Clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi: 163 cases (1984-2002).
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
163 client-owned cats.


METHODS
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
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.
Kyles
Andrew E
AE
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Hardie
Elizabeth M
EM
Wooden
Brent G
BG
Adin
Christopher A
CA
Stone
Elizabeth A
EA
Gregory
Clare R
CR
Mathews
Kyle G
KG
Cowgill
Larry D
LD
Vaden
Shelly
S
Nyland
Thomas G
TG
Ling
Gerald V
GV
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014511:Uremia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary
D010710:Phosphates