What is a Homeopathic Cat Bladder Stone Treatment?

Identification

• The illness is caused by an invasion of mucus that contains small stones in the bladder and urethra. The mucus substance is introduced to the feline through viral and bacterial infections and contaminated food or water sources. Demonstrated symptoms of felines suffering from this condition include: strained attempts to produce urine, uncontrolled urination outside of the litter box, bloody urine, pain that is expressed vocally when urinating, small amounts of urine being produced and frequent trips to the litter box.

Goals

• Homeopathic therapy for the condition focuses strongly on accomplishing a complete healing through treatment and preventative medicine. Followup is necessary to protect the animal from relapse and recurrence of the disease, as this particular ailment has a tendency to become chronic. The treatment you choose should address the presence of infection through the administration of antibacterial herbs. Herbs to boost the immune system should also be included to counteract the destructive organisms present in the bladder and urethra and to expedite recovery. Another important focus is to increase the flow of urine. The flushing action will enable the removal of bacteria and even smaller stones that are trapped in the tract. The final objective is to soothe the irritated bladder and urethra. Constant irritation can develop into a chain of spasms coming from the urethral walls which causes the urine to pool and inevitably provides an ideal environment for the formation of stones and bacterial infection.

Herbs

• Kidd suggests the use of dandelion, Oregon grape, nettle and cranberry. Dandelion is known as a diuretic herb, which means that it will increase the production of urine. It should only be used if your cat is currently able to eliminate urine; otherwise, it will cause internal pooling which will make the problem worse. Dandelion is also used for its healing contributions to the gallbladder and liver and provides potassium; whereas, most diuretics drain the body of this vital nutrient. The benefits of using Oregon grape are attributed to its high concentrations of berberine. Berberine is a potent antimicrobial, and the herb is used to treat infections. The nettle s used to provide additional relief for felines that are experiencing pain with urination, and the cranberry is used to acidify the urine which counteracts the growth of bacteria.

Preparation

• The Oregon grape and dandelion must be given to your cat in the form of a tincture. Tinctures are made by combining fresh herbs and vegetable glycerin in a clean glass jar, completely covering the herbal content with the liquid, and tightly closing the jar with an airtight lid. The jar must then sit unopened for six to eight weeks stored in a dark place. Occasionally the jar should be shaken. After the required time has passed the contents of the jar are strained into bottles or droppers. If your cat currently is suffering from this condition, it is recommended that you purchase your tinctures from a health foods store. But for preventative measures, it may be useful to make some at home. The nettle is made into a tea, and the cranberry is added to the food in powdered form that is widely available in capsules at most grocery stores.

Administration

• Kidd recommends the dosage of two drops of each herbal tincture five to six times a day. After the symptoms have been resolved he recommends a preventative dosage of six drops of the dandelion tincture daily. The nettle tea and cranberry powder should be sprinkled onto your cat's food, ½ tbsp. daily.