Urolithiasis and urological syndrome of cats. If there is oxalate in the urine of a cat, what is recommended? Oxalates in the urine of a cat, as indicated

Pathologies of the urinary system are a real scourge of old cats. As a rule, we are talking in this case about cystitis and nephritis, but struvites are often found in the urine of a cat. This is the name of stones in the bladder and kidneys, mainly formed by ammonium phosphates.... Also, magnesium salts can be the basis of stones of this type.

However, in veterinary practice, struvites are often understood to mean all stones all depending on their chemical nature. In principle, this is partly true, since the cat itself does not really care what exactly causes him unbearable suffering when urinating.

Note that the salts of magnesium, calcium and other elements are, in general, fairly "typical" elements of animal urine. Problems begin when there are too many of them, and urine turns into a supersaturated solution in which dissolved salts can precipitate, forming stones. As a rule, the pathology develops in animals between the ages of five and seven years.

The reason for the appearance of struvites is quite simple - the appearance of urine with a pronounced alkaline reaction. Very often this happens to animals that receive poor-quality nutrition - for example, the same dry food of low quality. Long-term use of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids has been reported to promote stone formation. What other causes of pathology exist?

Remember! Prolonged and persistent urinary retention (although this is more typical for dogs - they rarely pee in the tray), as well as infectious and cancerous diseases of the urinary system, can lead to the same outcome.

Some pets with bladder stones do not show any signs of pathology for a long time. Common symptoms include: (due to constant irritation of the mucous membrane of the organ), while the pet is very tense, urine comes out either in a thin stream, or in general in the form of a few drops. Cats are characterized by uncontrolled urination, the animal begins to urinate anytime, anywhere. Cloudy or (pictured), often markedly increased thirst is also common.

The detection of tripel phosphates in the urine of a cat means that the animal develops urolithiasis, requiring immediate attention to the veterinarian. If, during the period of exacerbation of symptoms, the pet is not provided with help, for example, surgery, then he may die. Regardless of whether the cat drinks or not, urine constantly enters the bladder and stretches it to a critical size. On the inner walls, blood vessels rupture, a lot of blood enters the lumen, and urine enters the blood vessels, intoxication of the body develops, which is accompanied by convulsions, trembling of the body, and vomiting.

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    Treatment of the disease in cats

    Treatment of urolithiasis is carried out in several ways:

    • drug therapy, homeopathy;
    • the use of herbal medicine includes herbal preparations to reduce inflammation and dissolve uralites;
    • epicystomy surgery, urethrotomy or bladder catheterization;
    • a dietary method including the stage of dissolving calculi, preventing the appearance of new ones, reducing harmful substances in the diet, increasing the volume of urine formation, maintaining the required pH;
    • pulse magnetic therapy.

    They try with the help of medicines to eliminate pain, increase the dissolution of salts, make the texture of the stones looser, and prevent relapses:

    • antispasmodics are used to eliminate pain, these include Spazgan, Baralgin;
    • the infection is fought with the help of sulfa drugs (Sulf-120, Urosolfan), antibiotics (Albipen LA, Tsefa-kure, Enprofloxacin), anti-inflammatory drugs (Dexafolt), the drug Cat Erwin is effective, the latter is injected into the bladder after urine has been removed;
    • relieve spasms of smooth muscles with Catosal or Gamavit;
    • clean the lumen of the canal and break the plugs in the urethra with the help of a catheter and treatment with Cat Erwin, baths heated to 40˚C on the lower part of the animal's body;
    • quickly improve the condition of the pet by injecting Gamavit under the skin with the simultaneous administration of Fosprenil and Maxidin;
    • it is allowed to use Avisan and Cyston, but the dosage in the instructions is indicated for a person, therefore for cats it is recalculated by weight, pay attention to the cat's allergic manifestations to the incoming plant components.

