When I noticed drops of blood in the litter box and saw how much pain my cat “Oliver” was suffering, I wanted to do something immediately to try and help him. At first I wasn’t sure what was wrong, but after a quick visit to his veterinarian it became apparent that we were dealing with a stone called struvite. The veterinarian put Oliver on an antibiotic along with a special diet and after a few weeks the stones seemed to be completely gone. Now some four years later Oliver is still healthy and without any symptoms of stones. Treating stones is however not always that easy and permanent. Depending on the type of stone found, treatment could vary a considerable amount.
Similar to any liquid, the urine has the ability to dissolve a variety of substances in it. Depending on the acidity, alkalinity, concentration of dissolved solids, and other conditions, solids may not dissolve as easily or as completely. “Stones” are a result of having solids that do not properly or completely dissolve. Struvite stones are generally the most common kind and they form when the urine is more alkaline. Oxalate stones are also extremely common and take the number two spot in numbers diagnosed and they prefer an acidic environment to begin formation. As a generality, struvite stones are more common in females and oxalate stones are more common in males. While it is possible to dissolve struvite stones if the environment is made favorable, oxalate stones do not so easily dissolve.
Other stones may occur due to excessive protein intake. The pet with the excess protein may not metabolize urea properly causing urate stones. Another type of chemical that can accumulate and cause stones is an amino acid called cysteine. Cysteine stones form when protein buildup creates high levels of cysteine.
When attempting to treat or prevent stone formation there are several methods used such as modification of diet up to and including possible surgery. It is possible to slow down the formation of oxalate stones and prevent additional ones from forming by putting the pet on a special diet. Diet however will not dissolve oxalate stones because those are very difficult if not impossible to dissolve. Struvite and urate stones on the other hand can be dissolved by giving the pet a special diet. Hills S/D is the food recommended for struvite and Hills U/D is generally recommended for urate stones. Anything that also increases fluid intake would be helpful for this condition that’s why some veterinarians recommend a moist food diet.
In cases where the stones cannot be managed by diet, surgery might be the only other choice. Oxalate stones may require surgery because they don’t dissolve so readily like the other stones when the environment is modified. Surgery may also be the only choice when there is an obstruction. Although surgery is the quickest way to get rid of stones, it also has potential to increase the risk of infection. Surgery also introduces the risks that come with general anesthesia and as well as increased risks of causing an infection. Although the ultrasound that is sometimes used in humans to break down stones is not readily available or used much in pets, a method called urohydropropulsion is often used instead to flush out the stones.
There are several medications that are recommended to help with treating stones. Antibiotics are usually used because many stones are caused by bacterial byproducts. Another medication that may be helpful in some cases is called allopurinol. Acetohydroxamic acid has been used to in the treatment of uric acid stones. For cysteine stones, 2-MPG which lowers cysteine levels has been shown to offer some benefits.
Another option that may help in the treatment of stones is to alter the acidity and alkalinity of the urine depending on what kind of stones are being treated. Since struvite stones do better in an alkaline environment, making the urine more acidic helps. Other stones that like an acidic environment such as oxalate stones, making the urine more alkaline could help a great deal. Since oxalate stones do not dissolve, increasing the pH (making the urine more basic) is only used to prevent further formations but will not treat the ones already present. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can be used to make the urine more acidic and potassium citrate has been used to make the urine more basic.
Kidney and bladder stones are potentially dangerous and must be taken care of as soon as the first sign of their presence is noticed. A veterinarian must be contacted to properly diagnose the pet and to develop a good treatment plan. In most cases treatment is as simple as changing the diet; however, left untreated these stones could cause obstructions and become potentially life-threatening. If left untreated these stones can also be extremely uncomfortable and painful for the pet.
If you have any medication related questions your 1800PetMeds pharmacist is a phone call away, so don’t hesitate to call. Most of us in the pharmacy are pet owners ourselves and love to help other pet owners with medication related questions and concerns.
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