Disorder - Urolithiasis

Organ Systems Involved
Urogenital

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Cystinuria; Nephrolithiasis; Urolith, KMgP

Alternative Names
Stones/calculi of the urinary tract

Presenting Signs

Urolithiasis is a condition where stones form in the urinary bladder or in the lower urinary tract. Symptoms vary; some cats may have difficulty urinating, straining to urinate, more frequent urination and blood in the urine. Severely affected cats can have complete blockage of the urethra and serious systemic (widespread) illness.

Cats at Risk

Male cats have an increased risk of urethral obstruction with uroliths (stones) compared with female cats. There are different risk factors associated with the different types of stones. Neutered male cats are more likely to develop calcium oxalate stones, whereas female cats are more likely to develop struvite calculi. Calcium oxalate is more prevalent with increasing age. Struvite urolithiasis is more common in one to two year old cats.

Breeds Affected
Burmese
Persian


Treatment

Medical and surgical. Surgery and catheterisation is necessary to remove stones lodged in the urethra. Stones can be removed from the bladder by urohydropropulsion (flushing of the bladder using a catheter) if they are small enough. Cystotomy (cutting into the bladder) with manual removal of larger stones may be necessary. Medical management differs according to stone composition. Different diets are recommended for prevention and management of the different types of stones, whether struvite, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, ammonium urate or cysteine.

PubMed References
Urolithiasis

Contributor
Fiona Simpson