    For cats, drugs containing essential oils and glycerin are prohibited, this will lead to the death of the animal (Cistenal, Urolesan, Fitolizin, Pinobin).

    If drug treatment was carried out, then in 50-60% of cases, repeated relapses occur.

    Homeopathic remedies

    Long-term therapy with homeopathic medicines controls the condition of the inner mucous layer of the bladder. Prescribe drugs Mukoza, Berberis-homaccord, Compositum. According to the instructions, the medication is given several times a week, dissolving in water for drinking. In the acute phase, during therapy with homeopathic medicines, Traumeel is prescribed, it is injected under the skin several times a day or, after surgery, it is applied drip after 17-30 minutes.

    If the formation of tripel phosphates is a consequence of chronic pyelonephritis, then Compositum-cantaris and Berberis-homaccord are used as the main therapy.

    Bladder catheterization and surgery

    Catheterization is prescribed by a veterinarian if palpation shows a dense, overflowing bladder, sometimes with partial patency. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, the doctor gives a relaxant based on the anatomy of the animal and its character. The catheter is placed after the onset of anesthesia, it is carefully inserted and the formation of stones and crystals is destroyed, the accumulated urine is removed through the cavity of the instrument and the inner cavity of the bladder is treated with drugs that stop inflammation.

    At the same time, a small amount of urine is taken for laboratory research. If necessary, the catheter is fixed for several days (sutured). Immediately, drug therapy is determined, and after receiving the results of analyzes that recognize the type of struvite, diet therapy is prescribed using medicated feed.

    If only one kidney is affected by uralites, then it is removed along with the tripelphosphate growths. Surgical removal is indicated in the case of accumulation of urolithic crystals in the ureters, this refers to a mild form, and removal is not difficult. After the operation, complications arise in the form of developing renal failure, therefore, attention is paid to the implementation of recommendations for prevention.

    Effective results and positive predictions are given after the extraction of tripel phosphates from the viscera of the bladder during cystotomy. The operation consists in opening the organ and removing the urolithic crystals.

    The cat is sick: does not eat or drink, constant vomiting - possible causes

    Pulsed magnetic method

    The radiation source is applied to the area above the bladder and several sessions (up to 10) are carried out, each of which consists of 50 pulses with a power of 500 mT. Low-frequency electromagnetic radiation has an antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic effect, changes the chemical and physical properties of urine, increasing its ability to dissolve substances.

    This method is considered effective, painless and easily tolerated by cats, the procedure is worry-free, and the fatality rate is reduced to zero compared to other methods. After impulse MT, the passage of urine improves during the first three days for animals in serious condition, and the complete removal of characteristic symptoms is observed after a week.

    The magnetic impulse effect helps in cases where the urethra is filled with triple phosphates along its entire length and it is not possible to insert a catheter. The preliminary procedure not only facilitates the insertion of the catheter, but in some cases also makes it possible to dispense with the introduction. After treatment with electromagnetic current of a low frequency, relapses are noted in 14% of diseases, while traditional therapy allows recurrence of symptoms in 40% of cases.

    Phytotherapy

    Allows you to use the properties of plants to dissolve and remove urolithic formations. At the initial stage of the disease, the preparations Cat Erwin and the remedy "Phytoelite Healthy Kidneys" are prescribed.

    From herbs, they make infusions of erva woolly (half-fallen), highlander bird, parsley root, watercress, prepare decoctions of bear ears (bearberry), which can dissolve stones.

    Preventive diet

    The analysis of feeding methods showed that the choice of products is important in the prevention of the onset of the formation of triple phosphates:

    • morbidity in cats and cats receiving natural fish and meat is 17% of the total number of cases;
    • only fish dishes contribute to the development of the disease in 24%;
    • the combination of natural nutrition with artificial feed gives the highest percentage of struvite presence (38%).

