2023-11-10 15:00:00
Shin Seong-woo, CEO of Dongtan Blue Bear Animal Hospital, Peer Free Focused Care
The smell of cat urine is very unpleasant. This is because the ability to concentrate urine has developed. A cat’s kidneys reabsorb as much water as possible so that they can survive even if they only drink a little water. However, the less water you drink, the more concentrated the urine becomes, making it easier for stones to form in the urinary tract. In fact, urinary stones are a disease commonly observed in cats.
The urinary tract is connected in that order: kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Stones most often form in the bladder, but can also form in the kidneys. The ureters are passages that connect the kidneys and bladder. Since the lumen diameter is 0.4mm, it can become blocked even if the stone is only 1mm in size. For this reason, kidney stones may travel down the ureters toward the bladder and block the ureters, which are called ureteral stones. Ureteral stones are the biggest cause of ureteral obstruction.
The problem with ureteral obstruction is that if the ureter is blocked, urine cannot pass out of the kidney and becomes full. In cat kidneys, there is a renal pelvis, a space that temporarily stores urine, where urine accumulates and expands. This is called hydronephrosis. If hydronephrosis is left untreated, the kidneys may gradually break down and lose function.
Even if one kidney has hydronephrosis, there may not be any abnormalities if the other kidney is working normally. It is difficult for even guardians to notice. However, when hydronephrosis occurs in both kidneys, problems begin to appear. These are loss of appetite, low energy, and intermittent vomiting. Kidney failure may also occur. For this reason, before an emergency situation occurs in which both ureters are blocked, it is recommended to undergo ultrasound and radiography once a year to check for ureteral stones or kidney stones.
If you are diagnosed with ureteral stones, ‘subcutaneous ureteral bypass surgery’ is performed. Subcutaneous ureteral bypass surgery is a surgery that leaves the blocked ureter intact and installs an artificial ureter that connects the kidney and bladder. If the artificial ureter is blocked later, it can be unclogged using a port installed between the skin and abdominal muscles. Artificial ureters require periodic cleaning, which is a hassle, but this can also be done through a port. Subcutaneous ureteral bypass surgery is the most effective surgery, but it is a difficult surgery and the prognosis may vary depending on the experience and skill of the veterinarian.
Sufficient water intake is essential to prevent stones. The recommended daily amount of water for cats is 50ml/kg. We know that many owners are trying to increase their cat’s water intake. If your cat seems to be lacking in drinking water, try various methods such as ▲ placing water bowls in multiple locations, ▲ installing a cat fountain, ▲ soaking food in water, or ▲ feeding dry food and wet food alternately.
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