Effective Treatments for Cat & Dog Kidney Stones: What

The dangers of kidney stones are significant.

Kidney stones can lead to blockages in the ureters and may even result in a decline in kidney function.

Typically, stones in the kidneys move along with the urine and gradually shift towards the ureters. Since the ureters are quite narrow, most stones that fall from the kidneys end up blocking the entrance to the ureters. If the ureters are blocked by stones, urine from the kidneys cannot be excreted properly, accumulating in the kidneys over time. This can lead to conditions such as hydronephrosis or nephritis, causing the kidney condition to worsen rapidly.

Moreover, kidney stones can place a burden on the internal structures of the kidneys, such as the ureters and glomeruli, potentially leading to kidney failure.

What happens if kidney conditions worsen?

Renal failure can cause symptoms like decreased appetite, anemia, nausea, and more. As kidney function deteriorates to its end stages, the body's toxins cannot be excreted through urine, leading to uremia and potentially death. Just like humans, dogs and cats can survive with one kidney functioning if the other is healthy.

Are kidney stones untreatable?

Unfortunately, veterinary medicine faces challenges in dealing with kidney stones.

There are only two methods to remove stones: surgically cutting the ureter to gradually reach the kidney and extracting the stone with forceps, or directly cutting the kidney to remove the stone. However, if the ureter is cut, there is a risk of postoperative ureteral obstruction, which could lead to a recurrence of the very problem the surgery was meant to prevent. Additionally, kidney surgery does not have the same high recovery rate as liver surgery, potentially leading to kidney function decline. Therefore, surgery for kidney stones is often more harmful than beneficial.

Are there no treatment options for kidney stones?

There are indeed some effective solutions.

Kidney stones come in different types, and if they are struvite stones, they can often be dissolved through dietary management or medication. However, it is crucial to know the type of stone in your pet's kidney to treat it appropriately. Current technology can identify the type of stone through urine tests. If the urine contains crystals similar to the stone, and they are of the same type, there is a chance the stone can be dissolved with treatment. However, since not all crystals are the same as the stone, even if the urine contains struvite crystals, there is no guarantee the stone will dissolve.

In summary:

Kidney stones can potentially lead to kidney dysfunction.

Surgery is an option, but it often has more drawbacks than benefits.

If the stones are struvite, they can often be cured with internal medication.

Monitoring the condition over time is usually necessary.

If your pet has kidney stones, it's best to consult with a veterinarian to choose the best treatment method.