    Recent research has shown that adherence to natural foods increases the risk of crystal formation, while branded dry foods reduce it. The combination of natural and artificial products is unfavorable, since it is difficult to trace the amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It is important for a pet to get the required minerals, and in old age, cats and cats have a metabolic disorder, which affects the full assimilation. In this case, feed with vitamin supplements are indispensable.

    The acidification of urine is promoted by an increase in protein in the diet due to a violation of protein metabolism and an increase in the content of uric acid. Eating only fish and meat reduces the production of vitamin B1 and leads to the appearance of an acidic environment in the ureters, this includes a lack of vitamin A. An increase in alkaline parameters and the formation of struvites is influenced by the enrichment of the diet with fish and oatmeal (phosphorus and magnesium).

    The formation of uroliths is noted in the urinary canals of overweight animals. This unnecessarily loads the urinary system, which is not adapted to utilization of decay products, which predetermines the onset of crystallization. The large weight of the cat does not allow him to actively move, which reduces metabolism.

    For feeding, high-quality dry food is used; when choosing, they pay attention to the content of magnesium, phosphorus and proteins per 100 g of the product. Branded dry granules are recommended at a rate of 37-50 g per day, and low-quality ones give 120 g each. If the content of microelements per 100 g is the same, then when eating a cheap option, the cat receives more substances than necessary.

    Fluid intake has been studied in relation to different diets, as changes in water volume affect urine and mineral content. Pay attention not only to the excretion of urine, but also to moisture in the feces, and other exports of fluid from the body. The water balance also depends on the fat content and energy.

    A diet high in fat (about 30%) increases urine output, while a low-calorie, fat-free diet increases the concentration of fluids in the stool. Regardless of the type of food, cats and cats drink 120-240 ml of water per day. The increase in the amount of water consumed is influenced by the climate, season, nutritional components, stress and other factors. The purpose of proper nutrition is:

    • prevention of overgrowth of struvite and urolith crystals in cats and cats;
    • exclusion of the formations of tripel phosphates in animals with a tendency to obesity;
    • dissolution of struvite;
    • prevention of recurrence and further growth;
    • a moderate reduction in the intake of vitamin D.

    There are specially formulated diets for each type of stone separately, as the food recommendations are different. To prevent struvite from developing, cats are given meat and other protein products, since they acidify urine and do not allow an increase in alkaline reaction. Do not use cereals in the diet, as they alkalize the body. For more urine production, arrange for sufficient drinking for the animal. The development of urolithiasis in cats and cats is an urgent problem when keeping pets, both animals and owners suffer from this. The main thing in this matter is the timely detection of the disease and an appeal to the veterinarian when the disease is at its initial stage.

These formations, which are often called struvites, like calcium oxalates, belong to uroliths (stones formed in the organs of the genitourinary system), but unlike calcium oxalate formations, they have an absolutely smooth surface and mild symptoms.

Tripelephosphates in urine are usually detected only when the owner decides on a complete examination of the pet, which is preceded by certain clinical manifestations of a negative nature. In most cases, struvite formations (tripel phosphates) appear as a result of too long stagnation of urine or the development of a bacterial infection in the genitourinary system, and their growth rate is striking. So, in a matter of days, uroliths of this type can fill the entire kidney, forming kidney corals, which at the same time have a soft porous surface and a whitish or light gray tint, despite the fact that outwardly the animal will not experience any discomfort. Problems, as a rule, begin exactly when these minerals begin to pass through the ducts, falling into other organs of the genitourinary system, or rather, into the ureters, bladder, urethra, etc.

It is quite simple to detect triple phosphates in cat urine, and this can be done in two ways, which are not mutually exclusive. We are talking about diagnostics through the use of a microscope, or by filtering urine through the finest sieve, in which crystals of urolithic formations are deposited. An indication for examining a pet is any symptoms of urolithiasis (urolithiasis), which are primarily expressed in serious urination problems. And most often we are talking about frequent urge to urinate, too small its volumes, hematuria (bloody inclusions), as well as partial or complete retention of urine. It is quite natural that such symptoms tend to be accompanied by an acute pain syndrome, as a result of which the animal purrs plaintively, constantly sits down, hides and marks everywhere.

