noticed, then you should not delay visiting the veterinarian - with a certain course, the cat can die in 2-4 days. The only way the owner can immediately help is to eliminate the spastic pain by injecting the cat with no-shpa or papaverine (the dosage is the same: 1-2 mg/kg in tablets or injections). Sometimes there is no time for this either.

    At the clinic, the doctor first tries to empty the bladder. Next, painkillers are administered, and a scheme is developed for how to treat urolithiasis in a cat in this particular case. The full therapeutic course of eliminating urolithiasis in cats lasts 1-2 weeks without surgery and can take up to 3-4 weeks with surgery.

    Surgeries for urolithiasis are carried out according to strict indications, when it is not possible to remove stones using a catheter or through conservative treatment, and also when there is no access to laser therapy.

    Treatment algorithm for urolithiasis by specialists:

    • anesthesia:
      • no-spa, papaverine - the dosage is the same: 1-2 mg/kg in tablets or intramuscular injections(and giving no-shpa only orally, intramuscularly is highly not recommended);
      • baralgin – 0.05 mg/kg intramuscularly (may provoke internal bleeding, so should not be abused).
    • prescribing alpha-blockers in long courses after restoration of urethral patency (drugs to relax the urinary canal and internal sphincter of the bladder and improve urine outflow without a catheter):
      • prazosin, phenoxybenzamine - orally 0.25-0.5 mg/animal 1-2 times a day;
      • terazosin - orally 0.2-0.5 mg/animal from 5-7 days to long-term use the lowest therapeutic doses.
    • restoration of urine outflow from the bladder, removal of stones:
      • catheterization under local or general anesthesia;
      • carrying out retrograde lavage, when stones from the urethra are washed into the cavity of the bladder, and urine drains freely;
      • surgical method (removal of stones through surgery - when the stones are large and removing them naturally impossible);
      • conservative method (dissolving stones and removing sand by adjusting the diet, special diets for cats and increasing diuresis, while simultaneously using only antispasmodics and painkillers - used when the outflow of urine is not obstructed);
      • laser lithotripsy - laser surgery involves crushing stones that are amenable to this process and removing them naturally.
    • infusion therapy (increase urine output (strictly after restoration of the act of urination), relieve intoxication due to stagnation of urine, restore the animal against the background of dehydration):
      • glutargin 4% + glucose 5% - 10 ml + 5 ml twice a day for 3-5 days;
      • glucose 40% + Ringer-Locke solution: 5 ml + 50 ml drip.
      • vetavit – dissolve ½ sachet in warm water, milk or mixed with food, give twice daily for 1-2 weeks.
    • antibiotic therapy (if elevated temperature And obvious signs bacterial infection):
      • nitroxoline – 1/4-1/2 tablet. three times a day for 5-7 days;
      • furadonin – daily dose is 5-10 g/kg, which is divided into several doses per day (2-4 times) over a course of 7-10 days.
      • enrofloxacin - orally or subcutaneously at a rate of 5 mg/kg once a day for a course of 3-7 days.
    • hemostatic therapy (with acute form when blood is found in the urine):
      • etamsylate (dicinone) – 10 mg/kg intramuscularly once every 6 hours until blood stops appearing in the urine (usually a day or two).
      • vikasol – intramuscularly 1-2 mg/kg.

    elimination of signs inflammatory process, treatment of urolithiasis directly (during the entire course of treatment of any of similar drugs It’s important to give your cat plenty to drink):

    • Stop cystitis (100-165 RUR/pack): orally twice a day, 2 ml/1 tablet. (if the animal’s weight is up to 5 kg) or 3 ml/2 tablets. (weight more than 5 kg) for one week. Further in the same dosage, but only once a day for 5-7 days.
    • Uro-ursi (about 150-180 rubles/14 capsules): 1 capsule. Daily for 2 weeks (1 package per course).
    • Urotropine (about 30 rub./vial): 1.5-4 ml orally with water twice a day for 7-10 days.
    • Cystokur forte (about 1000 rubles/pack of 30 g): twice a day, 1 scoop of the drug mixed with wet food for 2-4 weeks, depending on the severity of the pathology.
    • Furinide (up to 1800 RUB/fl.): orally with any food, two pumps of the dispenser (2.5 ml) once a day for 2 weeks, then 1 pump (1.25 ml) for the next 2 weeks.
    • Ipakitina (1200-1500 rub./fl.): morning and evening 1 measuring spoon powder (1 g) for every 5 kg of body weight orally with food or water for a minimum of 3 months - a maximum of 6 months.
    • Cantaren (150-185 rubles/10 ml or 50 tablets): 1 tablet orally. or 0.5-2 ml into the muscle or subcutaneously once a day for 3-4 weeks, but not longer than 1 month. IN severe conditions the frequency can be increased up to 3 times a day.
    • Kotervin (RUB 70-100/bottle 10 ml): 2-4 ml twice a day orally for a week, then once a day in the same dosage. You can repeat the course after 3 months.
    • Nephrocat (about 250 rub./15 tablets): twice a day, 1 tablet/10 kg of weight for 2 weeks. Once a quarter treatment course can be repeated.
    • Renal-advance (up to RUB 1,250/bottle 40 g): 1 measured portion for every 2.5 kg of cat’s body weight once a day orally with food for 1 month.
    • HIMALAYA Cyston (up to 300 rub./bottle 60 tablets): ½ or ¼ tablets orally twice a day at the same time for 4-6 months.
    • Urolex (RUB 180-260/bottle of 20 ml): 3 times a day, 3 drops/kg body weight directly onto the root of the tongue or diluted a little with water. The duration of treatment should not exceed 1 month.
    • Phytoelite " Healthy kidneys"(about 100 rubles/pack): the first 2 days, 1 tablet every 2 hours, then three times a day, 1 tablet until the symptoms go away + another 5-7 days.
    • Urological phytomins (up to 150 rubles): usually used in combination with any medicinal drug from ICD. 2 tablets twice a day for 10 days, depending on the severity of the disease. If necessary, the course is repeated after 7-14 days.
    • Urinari Tract Support (up to 800 rubles/pack of 60 tablets): 2 tablets/day - immediately or 1 tablet. morning and evening along with food or any of your pet’s favorite treats. The course is 1-2 weeks or until the symptoms of the disease are permanently eliminated.

