Like humans, cats can also suffer from the formation of calculations in your urinary system.As we will see in this article of Animals and Pets Online, food will play a fundamental role both in the dissolution of the calculations and in its consolidation.That is why, as a basic aspect of the treatment, we will talk about the cat diet with kidney stones .
In addition to food, keeping the cat always well hydrated will be essential to control this unpleasant problem, so pay close attention to his behavior.
Types of kidney stones in cats
Calculations, popularly known as "stones", are formed by the deposit of different substances in the urinary system.Those that form in the kidneys must reach the bladder to be expelled.As the calculations can be of very different sizes, this will determine whether or not its exit with the urine is feasible, or if they will be large enough to cause a total or partial obstruction in some point of the urinary system.
In its formation the pH of the urine is also very important, since it will influence whether it is more or menosacid or alkaline.Also, the calculations are classified according to its composition and on it depends the diet for cats with kidney stones.In this way, we will find the following:
- Struvite calculations : they are the most common.They are formed by ammonium and magnesium phosphate in alkaline urine.It is easy to occur after an infection of urine, since crystals can be deposited around bacteria.They also appear in young cats.
- Calcium oxalate stones : they are formed in acidic urine, in cats with a high concentration of calcium in the urine.
Symptoms of kidney stones in cats
A cat with calculations will show symptoms such as the following:
- Use the sandbox many more times than usual.
- Urine out of the tray.
- Maulla of pain .
- Lick the genital area.
- Presents hematuria , that is , blood in the urine.
Any of these symptoms is a reason for veterinary consultation to establish the diagnosis, treatment and, if necessary, the diet for cats with kidney stones.
Detection of kidney stones in cats
Although sometimes it is possible to palpate the calculi of a larger size located in the bladder, in most cases these are going to be discovered by x-rays or ultrasound .they perform urine tests.
In any case, both the spontaneously expelled stones and those that require surgical extraction should be examined to determine what type they are , since that Data depends on the treatment and, therefore, knowing what to feed the cat with kidney stones.
Treatment of kidney stones in cats
First of all, if in addition to the calculations the cat is suffering from a urinary infection, the veterinarian will have to treat it with antibiotics .Depending on the type of calculation in question, some they will be able to dissolve and, therefore, be expelled, just following the proper diet for a few weeks or months.
For calculations that cannot be eliminated otherwise, we will have to resort to surgery .This treatment will also be necessary for those who are causing an obstruction in the urinary system, since it is an emergency.Also, there may be recurrence with the departure of new calculations.Another option to eliminate them is the hydropropulsion .
Feeding for cats with kidney stones
As we said, the diet for cats with kidney stones will depend on the type of calculation we face.For sale we can find different products specially formulated for elimination .We can choose between feed or wet food in a can or in a sachet, the latter range being recommended, since increasing hydration and, consequently, the amount of urine, also favors the elimination of these stones.
In addition to the adequate food that we Recommend our veterinarian, it is essential that the cat increase the intake of water .To achieve this we can have several drinking fountains, some source, since they like the water in motion, and, always, must be clean water and fresh.We must know that calcium oxalate stones cannot dissolve.
If you have difficulty getting your cat to stay well hydrated, do not miss this article: "How to make your cat drink more water? ".
Homemade diet for cats with kidney stones
If we prefer to feed our cat with homemade food, it is important that we take into account the following recommendations when making the menu.Of course, the cat must have been diagnosed by the veterinarian and with it we should consult the diet:
- If we have to destroy struvite crystals , the foods to dissolve these kidney stones in cats are those low in magnesium, phosphorus and protein.Among the foods Rich in magnesium that we should avoid are canned sardines, brown rice, some cheeses, rabbit and fish such as salmon or tuna.Rich in phosphorus would be salmon, eggs, cheese, meat or sardines./li>
- As for the calcium oxalate calculations , they cannot be undone with food but we can prevent the formation of more.A moist diet is recommended, so we can prepare a crushed menu, adding water to increase hydra It is necessary to avoid diets low in phosphorus, vitamin B6 or protein and high in vitamin D.
- Adding polyunsaturated fatty acids also reduces the formation of calculations.Kidney stones in cats should be rich in omega 3 and 6, although we can also add stiff foods to your diet as a supplement, always under veterinary supervision.
- It is advisable to provide the food several times a day.
At this point we must insist that, in a matter of calculations, feeding is part of the treatment, just as if it were a medication, so it is difficult to offer the cat a homemade diet with the exposed characteristics, either we resort to a veterinarian specialized in nutrition or we opt for a commercial diet.If the cat rejects it we can use tricks such as heating the food or, if I think, moisten it.
This article is merely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian.in case you have any type of condition or discomfort.
Bibliography
- Real, Llibertat. Nutritional management of urolithiasis in cats. Ateuves 56, pages 12-16.
Comments
Post a Comment