Pedras nos Rins e Bexiga em Animais
Cristais minerais podem formar pedras no trato urinário, causando dor, obstruções e infecções. A dieta desempenha um papel fundamental na prevenção.
Urólitos (cálculos urinários) são formações minerais que se desenvolvem nos rins, bexiga ou uretra de cães e gatos. Eles causam dor, obstrução urinária, infecções recorrentes e danos renais. Alguns tipos de cálculos podem ser dissolvidos com dieta; outros requerem remoção cirúrgica. RVC diagnostica e trata cálculos urinários. Ligue para +853 6677 6611.
Pontos-chave
- Struvite and calcium oxalate are the most common stone types
- Male cats are at highest risk for life-threatening urethral obstruction
- Symptoms: straining, blood in urine, frequent small urinations, pain
- Some stones can be dissolved with prescription diets; others need surgery
- Diet modification prevents recurrence in many cases
- Recurrent stones require regular monitoring with X-rays or ultrasound
Types of Urinary Stones
Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate): most common in dogs; often associated with urinary tract infections (bacteria produce urease, creating alkaline urine that favors struvite formation). Can often be dissolved with prescription diets. Calcium oxalate: most common in cats; forms in acidic urine. Cannot be dissolved with diet — requires removal. Urate: seen in Dalmatians and pets with liver shunts. Cystine: hereditary in some breeds (Newfoundlands, English Bulldogs, Dachshunds). Calcium phosphate: often associated with metabolic disorders.
Symptoms and Complications
Symptoms: straining to urinate, frequent small urinations, blood in urine, pain when urinating, accidents, and licking the genital area. Complications: urinary obstruction (especially in male cats with small urethras) — a life-threatening emergency. Obstruction causes toxin buildup, electrolyte imbalances (fatal hyperkalemia), and bladder rupture. Recurrent UTIs: stones harbor bacteria. Chronic inflammation can lead to bladder wall thickening and dysfunction. Kidney stones (nephroliths) can damage kidney function over time.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis: urinalysis (pH, crystals, infection), urine culture (bacteria identification), blood tests (kidney function, calcium levels), and imaging. X-rays show radiopaque stones (struvite, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate). Ultrasound shows all stone types including radiolucent ones (urate, cystine, some struvite). Stone analysis (sent to a lab) identifies the mineral composition — essential for choosing the right prevention strategy.
Treatment and Prevention
Struvite stones: dissolve with prescription diets that acidify urine and are low in magnesium (Hill's c/d, Royal Canin Urinary SO). May take 1-3 months. Calcium oxalate: surgical removal (cystotomy) or lithotripsy (shattering stones with ultrasound). Urate: low-purine diet (Hill's u/d) and allopurinol. Cystine: low-protein diet and penicillamine. Prevention: prescription diets formulated for the specific stone type, increased water intake (canned food, fountains, flavoring water), treating UTIs promptly, and regular monitoring with X-rays or ultrasound every 6-12 months.
Quando consultar um veterinário imediatamente
- Straining to urinate with little or no urine produced
- Blood in urine
- Frequent small urinations with obvious discomfort
- Male cat unable to urinate (EMERGENCY)
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Known stones that need monitoring
Como o RVC pode ajudar
RVC fornece diagnóstico, remoção cirúrgica e planos de prevenção para cálculos urinários. Se o seu animal apresentar sintomas urinários, 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.