    Question and answer:

    Question:
    Is there a special food for cats with urolithiasis?

    Yes, there is a whole range of foods industrial production, classified as therapeutic and prophylactic. It is important to remember that dry food is not suitable in most cases, because... they always have a high salt content.

    If the disease is caused by oxalates, the following foods are suitable:

    • Hills Prescription Diet Feline X/D;
    • Eukanuba Oxalate Urinary Formula;
    • Royal Cannin Urinary S/O LP34.
    • Urate urolithiasis:
    • Hill's PD Feline K/D.

    For struvite stones:

    • Hills Prescription Diet Feline S/D;
    • Hill's Prescription Diet C/D;
    • Royal Canin Urinary S/O High Dilution UMC34;
    • Eukanuba Struvite Urinary Formula;
    • Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR.

    To prevent urolithiasis, feed:

    • Hill's PD Feline C/D;
    • Royal Cannin Urinary S/O;
    • Club 4 paws Ph control;
    • Royal Cunneen Urinary S/O Feline;
    • Cat Chow Special Care Urinary Tract Health;
    • Brekis Exel Cat Urinary Care;
    • Pet Time Feline Perfection.

    In general, you should exclude food that belongs to the economy class, and use only premium (Natural Cheese, Hills, Brit, Bozita, Happy Cat, Belcando, Gabby, Royal Canin,) and super premium(Profine edelt cat, Bosch Sanabel, Purina Vann, Arden Grange, Kimiamo, PRO Holistic).

    Question:
    What should be the diet for cats with urolithiasis?

    If it is not possible to feed your cat with ready-made industrial food, you will have to monitor the diet yourself. In many ways, the nutrition of a cat with urolithiasis will depend on what stones were identified.

    1. It is important to limit/exclude the consumption of foods containing calcium and its compounds - eggs and dairy products.
    2. The diet is based on meat products with a minimum of vegetables that have little or no calcium and alkali - Brussels sprouts, pumpkin.
    3. It is forbidden to mix ready-made industrial feed with regular natural food y, both dry and wet.
    4. It is necessary to avoid monotony in natural food - do not give the same food for a long time.
    5. If oxalate stones are detected, liver, kidneys and other offal containing oxalic acid should be excluded from the diet.
    6. It is necessary to stimulate your pet's thirst so that he drinks a lot (to stimulate diuresis). The water in the bowl should be constantly changed for fresh water, it is better to place it away from the cup of food, and organize a fountain at home (if your own home).
    7. Any diet can be composed of boiled beef, lamb, veal and chicken, oatmeal and rice, legumes, cauliflower, carrots and beets, lean fish with white meat.
    8. If urates are detected, strong meat broths, offal, sausages (especially liver sausage), and cheap dry food are removed from the diet.

    Important: if there is a history of urolithiasis, the cat’s diet becomes its lifelong companion! Even after the exacerbation has been removed, the pathology remains and can manifest itself at any time if preventive measures are not followed!

    Question:
    How to treat urolithiasis in a cat at home?

    Treating ICD at home is very risky! If the approach is incorrect and large stones are present, blockage of the ureter may occur, which will significantly worsen the animal’s condition. The safest help for a pet owner can only be pain relief. Afterwards, you need to take the cat to the veterinarian as quickly as possible.

    Question:
    Prevention of urolithiasis - how to prevent it?

    To prevent the appearance of stones in the bladder, you must adhere to the following rules:

    • the cat should always have access to fresh, clean water;
    • monitor body weight to prevent obesity;
    • monitor the balance of the diet, depending on the animal’s sex, age, and physiological state;
    • avoid hypothermia;
    • if there is a history of urolithiasis, put the cat on a diet, depending on what stones were identified, or start feeding it with ready-made food.

    Question:
    Treatment of urolithiasis in cats with folk remedies.

