Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and imaging findings in 163 cats with ureteral stones
By Kyles, Andrew E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2005·Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi: 163 cases (1984-2002).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with ureteral stones (ureterolithiasis) showed symptoms like not eating, vomiting, being unusually tired, and losing weight. Out of 163 cats studied, most had their stones detected through X-rays and ultrasounds, which also revealed that many were experiencing kidney problems due to the blockage. The majority of the stones were made of calcium oxalate. The findings suggest that if your cat has ongoing vague symptoms or signs of kidney issues, it's important to have imaging done to check for ureteral stones.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 163 client-owned cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, history, clinical signs, and results of clinicopathologic testing and diagnostic imaging was obtained. RESULTS: The number of cats in which ureterolithiasis was diagnosed each year increased progressively during the study period. Clinical signs tended to be non-specific and included inappetence, vomiting, lethargy, and weight loss. A combination of survey radiography and abdominal ultrasonography revealed ureteral calculi in 66 of 73 (90%) cats in which the diagnosis was confirmed at surgery or necropsy. Ultrasonography revealed that ureteral calculi were causing ureteral obstruction in 143 of 155 (92%) cats. One hundred thirty-four of 162 (83%) cats had azotemia, 84 of 156 (54%) had hyperphosphatemia, and 22 of 152 (14%) had hypercalcemia. Urinary tract infection was documented in 10 of 119 (8%). Fifty-eight of 76 (76%) cats with unilateral ureterolithiasis had azotemia and 33 (43%) had hyperphosphatemia, indicating impairment of renal function in the contralateral kidney or prerenal azotemia. Ultrasonographic imaging of the contralateral kidney in cats with unilateral ureteral calculi suggested that preexisting renal parenchymal disease was common in cats with ureterolithiasis. Ninety-one of 93 (98%) ureteral calculi contained calcium oxalate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that abdominal imaging should be performed in all cats with chronic nonspecific signs or with acute or chronic renal failure to rule out ureterolithiasis. Preexisting renal disease may be common in cats with ureteral calculi.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15786996/