Companion Animal Welfare

Companion Cat: Bladder Stone Management

Bladder stones (uroliths) cause painful obstruction and inflammation in cats, requiring prompt diagnosis and appropriate medical or surgical management.

Key Facts

The most common bladder stone types in cats are struvite and calcium oxalate
Struvite stones can often be dissolved medically with prescription urinary diets
Calcium oxalate stones require surgical removal as they cannot be dissolved medically
Obstructive urolithiasis is a life-threatening emergency particularly in male cats
Prevention through appropriate diet and hydration significantly reduces recurrence risk

Welfare Considerations

Bladder stones cause chronic pain through inflammation and intermittent obstruction. Urinary blockage is an acute welfare emergency causing severe pain, toxaemia, and death within 24-48 hours if untreated. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management - medical dissolution or surgical removal depending on stone type - prevents prolonged suffering. Prevention through dietary management reduces recurrence and the welfare harm of repeated episodes.

What You Can Do

Seek immediate veterinary attention if your cat strains to urinate without producing urine
Feed prescription urinary diets if your cat has a history of bladder stones
Encourage water intake through wet food and water fountains
Follow post-treatment monitoring protocols including regular urinalysis
Discuss long-term prevention strategies with your vet after bladder stone treatment