Complicated forms of urolithiasis are accompanied by even more severe manifestations - from bleeding from the urethra and complete refusal to eat in combination with lethargy and apathy to complete urinary retention (anuria), which tends to end in fever, vomiting, convulsions and coma with all the ensuing consequences. That is why any delay only aggravates the development of the disease and it is at least stupid and shortsighted to hope that everything will go away by itself.

In order to confirm urolithiasis in a cat, urinalysis alone is not enough, and in order to obtain a complete information picture about the degree of damage to the organs of the genitourinary system of the animal, it is recommended to examine it with X-rays.

In addition, one should immediately exclude such a diagnostic method as palpation of the bladder through the abdominal wall of the animal, since it is only relevant when examining dogs. Certain limitations also exist when examining X-rays, since they tend to recognize only triple phosphates that are opaque to radiation, the size of which in cross-section exceeds 2 millimeters. To determine the presence of smaller crystals or formations, the transparency of which does not allow them to be recognized by the method indicated above, is realistic only with the help of contrasting color X-ray diffraction patterns.

Among other things, the long-standing stereotype that only struvites can be found in cats should be dispelled, because recently there have been more cases when urolithiasis in this animal was triggered by the formation of uroliths such as calcium oxalates, which have a hard, uneven surface. Therefore, the tripelphosphates found in the urine are not a reason to stop further examination of the pet, immediately starting to treat it. And all because for high-quality therapy of both types of formations, a completely different approach is required, which is subsequently combined into a single set of measures and manipulations. In addition, the placement of crystals, as well as the scale of these neoplasms, is of some importance. So, the most severe form of urolithiasis is rightfully considered the one that is caused by the accumulation of nephroliths in the kidneys, because in this case there is absolutely no possibility of their removal by surgery.

The only exception to the rule is the clinical picture in which only one kidney is affected. In this case, we can recommend its complete removal along with the overgrown urolithic crystals. The mildest form of urolithiasis is one in which struvite or other uroliths accumulate in the ureters, since then it is possible to remove them through surgery. At the same time, do not forget about possible complications that can develop into renal failure, and in order to avoid such consequences, you will have to follow certain preventive recommendations.

Quite good predictions are also given when removing triple phosphates from the bladder, which is carried out through cystostomy. We are talking about a surgical intervention involving the opening of an organ with further extraction of crystals.

Another place where education data can accumulate is the urethra, and several effective methods are used to treat urolithiasis of a similar type: massage, washing or urethrostomy, which involves removing the urinary canal and forming a new one.

These formations, which are often called struvites, like calcium oxalates, belong to uroliths (stones formed in the organs of the genitourinary system), but unlike calcium oxalate formations, they have an absolutely smooth surface and mild symptoms.

Tripelephosphates in urine are usually detected only when the owner decides on a complete examination of the pet, which is preceded by certain clinical manifestations of a negative nature. In most cases, struvite formations (tripel phosphates) appear as a result of too long stagnation of urine or the development of a bacterial infection in the genitourinary system, and their growth rate is striking. So, in a matter of days, uroliths of this type can fill the entire kidney, forming kidney corals, which at the same time have a soft porous surface and a whitish or light gray tint, despite the fact that outwardly the animal will not experience any discomfort. Problems, as a rule, begin exactly when these minerals begin to pass through the ducts, falling into other organs of the genitourinary system, or rather, into the ureters, bladder, urethra, etc.

It is quite simple to detect triple phosphates in cat urine, and this can be done in two ways, which are not mutually exclusive. We are talking about diagnostics through the use of a microscope, or by filtering urine through the finest sieve, in which crystals of urolithic formations are deposited. An indication for examining a pet is any symptoms of urolithiasis (urolithiasis), which are primarily expressed in serious urination problems. And most often we are talking about frequent urge to urinate, too small its volumes, hematuria (bloody inclusions), as well as partial or complete retention of urine. It is quite natural that such symptoms tend to be accompanied by an acute pain syndrome, as a result of which the animal purrs plaintively, constantly sits down, hides and marks everywhere.