    It is impossible to completely cure urolithiasis in a cat using folk recipes alone. Moreover, if the herbal mixture is selected incorrectly, there is a risk that existing stones will begin to move and get stuck in the narrow passages of the cat’s urethra or genitals, which will lead to serious consequences. At the same time, on the basis of the main treatment herbal infusions good for stimulating diuresis.

    • Mix 5 g of the following dried herbs: lavender, birch leaves, black currant leaves, hop cones, chamomile, red rose petals, plantain leaves. Add 20 g of rose hips and shoots horsetail. Take 5-7 g of the mixture and pour 380 ml of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes in a water bath, strain and cool. Give 5-15 ml (depending on the size of the animal) of the resulting decoction after each emptying of the bladder or attempt to do so (but at least 5 times a day). After signs of exacerbation are removed, the concentration of the decoction is reduced to 2.5 g of the mixture per 250 ml and given up to 3 times a day for a month.
    • For sudden renal colic or pain in the bladder, you can try giving fresh parsley juice - ¼ tsp. in dilute warm water form and is given up to 4 times a day.
    • You can give strawberry, strawberry or carrot juice - 1 tsp on an empty stomach. 30 minutes before feeding (urine acidity changes).
    • You can help your pet with a herbal bath by adding a decoction of oregano, birch, chamomile, sage, cucumber and linden to the water (take 1 g in total, pour 500 ml of boiling water, wrap and simmer for 2.5-3 hours and pour into a container, where the cat will dive).

    Question:
    The main signs of urolithiasis in a cat.

    It is enough to remember 3 main manifestations of pathology:

    • rapid, painful urination or its complete absence;
    • the cat relieves itself in the wrong place;
    • there is blood or signs of blood in the urine.
    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 don’t provide the animal with urgent medical care, death 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). When providing 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.

  • Lack of urine or it may be negligible (anuria);
  • Convulsions are possible;
  • Development of renal failure;
  • Blockage of the urinary tract;
  • Autointoxication (uremia).
  • 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), compactions in the abdominal cavity, anxious behavior, and the presence of bloody discharge. 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. laboratory research.

    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 urethrostomysurgery, the purpose of which is to form a new urethral opening for urine excretion. When the diameter of the stones exceeds the diameter of the urethra itself, and the clock is counting, the cat needs complete removal stones using the surgical method ( 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.

    In cases where urolithiasis is on initial stage(the cat is able to pass a little, there is no impurity in the urine in the form of blood, 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);
    • Avoid in natural nutrition products such as fish, seafood, foods rich in calcium (milk, cottage cheese, cheese, curdled milk), 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, do another ultrasound and X-ray examination, and take a urine test.
    Urolithiasis can lead to the development of many severe concomitant diseases, disrupting not only the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system, but also the entire body as a whole. Due to the appearance of urolith stones, toxins, protein substances, and salts cannot be excreted in the urine, and the cat’s body poisons itself. In addition, the purr experiences severe pain, her quality of life deteriorates significantly. Therefore, the owner must immediately contact a veterinary clinic, especially in cases where the pet cannot empty its bladder for more than 1-2 days.

    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 uretrolites, 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 to the health of the animal and therapeutic methods effective in curing the disease largely depend on their properties.

    It is believed that with urolithiasis in cats, you can find about a dozen varieties of uroliths formed by the same number 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 that sit on it regularly suffer from urolithiasis 70% more often than cats that receive 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 feed a cat river fish(this applies to a lesser extent to sea water), be sure to scald it with boiling water!

    In addition, the ICD is common consequence 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 under normal conditions are not prone to the formation of “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 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. At sharp decline level of calcium in food without an adequate reduction of oxalates, the quite expected thing 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 serious increase serum calcium level, function 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, vitamin D₃ hypervitaminosis And hypercalcemia, developing against the background of cancer of the endocrine glands. 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 the lower parts of the 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. Last situation, by the way, is especially difficult. It is accompanied by vomiting, and the development of lethargy and renal colic is likely. When the stone is large enough and tends to grow, it begins to literally stretch and tear the 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 past five or six years, and that's unless she's 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 fulfill its function. 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 apparent only when at least one kidney is gone. 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 kidney disease(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, as a result of which urine production slows 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 of pure blood begin to come out of the urethra. 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 “gamily” that there are cases of organ ruptures when simply trying to palpate it (iatrogenic rupture of the 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 do not 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 urethroliths block only one ureter, and there are no symptoms in the background, can be detected in the early stages only 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”. 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 end up 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 an X-ray examination does not guarantee a 100% result: many types of stones are formed by minerals that are “transparent” to x-rays. They simply pass through the uroliths, as a result of which no threatening signs remain on x-rays. 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 of mechanical damage to the urethra is quite high. Therefore, surgical treatment of urolithiasis in cats is used: the lumen of the urethra is opened with the 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 prescribing treatment and a suitable diet for the pet.

    Therapeutic techniques

    Since urolithiasis is often caused by bacteria, sick pets are prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics. 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, you can’t give them 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 kidney failure.

    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, perform a biochemical blood test, and repeat abdominal x-rays and/or ultrasound examination of the area. 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 treatment dynamics 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.