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Bladder stones are relatively common among our feline friends. These stones are formed from minerals in your cat’s urinary bladder and harden into rock-like structures. A cat could have multiple small stones, almost like gravel, or a few large ones. Of course, this is a problem for your feline friend. Read on as your vet Hyattsville, MD tells you more about bladder stones in cats and what can be done.
How can I tell if my cat has bladder stones?
The most common signs of bladder stones are blood in the urine and a visible struggle to urinate. You might hear your cat crying out in pain while they’re using the litter box; this is because bladder stones can be quite painful. You might notice visible blood in your cat’s litter box, too. Keep your veterinary clinic Hyattsville, MD phone number on hand to call if you need to.
Cats with bladder stones may also urinate outside of their litter box. However, this could be caused by a variety of behavioral and medical ailments, like anxiety or urinary tract infections. Ask your vets Hyattsville, MD for more details on these problems.
If you do see the above symptoms, call ahead to your animal hospital Hyattsville, MD and set up an appointment. If possible, collect a sample of your cat’s urine and bring it along to the vet’s office. This can help in diagnosis.
How are bladder stones treated?
If a urine sample is available, your veterinarian Hyattsville, MD will run various tests on it. He or she may also palpate the bladder to physically feel stones. X-rays and ultrasound scans can also help to visualize the stones within Fluffy’s bladder.
Treatment for minor cases of bladder stones may be as simple as a dietary adjustment. Your vet clinic Hyattsville, MD will prepare or recommend a prescription diet that’s made to dissolve the stones in your cat’s bladder. This diet will probably need to be fed for several weeks or months until the stones are fully eliminated. Of course, your vet will be there every step of the way to make sure your cat is recovering properly.
If your cat’s bladder stones are large, they may not be able to be successfully dissolved through diet alone. In this case, surgery is usually the only option. This involves putting your cat under anesthesia and surgically opening the bladder to remove the stones. Cats usually take about one or two weeks to recover from the surgery. Ask your pet clinic Hyattsville, MD about post-surgical protocol.
Are bladder stones preventable?
You may not be able to prevent bladder stones from developing in every case. But there are steps you can take to make them less likely. First of all, regular veterinary check-ups at your veterinarians Hyattsville, MD are essential. Your vet can perform a urinalysis, ultrasound scans, and other tests to check for the formation of stones. Monitoring in this way can detect stones early, making treatment easier.
If your cat has had bladder stones in the past, ask your veterinary clinic Hyattsville, MD about a prescription diet. This can help prevent stones from forming in the first place.
Want to learn more about bladder stones in cats? Give your animal hospital Hyattsville, MD a call today. We’re always here to help with your most important pet care needs.
