Urolithiasis in cats

Urolithiasis in cats. What do we know about her?

The basic ideas of most cat owners about urolithiasis (ICD) are as follows:

- cats get sick more often than cats;
- castration (sterilization) leads to urolithiasis;
- urolithiasis in cats occurs from feeding fish and dry food;
- there are special feeds for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis;

urolithiasis is not treated.

And what really?

1. About sex addiction: indeed, urolithiasis in cats is diagnosed more often than in cats. Why?  Because the urethra (urethra) in males, it is narrow, long and has several bends. This contributes to blockage of the urethra and subsequent urinary retention. In cats, the urethra is short and straight. Therefore, urolithiasis in cats is treated faster, and relapses are less frequent than in cats. But this does not mean that cat owners can "sleep peacefully", it's just that the disease in cats is often asymptomatic.

2. About castration: as a rule, after castration/sterilization changes the way of life of the animal: the activity of the cat decreases, because now all its energy is spent only on "eating and sleeping". A sedentary lifestyle leads to a slow metabolism and intensive deposition of salts in the body. But castration itself does not directly affect the occurrence of urolithiasis in cats (ICD). Therefore, a neutered cat, to which the owners have provided a "healthy lifestyle" (proper nutrition, sufficient exercise) and monitor its normal weight, is less likely to get urolithiasis than its non-castrated fellow obese or overweight, in whose diet cheap feed, sausage, etc.

3. About fish and dry food: the truth is only partially. There is a lot of magnesium and other salts in fish, which together with other factors can cause the formation of stones of a certain type. As for dry food, not everything is clear here either.  Economy-class feed may be a predisposing factor. But this does not apply to good, high-quality, professional feeds. And, since we're talking about feed, let's dispel misconceptions about the benefits of milk for cats. No need to give the cat milk! And even more so, you can not replace drinking water with milk (kefir, fermented baked milk, broth)! Lack of water contributes to the formation of sand and stones in the bladder. Cats have concentrated urine by nature, and any factors leading to even greater concentration or stagnation provoke precipitation in the bladder. (The situation is aggravated by the fact that cats generally drink little water. Experienced breeders even specifically use a number of techniques to make the cat drink more.)

4. About medicinal feeds: indeed, many feed manufacturers produce specialized products, recommending them both for the treatment of urolithiasis in cats and cats, and for its prevention. Feeds are divided into dry and canned (pates, pieces - for every taste). It is very important to choose the right food, taking into account the individual characteristics of the cat (type of stones, age, gender, etc.). It is also necessary to understand that these feeds, although called therapeutic, are still rather an important addition to the main therapy, but not its replacement.

5. Why is ICD in cats difficult to cure? Mainly because most often the animal is not treated, which is why repeated attacks occur. With the right treatment, the improvement of the condition occurs quite quickly, but it takes much more time to fully restore the bladder. After all, what happens in the bladder? Sediment, sand, crystals scratch its mucous membrane, wound the ureters, causing pain, inflammation and bleeding.  In conditions of inflammation, sediment and grains of sand quickly form larger compounds - stones. When the stone becomes so big that it cannot pass into the lumen of the urethra - then we see that the cat does not pee, or pees very often and little by little. Imagine yourself in his place, and you will understand how much it hurts him!

What else do you need to know about ICD in cats?

There are different types of stones. The most common are struvites (another name for struvites is tripelphosphates), oxalates are in second place in frequency of occurrence. Of course, if an animal is diagnosed with urolithiasis, it is important to know what type of stones were detected. Treatment tactics will largely depend on this. Struvites are soluble compounds. This means that it is possible to achieve their dissolution by selecting a diet and certain drugs that affect the pH of urine. Oxalates do not dissolve, so they can only be physically removed from the bladder. How? If the stone is small and can pass into the lumen of the urethra, then, with a high degree of probability, it will be able to come out "naturally". Large stones are removed promptly.

The symptoms of urolithiasis do not depend on the type of stones. At the very beginning of the disease, there are signs of discomfort when urinating: frequent approaches to the tray and long sitting "on the pot", a hunched posture, urination in the wrong places (due to the fact that the animal associates unpleasant sensations with the tray). If you do not notice the problem in time, the cat's condition worsens: urine is released drop by drop, the stomach swells, the animal becomes sluggish and apathetic. Urine gets an unpleasant smell, becomes cloudy, with an admixture of mucus and blood. With complete blockage of the urethra, acute urinary retention occurs, which is considered a critical condition and requires immediate intervention in a veterinary clinic.

After the urgent measures taken, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests (urine analysis, ultrasound, X-ray) to prescribe adequate treatment.

How to treat correctly?

First of all, it must be remembered that ICD is a multifactorial disease, and its treatment should go in several directions:

The purpose of therapy is to eliminate inflammation

The duration of the course is at least 7-10 days

What is used - Kantaren (directed anti-inflammatory effect on the lower urinary tract) + Antibiotics and/or sulfonamides (destruction of secondary microflora) + Traumatin (analgesic effect, eliminates local bleeding) + Phytopreparations

The purpose of therapy is the dissolution and removal of stones and sand

The duration of the course is at least 10-14 days

What is used - Antispasmodics (papaverine, etc.) + Drugs that affect the pH of urine + Diuretics +

Phytopreparations OR Cantaren (antispasmodic, diuretic, saluretic) + Phytopreparations

The purpose of therapy is to create conditions for the impossibility of the formation of new stones

The duration of the course is at least 2-3 weeks

What is used - Cantaren (restoration of the mucous membrane of the bladder) OR Furinaid (increases the resistance of the bladder to harmful effects)

The purpose of therapy is to prevent relapses and the formation of new stones

The duration of the course is 2-3 weeks 2-3 times a year

What is used - Cantaren

A veterinarian should select doses, a course and a competent combination of drugs based on the examination and the results of the examination!

As a rule, several drugs are prescribed for treatment at once, some of which stop the inflammatory process, others eliminate urethral spasms, the task of the third is to reduce the size of stones and facilitate the process of their excretion.

Kantaren is designed specifically for the treatment of various diseases of the urinary system (cystitis, urolithiasis). He alone (!) has a complex effect, and, what is his undoubted plus, can be used for any type of stones. Cantaren has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and diuretic effects. Increased diuresis (increased urine volume) reduces the concentration of salts in the urine and thereby prevents further formation of stones. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, Cantaren relieves inflammation, and the antispasmodic properties of this drug facilitate the passage of sand and small stones. An extremely important property of Cantaren is the ability to restore the mucous membrane of the bladder. Why is this important?  Both bacteria and sand stick very easily to the damaged mucosa, which provokes further inflammation. And without the restoration of the urothelium (the mucous layer of the bladder lining), treatment will not be effective enough.

That is why Kantaren is prescribed both in the complex therapy of urolithiasis in cats and cats, and as first aid, as well as for preventive purposes.

If the cat (or cat) has been successfully treated, it is necessary to follow a number of rules in the future to minimize the risk of relapse.

- it is recommended to take a urine test 2-3 times a year so that the doctor can notice the changes in time and take the necessary measures;
- reduce the amount of minerals coming from the feed (correct diet selection);
- provide conditions to increase fluid intake and normal urination (clean tray, fresh water);
- play more with the animal, as physical activity promotes proper metabolism;
- Carry out a preventive course of Cantaren 2-3 times a year.

A source: https://www.oldbluzcoon.com