AAFP releases consensus statement on treatment of urolithiasis

The American Association of Feline Practitioners has released the 2022 AAFP Consensus Statement on the Approaches to Urolithiasis Treatment. The consensus statement provides patient-centered, research-based, and experience-supported recommendations for the treatment of cystoliths in cats.

In the past, urolith management was provided by veterinary surgeons. However, a better understanding of the causes and risk factors of urolith formation as well as access to therapeutic diets, miniaturization of equipment, and advanced technologies have changed this approach.

Highlights of the consensus statement include the following:

• Veterinarians should attempt to predict the composition of uroliths on the basis of the individual patient, radiographic results, and urinalysis factors.
• Dissolution should be attempted before surgical intervention.
• Minimally invasive techniques should be recommended prior to open cystotomy.

According to the authors, Drs. Marilyn Dunn, Matthew Koryna, and Jody Lulich: “Feline urolithiasis is a common cause of lower urinary tract signs. Dissolution and minimally invasive procedures remain a cornerstone of management. Some practitioners may struggle to decide when and how to perform dissolution and other minimally invasive treatments. This new Consensus Statement provides clarity in the management of feline lower urinary stones.”

The consensus statement discusses how to know whether a cat has stones, common types of uroliths, why prediction of the composition of uroliths prior to removal is important, the best strategy for prediction of urolith composition, correct approach to dissolution, minimally invasive options to remove bladder uroliths, and steps to prevent uroliths.