Complicated forms of urolithiasis are accompanied by even more severe manifestations - from bleeding from the urethra and complete refusal to eat in combination with lethargy and apathy to complete urinary retention (anuria), which tends to end in fever, vomiting, convulsions and coma with all the ensuing consequences. That is why any delay only aggravates the development of the disease and it is at least stupid and shortsighted to hope that everything will go away by itself.

In order to confirm urolithiasis in a cat, urinalysis alone is not enough, and in order to obtain a complete information picture about the degree of damage to the organs of the genitourinary system of the animal, it is recommended to examine it with X-rays.

In addition, one should immediately exclude such a diagnostic method as palpation of the bladder through the abdominal wall of the animal, since it is only relevant when examining dogs. Certain limitations also exist when examining X-rays, since they tend to recognize only triple phosphates that are opaque to radiation, the size of which in cross-section exceeds 2 millimeters. To determine the presence of smaller crystals or formations, the transparency of which does not allow them to be recognized by the method indicated above, is realistic only with the help of contrasting color X-ray diffraction patterns.

Among other things, the long-standing stereotype that only struvites can be found in cats should be dispelled, because recently there have been more cases when urolithiasis in this animal was triggered by the formation of uroliths such as calcium oxalates, which have a hard, uneven surface. Therefore, the tripelphosphates found in the urine are not a reason to stop further examination of the pet, immediately starting to treat it. And all because for high-quality therapy of both types of formations, a completely different approach is required, which is subsequently combined into a single set of measures and manipulations. In addition, the placement of crystals, as well as the scale of these neoplasms, is of some importance. So, the most severe form of urolithiasis is rightfully considered the one that is caused by the accumulation of nephroliths in the kidneys, because in this case there is absolutely no possibility of their removal by surgery.

The only exception to the rule is the clinical picture in which only one kidney is affected. In this case, we can recommend its complete removal along with the overgrown urolithic crystals. The mildest form of urolithiasis is one in which struvite or other uroliths accumulate in the ureters, since then it is possible to remove them through surgery. At the same time, do not forget about possible complications that can develop into renal failure, and in order to avoid such consequences, you will have to follow certain preventive recommendations.

Quite good predictions are also given when removing triple phosphates from the bladder, which is carried out through cystostomy. We are talking about a surgical intervention involving the opening of an organ with further extraction of crystals.

Another place where education data can accumulate is the urethra, and several effective methods are used to treat urolithiasis of a similar type: massage, washing or urethrostomy, which involves removing the urinary canal and forming a new one.

Definitions of the concept " urolithiasis disease"You can give a lot. Simply put, its essence is as follows - due to metabolic disorders in the body of dogs and cats, the formation of stones in the urine and urinary tract, called uroliths or calculi, occurs.

Urine is a complex solution that is a necessary medium for the elimination of metabolic products from the body. The urine excretes metabolic products (urea and creatinine), minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphates), electrolytes (sodium and potassium), water, urine pH varies depending on the homeostatic maintenance of acid-base balance. Any deviations from the norm can lead to the development of urolithiasis in animals. Mechanical blockage of the urinary tract by calculi is the cause of urolithiasis. Stones can form both in the kidneys and in the urinary tract, but the clinical symptoms of urolithiasis are associated precisely with urinary tract disease.

Diagnosis... Urolithiasis is established by detecting calculi in fresh urine, in the bladder by ultrasound or X-ray examination, and detecting calculi during an operation to remove them. The presence of stones in urine that has stood for more than an hour does not give grounds for drawing a conclusion about urolithiasis, since uroliths can precipitate as a result of natural chemical reactions.

