BLADDER AND KIDNEY STONES IN CATS
When I was a teenager, about 50 years ago, we lost a beloved male cat to a kidney blockage. Back then there were not healthy choices in cat food, nor modern scientific remedies. Today a cat owner does not need to feed Cat Chow or Meow Mix or Friskies or any other substandard, and potentially damaging diets. Or the remedial diets offered by most vets.
Just as is people and other animals, a cat’s kidneys are multi-functional. They filter metabolic wastes such as urea-a substance formed by the breakdown of protein in the liver, as well as mineral salts, and toxins from the blood. The kidneys help regulate “the volume of body fluids and the blood levels of important chemicals and hormones; initiate the recirculation of purified blood throughout an animal’s system; and facilitate the excretion of the filtered-out waste products (mixed with water to form urine) before they reach toxic concentrations in the body.” As an adult, I have had many cats, none of which developed kidney problems, and never the potentially deadly urolithiasis which is the formation of small stones or uroliths.
The feline upper tract contains two kidneys with a tube, the ureter, extending from each which take the waste containing urine to the lower tract, to the bladder and then through the urethra, a tube which extends from the bladder to the exit of the body. There are naturally occurring minerals that may become highly concentrated leading to the formation of crystals and then stones anywhere in the urinary tract system. Bladder stones can be struvite or calcium oxalate but kidney stones only are calcium oxalate. Urinary problems are most seen in male house cats that do not get enough exercise, drink enough liquids or have a poor diet. Dr. Richard Goldstein of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says that some bladder stones stay small and may just pass through without a problem while others become large and painful, irritating the tender lining causing internal bleeding which can show up in the pet’s litter box, and may lead to a blockage. A complete blockage does not allow for poisonous waste to be eliminated and results in emergency measures, and a possible fatal outcome. Kidney stones must become quite large for there to be a noticeable problem.
Dr. Goldstein says that surgical removal of kidney stones is not recommended unless the stones are causing significant obstruction or infection. Bladder stones can be more easily corrected through surgery or with a laser. Stones can reoccur unless proper medicinal and dietary steps are taken. Keeping water clean and fresh is a must. I watch my cats go to their water bowls and sometimes walk away. Then I know that the water is not fresh enough or cool enough for their liking. I keep bowls upstairs and downstairs and on the enclosed porch. And as recommended, 50% of their diet is wet food. They get some quality canned food in the morning and at night.
One of our customers was advised to buy Royal Canin SO for her cat’s urinary tract’s health. Not only is the bag costing her about $100 (Chewy sells a 7.5 pound bag for $59.99) but the food is crap and her cat does not like it. The first eight ingredients are as follows: chicken by-product meal, brewer’s rice, corn, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, wheat gluten, natural flavors, wheat, and salt. Fact-check the internet for the integrity of these ingredients. We sell the Wysong Uretic cat food in 5-pound bags for $26.99, your 12th bag is free and it is 100% guaranteed to be agreeable to your cat in every way. The ingredients are notably: Organic chicken, brown rice, blueberry, DL-Methionine, Cranberry extract, Taurine, and Organic barley grass flour. What a difference in quality and price! The Weruva brand cat wet food we sell, has many delectable choices for cats with diet restrictions.
Next week same urinary tract issues with dogs. Thanks for helping to keep a small business in business.
