25/11/2024
🐱 Dinah’s Problematic Bladder 🐱
Dinah is a 7 year old female Devon Rex cat. In 2022, Dinah had blood in her urine; suspected to be caused by feline interstitial cystitis (stress related bladder inflammation) due to the addition of a new puppy at home. The blood resolved after a course of oral anti-inflammatories (the treatment of choice for stress related cystitis).
A few months later her symptoms recurred, but this time medication did not help. Her urine sample was sent to the external lab for culture which showed no bacteria present but there were lots of blood and white blood cells (indicating inflammation).
Dinah had a specialist ultrasound of her bladder which showed she had two oval shaped uroliths (bladder stones) present. A cystotomy was performed to remove these stones. This surgical procedure involves an exploratory laparotomy (open abdominal surgery) to expose and open the bladder to retrieve the bladder stones. During the surgery Dr Cindy removed 2 triangular uroliths.
Dinah recovered quickly from surgery and was back to her normal self very quickly. She was commenced on Hills Prescription Diet k/d to assist in dilution of her urine and prevent her urine becoming too acidic.
Unfortunately (as is very common with patients with bladder stones) in June 2023 Dinah presented with blood in her urine again. Dinah was referred to the Animalius specialist medicine team to customise a management plan to prevent recurrence of bladder stones.
In August 2023 she underwent another cystotomy with Dr Jess who removed a large smooth bladder stone and Dinah then commenced her plan created by the Animalius team (medications to increase the pH of her urine and additional water added to her food to dilute her urine).
As of mid 2024 Dinah is continuing to do well and has not shown any signs of new bladder stones being formed.