Uroliths vary greatly in composition - from homogeneous (cystines) to a complex mixture of minerals and even minerals and proteins. They also differ in appearance - from soft deposits of sandy material (mucoid plugs), which are mainly observed in cats and consist of a protein-like shell filled with mineral contents, to hard smooth or uneven stones, consisting mainly of minerals and small matrices. We will not describe in detail the properties of each of the stones, this is not the purpose of this article. Fellow veterinarians who are involved in in-depth study of the problem may refer to the appropriate guidelines.

The formation of stones occurs for the following reasons:

1. If the concentration of the components constituting the urolith in the urine is higher than the possibility of their dissolution and excretion without the formation of a crystal.
2. Some types of crystals are sensitive to urine pH. Thus, struvites are formed only in alkaline urine (PH> 7.0). Calcium oxalates are generally not sensitive to urine pH.
3. The formation of large crystals that can cause obstruction (blockage) of the urinary tract must occur very quickly, because with the slow formation of crystals, they are washed out of the bladder without time to cause harm.
4. The presence of a core (base) for the beginning of the formation of large urolith. These can be the remains of cells, suture material, bacteria and, according to some reports, viruses.
5. Some bacterial infections can contribute to the development of urolithiasis. Thus, some bladder infections contribute to the development of struvite urolithiasis in dogs (especially in bitches and puppies in the first year of life).

Clinical symptoms of urolithiasis

The presence of uroliths in the urinary tract can cause clinical symptoms that may or may not be noticed by the pet owner. This is especially true for cats, as they hide from their owners and their act of urination is not always seen by the owners. The main clinical symptom is the impossibility of a natural act of urination or difficulty urinating.

At the same time, the animal often sits down (cats, cats, bitches) or raises its paw (males), tries to urinate, whines, cries, urine is released in drops, often with blood.

By palpation of the abdomen, the presence of a filled bladder is established. This procedure can always be performed in cats, in dogs it is sometimes extremely difficult to palpate the abdominal wall due to the tense powerful muscles of the abdominal wall.

There are several degrees of urolithiasis:

1. Subclinical urolithiasis... Symptoms associated with the presence of uroliths in the urinary tract may be absent. Struvite, calcium oxalate, and other calcium-containing uroliths are x-ray opaque and are detectable on x-rays. Urinalysis may show elevated crystal levels and abnormal urine pH. These uroliths are usually struvite and sometimes calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate stones often have a very uneven surface and can cause symptoms (mild to severe) of urinary tract inflammation, while smooth struvites or cystines often have no clinical symptoms at all. Nephrolitis is rarely accompanied by clinical symptoms, with the exception of hematuria, until it travels to the ureter, causing obstruction (blockage) and hydronephrosis.

2. Mild symptoms of urolithiasis:

  • Some increase in the frequency of urination
  • Mild hematuria - blood staining
  • Slight increase in urination time
  • Slight discomfort while urinating
  • Enhanced licking of the genitals

3. Severe symptoms:

  • Pollakiuria - cats hardly leave their litter box, and urine drops constantly ooze in dogs
  • Urinary tenesmus (to be distinguished from constipation)
  • Severe hematuria - overt blood in the urine
  • Severe discomfort when urinating - vocalization and obvious pain
  • On palpation, the bladder is strongly distended
  • Polydipsia / polyuria in case of secondary renal failure
  • General depression and anorexia

4. Symptoms that threaten the life of the animal:

  • Anuria (lack of urination)
  • Weakness / collapse
  • Dehydration
  • On palpation, the bladder may not be found if it bursts or is anuric (otherwise it feels like a dense mass)
  • Uremic halitosis may be detected
  • Vomit
  • Convulsions

To prescribe adequate treatment, the veterinarian must be able to assess the degree of development of urolithiasis.

Diagnosis of urolithiasis

Urolithiasis is confirmed:

  • Clinical symptoms
  • Palpation of urinary bladder uroliths in dogs (difficult to palpate in cats)
  • X-ray images show X-ray opaque uroliths
  • Contrast radiographs for X-ray transparent and small (less than 2 mm in diameter) uroliths
  • Discharge of uroliths during urination (they can be collected in a mesh)

Radiography is necessary to determine the x-ray opacity, the location of the deposition, the number and size of uroliths. Usually, stones are present in several places at once, therefore, an examination of all urinary tract is necessary.

Rice. 1. Crystals of calcium oxalate in urine

In cats, urolithiasis usually resolves with the formation of struvites (tripel phosphates), but recently there has been an increase in cases of detection of calcium oxalates in the urine of cats and, even worse, mixed urolithiasis, when struvite and oxalates are present in urine at a neutral pH level of urine. Many veterinarians neglect laboratory diagnostics, relying on the prevalence of struvite in cats. I think this approach is wrong.

In dogs, ICD can proceed with the formation of all known uroliths. Therefore, laboratory visual determination of the type of stones for dogs is very important for prescribing treatment. A 10 ml fresh urine sample sediment should be microscoped immediately after collection at body temperature because time, cooling, or evaporation of urine can accelerate crystal precipitation and give false positive or paradoxical results. Most of the widespread crystals in urine have a typical appearance, and with a large number of them, one can judge the composition of the urolith, or at least its outer layer.


Rice. 2. Struvites



Rice. 3. Struvites and erythrocytes in urine

Treatment of urolithiasis

The choice of the correct treatment depends on the location (s) of the uroliths:

Kidney- Nephroliths are very difficult to remove surgically, unless they are concentrated in one kidney. Then a nephrectomy (removal of the kidney) is possible. With nephrolitis, post-renal renal failure may develop. Dissolution of struvite uroliths is possible by prescribing a special diet.

Ureters- uroliths lying in the ureters are successfully removed surgically, but one should remember about the possibility of developing postrenal renal failure.

Bladder- Treatment depends on the type of uroliths. Struvites, urates, and sometimes cystines can be dissolved, while calcium oxalates and other calcium- and silica-containing uroliths are removed surgically by a conventional cystotomy (opening the bladder and removing stones).

Urethra- depending on how the uroliths are located, several types of treatment are used:

1) Manipulation - manual massage(often used for cats with sand plugs) or catheterization a small polyurethane catheter (for example, a special Jackson catheter for cats or a medical subclavian catheter with a diameter of 0.6 - 0.8 mm).

Although catheterization is often used to dislodge or break up uroliths in cats and some dog breeds, this method of treatment is the most dangerous for the following reasons:

  • it injures tissue, which leads to fibrosis and scarring, followed by narrowing of the urethra;
  • brings the infection into the urinary tract.

2) Retrograde urethral lavage followed by dissolution (struvite, urate and cystine) or cystotomy (calcium oxalate, other calcium and silica-containing uroliths) is the only treatment for urethral urolithiasis.

Method of retrograde flushing of urethral calculi

The animal is given general anesthesia or strong sedatives. Then the following actions are performed:

  • Empty the bladder by cystocentesis (puncture of the bladder through the abdominal wall)
  • Through the rectum, fingers squeeze the urethra opposite the pubis, below the urolith (this requires an assistant)
  • A sterile catheter is inserted into the distal urethra
  • Secures the penile urethra around the catheter
  • Sterile saline solution is injected into the catheter through a syringe
  • When the intraluminal pressure reaches the desired point, the assistant removes the fingers and releases the urethra
  • Under the pressure of the saline solution, the urolith is returned back to the bladder
  • You can repeat the procedure several times.

Recurrence of obstruction is very rare after retrograde lavage. In cats, this method, as a rule, is not used; in males, this low-traumatic method is often recommended for use.

