Urolithiasis
Urolithiasis, also known as Urinary Stones, is a condition that can be commonly found in both dogs and cats. Urinary stones refer to stones that have formed anywhere within your pet’s urinary tract, which includes the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra. Each type of urinary stone can form due to different factors.
Generally, urinary stones may form due to these conditions:
High concentration of salts in the urine
Retention of these salts and crystals in the urinary tract
Your pet has an optimal pH that induces salt crystallization
A decrease in your pet’s body’s ability to fight against crystal formation
Your pet’s diet, genetics, lifestyle, and health condition are factors that may contribute to the formation of urinary stones. Bacterial infections in the urinary tract (such as UTIs) may also increase the salt concentration in his urine.
It may not be easy to recognize whether your pet has developed urinary stones. Symptoms may not be obvious until the condition grows severe. They may not be noticeable until both ureters are obstructed, your pet suffers from chronic kidney disease, or until a renal infection develops. Clinical signs may also vary depending on the location in the urinary tract the stones have formed in.
Signs of bladder stones:
Bloody urine
Difficulty urinating
Frequently urinating, but in small amounts
Abdominal discomfort and pain
Urinary accidents despite potty training
Urinary obstruction caused by stones blocking the urine flow (requires immediate emergency treatment)
Signs of urethral stones:
Pain/crying out when urinating or trying to urinate
Dribbling urine
Trying to urinate but with no urine being produced
This type of urinary stones is common in cats and dogs. It may occur suddenly or may develop throughout days or weeks. Complete obstruction of the urethra can lead to depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, coma, and death within 72 hours. A pet showing these signs of urinary obstruction needs immediate veterinary care.
Signs of ureteral stones:
Abdominal discomfort and pain
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Vomiting
Bloody urine
Ureteral stones may form in the ureter (the portion of the urinary tract that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder) and can cause an obstruction that results in serious kidney damage.
In order to properly diagnose your pet, your vet may conduct an x-ray or ultrasound. An evaluation of your pet’s blood and urine may also be necessary. A specific type of stone (struvite stones) can possibly be dissolved by providing your pet a specific diet, thus making an operation unnecessary. However, the majority of urinary stones will require surgery for removal. The severity of the condition, the urgency of removal, and the size of the stone(s) are factors that your vet will consider.
Your pet will need rest after the surgery, so it is advised that you limit your pet’s activity. He may also need to wear a cone to prevent him from biting and licking the area as it heals. Urolithiasis Urinary stones may form again over time, so your vet will recommend a proper diet for your pet. It is highly recommended that you stick to this in order to avoid new urinary stones from forming.
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