Cat breeds at highest risk of kidney stones

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have found the breeds that place cats at a higher risk of developing kidney and ureter stones, namely Burmese, Persian, Ragdoll and Tonkinese breeds. The research is the first of its kind to examine all cats with upper urinary tract uroliths (stones) as one group and hopes to support vets with diagnostic and treatment plans. The frequency of diagnosis of upper urinary tract uroliths in cats, known as stones in the kidney or ureter, has been increasing in the last two decades, with 4.6% of the cats referred to the RVC's Queen Mother Hospital for Animals over a 10-year period having upper urinary tract uroliths. The last similar estimate in the USA was in 1999, when just 0.68% in cats seen at veterinary teaching hospitals were diagnosed with upper urinary tract uroliths. Similar to humans, feline uroliths are usually composed of calcium oxalate. This cannot be dissolved naturally via diet or medication, and there are currently no effective methods for preventing these stones from forming in cats. If these stones move into the ureter, they can cause an obstruction (blockage) which can be life-threatening and often requires surgical intervention.