# Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk): Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Quick answer. Bladder stones (uroliths) cause painful urination, blood in urine and straining in UK cats. Male cats can become blocked — unable to pass urine — which is life-threatening within hours. Diagnosis requires urinalysis and often X-rays or ultrasound; treatment depends on stone type.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk): Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Signs of bladder stones in cats. - Straining in the litter tray with little urine produced - Blood in urine (pink or red-tinged) - Frequent trips to the tray - Urinating outside the litter box - Crying or vocalising when urinating - Licking genitals excessively - Lethargy, vomiting (especially if blocked) Male cats with complete blockage cannot pass any urine. Toxins build up rapidly — this is an emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk): Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Types of bladder stones in UK cats. | Stone type | Dissolves with diet? | Common in | |------------|---------------------|-------------| | Struvite | Often yes | Cats with alkaline urine | | Calcium oxalate | No — surgery needed | Older cats, certain breeds | | Urate | Sometimes | Liver disease, Dalmatians (rare in cats) | Your vet identifies stone type through urinalysis, urine culture and imaging (X-rays or ultrasound). This determines whether medical dissolution or surgery is appropriate.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk): Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Diagnosis at the vet. Expect: - Physical examination — bladder size and pain assessment - Urinalysis — crystals, pH, blood, infection - Urine culture — identifies bacterial infection - X-rays or ultrasound — confirms stone presence and number - Blood tests — kidney function if blockage suspected

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk): Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Treatment options. Medical dissolution — Prescription urinary diets alter urine pH and mineral content to dissolve struvite stones over 4–12 weeks. Regular monitoring confirms progress. Surgical removal (cystotomy) — Required for calcium oxalate stones, large struvite stones, or cats that cannot urinate. Stones are removed through a bladder incision under general anaesthesia. Urinary catheter — Blocked male cats need emergency catheterisation to relieve obstruction, often with hospitalisation and fluids. Antibiotics — If concurrent bacterial infection is present.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk): Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Prevention after treatment. - Feed prescription urinary diet as directed — do not mix with other foods - Increase water intake — wet food, water fountains, multiple bowls - Reduce stress — quiet litter tray locations, Feliway if advised - One litter tray per cat plus one extra, kept clean - Regular urinalysis checks as recommended by your vet

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk