Cálculos na bexiga em cães e gatos: causas, tratamento e prevenção
Pálculos na bexiga (urólitos) causam dor ao urinar, sangue na urina e podem bloquear a uretra – uma emergência com risco de vida em gatos machos. Aprenda como eles se formam e como evitá-los.
Pedras na bexiga (urólitos) são formações minerais que se desenvolvem dentro da bexiga urinária. Eles variam desde o tamanho de grãos de areia até pedras com vários centímetros de diâmetro. Os tipos mais comuns são estruvita (fosfato de amônio e magnésio) e oxalato de cálcio. Pedras na bexiga causam dor, inflamação e obstrução urinária – o que é uma emergência com risco de vida, especialmente em gatos machos cuja uretra estreita é facilmente bloqueada.
Pontos-chave
- Bladder stones affect both dogs and cats — male cats are at highest risk of dangerous urethral blockage
- Struvite stones are often caused by urinary tract infections; calcium oxalate stones by diet and genetics
- Symptoms include bloody urine, frequent urination, straining, and accidents outside the litter box
- Diagnosis requires X-rays or ultrasound — urinalysis alone cannot confirm stones
- Treatment is either surgical removal (cystotomy) or dissolution diets (for struvite stones only)
- Prevention includes prescription urinary diets, increased water intake, and regular urinalysis
Types of Bladder Stones
Struvite stones: most common in dogs, often caused by urinary tract infections that make urine alkaline. Can be dissolved with prescription diets. Calcium oxalate stones: most common in cats, cannot be dissolved — require surgical removal. Urate stones: associated with liver disease in dogs. Prevention strategies differ by stone type, so identifying the stone type is critical.
Urethral Blockage Emergency
In male cats, bladder stones or crystals can block the narrow urethra, preventing urination entirely. This is a life-threatening emergency — without treatment within 24-48 hours, toxins build up and the bladder can rupture. Signs: straining in the litter box with no urine output, crying in pain, lethargy, vomiting. If your male cat cannot urinate, go to the vet IMMEDIATELY.
Treatment Options
Surgical: cystotomy (opening the bladder to remove stones) is the most common treatment. Dissolution: struvite stones can sometimes be dissolved with prescription diets (Hill's s/d, Royal Canin SO) over 2-4 weeks. Laser lithotripsy: breaks stones into fragments that can be flushed out. Prevention diets are prescribed after stone analysis to prevent recurrence.
Prevention Strategies
Feed a prescription urinary diet that maintains optimal urine pH and mineral balance. Increase water intake — add water to food, use a water fountain for cats. Monitor urine pH regularly. For cats prone to blockage, wet food is strongly preferred over kibble. Regular urinalysis every 6-12 months catches early crystal formation before stones develop.
Quando consultar um veterinário imediatamente
- Your pet has blood in their urine
- Your pet is straining to urinate but producing little or no urine
- Your male cat is in the litter box repeatedly but not producing urine — EMERGENCY
- Your pet is urinating frequently in small amounts with signs of pain
- Your pet has been diagnosed with crystals in urine
- Your pet has had bladder stones before and you want to prevent recurrence
Como o RVC pode ajudar
O Royal Veterinary Center oferece gerenciamento completo de cálculos na bexiga: raios X e ultrassom diagnósticos, exame de urina com identificação de cristais, remoção cirúrgica de cálculos (cistotomia) e planejamento de dieta de prevenção pós-cirúrgica. Para bloqueios uretrais em gatos machos, oferecemos cateterismo e estabilização de emergência 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana. Ligue para +853 6677 6611.
Este artigo é apenas para fins educacionais e não substitui o aconselhamento veterinário profissional. Se o seu animal apresentar algum sintoma, entre em contato imediatamente com o Royal Veterinary Center pelo telefone +853 6677 6611.