3) Urethrostomy used for males when manipulation or retrograde lavage has not been successful. A urethrostomy creates a permanent opening in the urethra. This method is used for recurrent obstructions of the penile urethra in males and sometimes in males. Although this is the only treatment for animals with persistent urethral obstruction, it must be used with caution because some reports indicate that 17% of male urethrostomy cases result in postoperative urinary tract infection. In 10% of cats, urethrostomy and dietary changes also result in postoperative infection, while none of the cats treated with a diet has a urinary tract infection.

Dissolution

You can dissolve struvite, urate and cystine calculi... This is the only non-life threatening method of stone removal in animals with urolithiasis. Dilution is used for kidney or bladder stones. If a urinary tract infection is present, antibiotics are given as part of treatment based on urine culture and susceptibility testing. Details of the treatment are discussed below.

Struvites (magnesium ammonium phosphate, tripel phosphates)... To dissolve struvite stones, it is sufficient to strictly adhere to special veterinary diets. They are widely represented on the Russian market; any veterinary clinic in Moscow and large cities of Russia can offer a veterinary diet for your pet. We successfully use feed from Purina (UR) and Hills (s / d, c / d).

These foods will acidify the urine by causing the struvite to dissolve. In addition, the increased sodium content of these diets stimulates diuresis (urination), which helps to flush the bladder and eliminate accumulated salts as quickly as possible. In case of urolithiasis not complicated by bacterial infections, treatment with special diets brings positive results already 4-5 days after the start of treatment. It should be noted that the earliest possible visit to the veterinarian and the early diagnosis of urolithiasis contributes to the speedy recovery of the animal and minimizes possible relapses of the disease. It is of great importance that the owner adheres to the feeding regime of the animal. ANYTHING, except for a special diet, CANNOT be GIVEN to the animal anymore !!!

Quality control of treatment is carried out by laboratory tests of urine and X-ray diagnostics of the presence of stones in the bladder. In the absence of stones in the urine and in the images, the treatment is recognized as effective and the owner's task in the future is a MANDATORY urine test at least once every six months. The optimal, in our opinion, the period of control delivery of tests is 3 months.

The pH of urine is assessed in a laboratory, as well as the presence and analysis of urine sediment, determination of the type and amount of urinary crystals.

Treatment of insoluble uroliths

-Calcium oxalates
Oxalatocalcium uroliths are more common in certain dog breeds (Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers), and in recent years they have become much more common, especially in cats.
Unfortunately, this type of crystals is completely insoluble, and the treatment of this type of urolithiasis is performed exclusively surgically, by removing stones from the bladder. Sometimes 3-4 operations are required per year if the rate of formation of oxalates is very high.
To prevent relapse, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of calcium and oxalate in the urine. Prevention is possible with special diets (Hills x / d, Eucanuba Oxalat Urinary Formula, etc.). I will repeat myself. PREVENTION. But not dissolution of oxalate calculi!

-Calcium phosphates
Phosphate-calcium crystalluria manifests itself in various forms: both in amorphous (calcium phosphates) and in the form of calcium hydrophosphates (brushite). These minerals are often present in mixed uroliths along with struvite, urate or calcium oxalate. Most calcium phosphate crystals (with the exception of brushite) are sensitive to urine pH and are formed in alkaline urine.
A medical protocol for dissolving these uroliths has not yet been developed, so surgical removal and prevention of hypercalciuria (as in the case of calcium oxalate urolithiasis) is recommended, but not alkalinization of the urine.

-Silicon dioxide (silicates)
Silicate uroliths are rare in dogs. They are called "Jack stones". The etiopathogenesis of these uroliths is not fully understood, but it is believed that the risk of these stones is increased if the dog eats soil or soil-contaminated vegetables (rutabagas, beets). Personally, I have never encountered this type of urolithiasis.
In case of clinical symptoms, the only treatment is surgical removal of stones, and as a preventive measure it is recommended to ensure that the dog does not eat the soil or vegetation that is contaminated with it.