How to diagnose urinary calculi in dogs and cats

Diagnosing urinary calculi in dogs and cats usually involves three methods. The first is to check for the presence of crystals through routine urine testing. The second is to use ultrasound to detect calculus with strong echoes in the bladder or kidneys. The third is to discover calculi in the kidneys or bladder through X-ray examination or urinary tract contrast imaging. These three tests can detect calculi.

Causes of urinary calculi

Urological lesions are a significant condition for the formation of urinary calculi. Urological inflammation can cause tissue necrosis, and the accumulation of inflammatory exudates and bacteria forms the core of the calculi, surrounded by mineral salts and colloidal substances that coagulate to form stones. Many bacteria can also cause precipitation of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate, which promotes the formation of urinary calculi.

Clinical features of urinary calculi

When bladder calculi occur, affected dogs and cats will have difficulty urinating, hematuria, and frequent visits to the toilet, but with minimal output each time. When touching the bladder, its sensitivity increases. When the stones are at the bladder neck, urination difficulty and pain occur. Larger stones can be felt externally.

Rapid treatment for urinary calculi

Ensure that your dog or cat drinks plenty of water. When feeding canned food, you can add purified water to make a soup. Drinking enough water can alleviate symptoms of urinary calculi. In terms of medication, you can choose traditional Chinese medicines such as Urinary Comfort powder, Plantain Seed, Stone-removing Decoction, and Calculus-relieving Medicine. Dosage can be reduced according to pediatric guidelines, and the medicine can be given via injection, tube feeding, or mixed with cat food. If you notice your dog or cat frequently visiting the litter box without urinating, consult a veterinarian immediately for urinary catheterization, which is a simple and safe procedure that is highly effective.