Cat Kidney Stones: Triggers, Signs, and Remedies
In the feline world, kidney stones are not as common as in humans, but they can still pose a significant health concern for our beloved pets. The most common type of kidney stone in cats is calcium oxalate, similar to that found in humans.
Kidney stones are often associated with high blood levels of calcium, a condition known as hypercalcemia, in cats. However, many cats that have kidney stones do not exhibit symptoms, and the stones may remain undetected until diagnosed through X-ray or ultrasound.
Symptoms of kidney stones in cats, if present, can include increased urination and drinking, vomiting, decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, blood in the urine, behaviour changes like hiding more, less playful, urinating outside the litter box, and sometimes, excessive licking of the genital area.
If a urinary blockage occurs due to stones, symptoms become more severe and urgent, with signs such as straining to urinate with little or no urine output, crying or vocalizing while trying to urinate, restlessness and hiding, vomiting and loss of appetite, lethargy or even collapse in advanced stages. This condition is an emergency, mostly affecting male cats, due to their longer, narrower urethra.
Diagnosing kidney stones in cats involves various tests such as urine analysis, blood tests, and imaging tests like ultrasound or X-ray. A urinalysis and urine culture are best practice for detecting kidney stones caused by chronic infection.
Treatments for kidney stones in cats generally involve immediate veterinary care, especially if blockage symptoms appear, which may require hospital intervention. Dietary management to prevent new stone formation, often by controlling minerals such as calcium and oxalate, is crucial. Vet-recommended medication or procedures depending on stone type, size, and location are also essential.
Supportive care, such as plant-based or holistic remedies, may be used alongside veterinary treatments but should not replace them. For urinary blockages, emergency interventions to relieve obstruction, fluid therapy, and hospitalization are required.
Magnesium ammonium phosphate stones, also known as struvite stones, are the next most frequent stone in cats. These stones can be dissolved by feeding a diet low in magnesium and phosphorus. However, calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved medically.
Preventing kidney stones involves encouraging increased water consumption, getting routine blood work, and supplementing potassium citrate or vitamin B6 (with veterinarian approval). Feeding a prescription diet that dissolves or prevents a cat's particular type of stone can also help prevent more kidney stones.
It's important to note that kidney disease is a common concern for cat parents, with 1 in 3 cats developing kidney disease in their lifetime. Cats with kidney disease should be treated symptomatically, such as treating nausea and dehydration, giving pain medications, and using antibiotics if there is an infection.
Interestingly, Siamese cats are more prone to kidney stones than other breeds. Kidney stones have become 10 times more prevalent in cats since the 1980s, highlighting the importance of regular veterinary check-ups and preventive care.
[1] Veterinary Partner - Kidney Stones in Cats [2] PetMD - Kidney Stones in Cats [3] Cornell Feline Health Center - Urethral Obstruction in Cats [4] ASPCA - Urethral Obstruction in Cats [5] Hill's Pet Nutrition - Kidney Stones in Cats
Science plays a vital role in understanding and treating medical-conditions such as chronic-kidney-disease and kidney-stones in cats. The prevalence of kidney stones has increased significantly since the 1980s, with Siamese cats being more susceptible. Various tests like urine analysis, blood tests, and imaging tests help diagnose kidney stones. If a urinary blockage occurs, it becomes an emergency, especially in male cats, and requires immediate veterinary care, medications, or procedures, and supportive care like increased water consumption and a specific prescription diet may help prevent future occurrences. In some cases, chronic kidney diseases need to be managed symptomatically with treatments like pain medications and antibiotics.
