Surgery for Feline Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, or nephrolithiasis, form in cats when mineral wastes are not properly removed from the body, resulting in mineral crystals that travel through the urinary system and eventually grow into stones. Stones that block the ureters can lead to the backup of urine in the kidneys, which can damage the kidneys and result in death if left untreated. Dietary changes may break down stones in less severe cases, but if these measures fail--or if the symptoms are advanced from the start--surgery may be the only viable option.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of kidney stones in cats include frequent urination, which may occur in small amounts and outside of the litter box. There may also be blood in the urine. Additional symptoms include diminished appetite, listlessness, weakness and vomiting.

    Identification

    • Most kidney stones in cats will show up in an X-ray, although smaller stones may only be visible through an ultrasound. Since bladder infections often accompany kidney stones, a veterinarian may also test for the presence of bacteria in the urine.

    Diet

    • Cats with kidney stones who are not exhibiting serious symptoms may initially be treated with dietary changes. Special cat food formulas for kidney conditions are available with lower protein, phosphorus and magnesium content, since these ingredients have been found to contribute to stone formation.

    Surgery

    • Kidney stones that don't respond to dietary changes may need to be removed surgically. In some cases, damage to a kidney may be severe enough to warrant removal of the entire organ. Fortunately, a cat can survive with one kidney that functions.

    Prevention

    • Once a cat demonstrates that it has a propensity to develop kidney stones, it is important to monitor its diet even after the kidney stones have been removed to prevent the formation of new stones.