Clinical presentation of feline urolithiasis and associated diagnostic testing

Abstract

Feline urolithiasis affecting the lower urinary tract is a common presentation and urolithiasis affecting the upper urinary tract is increasingly recognised. The clinical presentation of cats with upper and lower urinary tract uroliths can be variable, ranging from an incidental finding through to cats with obstructive disease requiring emergency management. When evaluating a cat where there is concern for urolithiasis, a comprehensive evaluation of the entire urinary tract is important to ensure that the full stone burden is identified and can be considered in urolith management strategies. A combination of information from signalment, urinalysis and radiographic appearance is frequently useful to identify the most likely urolith type in advance of any treatment. Careful clinical assessment for other risk factors for urolith formation and concurrent disease is also important as part of urolith prevention in the future.