Bladder stones in cats may be due to an accumulation of minerals and may also be present in the kidneys. The bladder stones or urinary calculi can be eliminated with a suitable diet or medications and in some cases, surgery may be needed.
Bladder Stones in Cats
The bladder stones or urinary calculi may form due to a concentration of chemicals and minerals in the cat’s urine. The minerals may be of different types and it is important to detect the composition of the stones, so as to find the best course of treatment.
The bladder stones in felines may be made up of:
- Struvite stones, which are composed of magnesium crystals
- Calcium oxalate
- Calcium phosphate
- Ammonium
- Different other chemicals combined with magnesium or calcium
The stones may vary in size and the largest ones may reach 3 inches in diameter.
Causes of Bladder Stones in Cats
The bladder stones are caused by the cat’s diet and the concentration of the urine. The concentration of urine will be determined by the cat’s diet and if it is excessive in certain minerals of chemicals, these can form deposits and stones.
Cats that are affected by common urinary infections may also be more exposed to having bladder stones.
Another cause leading to formation of bladder stones is the lack of sufficient water in the cat’s diet. Also, a cat that drinks a lot of mineral water may form bladder stones.
Genetics may play a role in the occurrence of bladder stones.
Symptoms of Bladder Stones
Bladder stones may not manifest through any symptoms at first, when they are small. As they grow larger, the cat may start displaying a few symptoms such as:
- Straining to urinate
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal pain
- Polyuria and polydypsia (excessive urinating and water drinking)
- Licking of genitals, due to the pain
Diagnosing Bladder Stones
Bladder stones may be detected on x-rays and ultrasounds. The vet will also have to determine the composition of the stones, so as to establish the best course of treatment.
Some bladder stones may not show up on x-rays or ultrasounds, as they may be transparent, so the cat will be given to ingest an ink to give color to the stones so they will appear on film when x-rays or ultrasounds are performed.
Treatment of Bladder Stones in Cats
The composition of the bladder stones will establish the type of treatment.
Some stones can be eliminated by changing the cat’s diet and making the urine more acidic, so that the stones will be eliminate naturally.
In some cases, medications will be prescribed to dissolve the bladder stones.
If the bladder stones affect the urination process and cause an occlusion, surgery will be performed to remove the stones.
If diet and medication will not dissolve the bladder stones, the vet will recommend surgery, which is also known as cystotomy.