Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing bladder stones
• Method 2 of 3: Treating Bladder Stones
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing Bladder Stones
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Uroliths, commonly referred to as bladder stones, are accumulations of minerals that form in the bladder of animals. Cats of all breeds and ages are susceptible to the formation of such stones, the size and shape of which can vary widely.If not properly treated, stones can irritate the urinary tract, causing bleeding, and blockage of the urinary tract and, as a result, irreversible kidney damage and even death. Knowing the signs and symptoms of bladder stones in an animal is necessary in order for you to be able to identify the disease in time and take the necessary measures.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing bladder stones

1. 1 Consider your pet's risk of getting sick. Some breeds, such as the Himalayan cat, have a genetic predisposition to deposit minerals in the bladder. But stones in the bladder can form in a cat of any breed, which is facilitated by the following factors:
   • Mineral deposition can be caused by a diet rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
   • An increased concentration of minerals in the bladder also occurs with insufficient fluid intake.
   • Bladder stones can form due to a urinary tract infection.
   • In the case of a genetic predisposition to the formation of stones in the bladder, prolonged use of certain medications and food additives, such as Lasix, Cortisone, ascorbic acid, Tetracycline, sulfa drugs, contributes to.
2. 2 Watch for symptoms. It is important to notice in time the signs indicating the presence of uroliths. These signs include:
   • Difficulty and painful urination (dysuria)
   • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
   • Frequent urination in small amounts
   • Excessive genital licking
   • Urination in unexpected places
3. 3 Check with your veterinarian. The doctor will be able to diagnose the presence of bladder stones and determine how seriously the stones are blocking the urinary tract.
   • Tell your veterinarian about your pet's unusual behavior and symptoms you have noticed.
   • The doctor may carry out palpation of the cat's abdomen, urinalysis, X-ray and ultrasound examinations.
   • If the cat has bladder stones, one or more stones will be visible either in the bladder itself or in the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureter, and urethra.

Method 2 of 3: Treating Bladder Stones

1. 1 Act without delay. If your pet has bladder stones, do not waste time. There have been cases that the stones grew to a significant size in just two weeks. The growth of bladder stones leads to severe pain, vomiting, and depression.
   • While blockages in the ureter are uncommon and easy to treat, blockages in the kidney can cause permanent damage to the kidney.
2. 2 Consider your options. Depending on the size, number, and location of the stones, your veterinarian may recommend either diet alone or major surgery.
   • The doctor may prescribe a special diet that will help dissolve mineral deposits in the bladder and change the pH level in the animal's body, which will prevent further formation of such deposits.
   • The veterinarian can clean the stones from the animal's bladder. He uses a catheter to remove stones and sediment.
   • A doctor may perform a cystostomy, which means cutting the bladder and removing stones and sediment from it surgically.
   • Your veterinarian may recommend a perineal urethrotomy, which involves widening the urethra surgically.
3. 3 Prepare your pet for surgery. If your veterinarian has recommended surgery as the best way to remove large stones, you should prepare for surgery. This preparation consists of several steps.
   • Do not feed your pet on the eve of anesthesia surgery. With anesthesia, there is a danger that vomiting will occur and vomit will enter the lungs.The best way to prevent this is to avoid eating before surgery. The time of such abstinence depends on the age and weight of the animal, as well as on the type of anesthesia expected. Check with your veterinarian for how long before surgery you should stop feeding your pet.
   • Provide the cat with enough liquid. Fluid should be given to the animal the night before surgery, unless the veterinarian advises against doing so.
   • If you are giving your pet medications, ask your veterinarian if they should be used the day before surgery.
4. 4 Take care of your post-operative care. Your veterinarian will tell you how to care for your animal after surgery. You will likely need regular medication and more frequent check-ups.
   • Perhaps the veterinarian will send the extracted stones to a laboratory for analysis. Knowing the exact mineral composition of the stones will help you take preventive measures and prescribe the right medications to prevent future stone formation.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing Bladder Stones

1. 1 Change your pet's diet. Although experts have not yet come to a consensus on the exact causes of bladder stones in animals, in recent years they have found an increase in the formation of certain types of stones, consisting of calcium oxalate. There are many types of stones made up of different minerals. Your veterinarian will send the removed stone for analysis and recommend a diet low in the minerals found in the stone.
   • Choose a diet suitable for the type of urolith that has formed in your pet's bladder. For example, in the case of oxalates, a low acid diet with moderate to low calcium, magnesium, and citric acid salts is recommended. This diet will reduce urine calcium and prevent calcium oxalate formation.
   • Use canned food instead of dry food. The additional moisture they contain will dilute the urine and prevent the formation of mineral sediment.
2. 2 Provide your pet with plenty of fresh water. Cats prefer fresh water and are usually reluctant to drink water that has stood for several days.
   • Refresh the water in the bowl daily. This will also help you determine how much water your cat is drinking.
3. 3 Get regular veterinary checkups. After the stones have been removed, your veterinarian will likely recommend that your pet have periodic check-ups for several months to check for possible bladder stones and include urinalysis. Thanks to routine examinations, you can make sure there are no relapses and complete recovery of the animal.

Tips

• Check your cat's litter box regularly to make sure everything is in order.
• Some cat breeds are more prone to developing kidney stones than others. For example, Burmese and Himalayan cats are genetically predisposed to form calcium oxalate stones in the bladder. If your pet belongs to one of these breeds, take steps to prevent urolithiasis.
• Don't give your cat food that is too salty.
• The water in your area may be too hard. This means that it contains minerals that are not dissolved by the body and are carried into the bladder. In this case, buy filtered water for yourself and your pet.

Warnings

• When it is difficult to pass urine, cats experience severe abdominal pain. Your pet may scream and flinch in pain while urinating. Light pressure on the abdomen can provoke a violent reaction due to severe pain. Be careful not to lift your cat and take special care of its belly.
• If you suspect possible health problems for your pet, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

What do you need

• Pet delivery container
• Suitable food recommended by a veterinarian
• Medicines prescribed by a veterinarian
• Water