Urolithiasis or urolithiasis is a metabolic disorder that leads to the formation of sand or stones (urolytes) in the urine. This process takes place directly in the urinary tract, kidneys, or the bladder itself. The fact is that urine removes metabolic products from the body, and as soon as the slightest violation occurs in the proportion of these substances, sand or stones immediately form. The ailment can then develop for several years, and may even progress quite quickly, leading to a fatal outcome.
The main reasons for the development of urolithiasis in dogs and cats are malnutrition, the presence of systemic diseases and infectious agents. Urolithiasis sometimes occurs and if the animal has a hereditary predisposition. However, to this day in veterinary practice to establish for certain this fact was not possible.
Urolithiasis in animals such as cats and dogs, runs absolutely unnoticed for their owners. Pets can initially not be at all concerned, the appetite is not disturbed, the coat is normal, and the owners, as a rule, notice not immediately after the animal suffers trying to go to the toilet. And this is sad, because at the first stage such a disease is treated quickly and without a trace by a simple and inexpensive medication.
Any animal is affected by this disease, regardless of age, conditions of life and breed. However, it is believed that the most difficult and with a large percentage of the tragic outcome of urolithiasis is manifested in cats. This is due to the structure of their urethra - it has a C-shaped bend, in addition, the body itself is rather narrow, which makes it difficult to pass through it even sand, not to mention the stones. As a result, there is often a complete blockage of the urethra, as a result, if the cat is not given emergency veterinary care, the consequences will be extremely sad. As a result of urinary retention, kidney dysfunction, brain edema may develop, sudden cardiac arrest may occur, and the animal will die.
Symptoms of the disease in dogs and cats
Urolithiasis of dogs, cats and other animals can not be manifested for a long time. The set of its symptoms depends only on the size, location and shape of the formed stones. If the stones are small and do not get stuck in the urethra, they do not interfere with the outflow of urine, they do not have sharp edges that can cause pain and damage the surface of the mucosa, then the disease can take a long time and absolutely unnoticed for the owner of the animal. Stones within the body can also "grow" over time - from one year to several years.
There are several degrees of urolithiasis in animals:
1 degree - crystals begin to form in the urinary ways of the animal. In such cases, the owners do not notice any change in the behavior of their pet.
2 degree - some initial symptoms of the disease begin to appear. The animal goes to the toilet more often, the longer it is there, unpleasant sensations begin when urinating, and a little blood appears in the urine. The owners notice that the pet lickens his genitals more often.
3 degree - the pronounced symptoms of the disease begin to manifest. An animal in a depressed state, it very often feels like urinating, cats almost always "sit down". In the urine, obviously the presence of blood, the process of urination is extremely painful, usually accompanied by a meow or howling. The animal lies very carefully, almost does not show activity. You can feel the compaction of the bladder.
4 degree - there is a threat to the life of the animal. Urolithiasis is accompanied by complete cessation of urination, the animal constantly tears, the body is dehydrated, convulsions begin.
Do not try to self-medicate if you have any symptoms of the disease in your pet! You will only lose precious time. Be sure to take the animal to the veterinary clinic, where blood and urine tests will be done. They are not produced in every clinic. Therefore, ask in advance about the presence of a laboratory in the clinic. So you will get the test results faster.
Then it will be necessary to make an X-ray, which will establish the presence of stones, their size, shape and exact location. Sometimes veterinarians offer to conduct ultrasound - this method, although it will not provide any information about the stones and sand, but will give an opportunity to assess the changes in the organs caused by the disease.
How is urolithiasis treated?
Treatment depends on the degree of disease, on how large the stones are, and the age and condition of the animal. The goal of any method is the complete removal of stones from the body of the animal.
Conservative treatment is applicable only at the first stages of the disease. Along with the appointment of medications, the doctor must prescribe an animal strict diet. Usually it involves the exclusion from the diet of all products provoking the appearance of sand and stones. This list for each patient is compiled separately, based on the results of the analyzes, since the stones and sand are of a very individual nature.
Catheterization is a method for removing sand and small stones from the bladder. It is carried out with the help of a catheter (instrument in the form of a tube), injected directly into the urinary canal.
Urethrostomy - this method is used in the presence of larger stones, with a strong blockage of the urethra. This is a surgical operation that allows you to install a permanent hole in the urethra through which stones will be removed.
Cystotomy - it opens the cavity of the bladder to remove the stones from it. These measures are taken if the stones are huge, in which they can not be extracted with less radical methods.
Upon completion of the treatment, it must be remembered that your pet has suffered a serious illness. It is important to do everything so that he does not get sick again. From the ration of the animal must be excluded products that can provoke new stones. It will be necessary to regularly (once a year) show the animal to the doctor and the house closely monitor his condition and behavior. Only by observing these simple rules, you will protect your pet from ailment and will enjoy his company for many years.