"Mike S." wrote in message
oups.com...
The vet told me that my cat has a calcium oxalate stone but that it's
located in a place where they cannot perform surgery. They're just
gonna have to wait and see what happens with it and keep an eye on it.
I can't remember the location of the stone but I think it was above or
around the colon. Does anyone happen to know what/where it might be? I
was going to do some research on it but the vet isn't open on Sunday so
I can't ask. I think the location started with the letter U, but I'm
not sure. I don't think it was in the urethra or the bladder, though.

Any ideas?


If the stone is near the colon, it has to be in the lower end of the one of
the ureters. The colon sits between the two ureters at their lower ends
just before they enter the bladder. Very tricky spot- right near where the
ureters go around the colon, they also go under the ductus deferens. Where
the ureter and ductus deferens cross kinda looks like the number 6 or the
bottom of a figure 8. The stone is probably lodged in the ureter where it
curves to go under the ductus deferens and into the bladder. If you look at
this drawing, the spot I'm talking about is just a little to the left of the
red number 8.

http://www.maxshouse.com/anatomy/upp...tract_male.jpg


Here's an overview of the male cat's urogenital system so you can follow the
urine from the kidneys:

http://www.maxshouse.com/anatomy/ana...enital_sys.jpg

If the ureterolith doesn't pass and must be removed, you'll need a surgeon
with exacting skill and keen surgical vision. This surgery is much too
delicate for a general veterinary practioner- that's why your vet said the
stone can't be removed. But a surgical Diplomate of the American College of
Veterinary Surgeons could probably take it out without breaking a sweat.

Go to:

http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/DiplomateDirectory/

to locate a ACVS surgeon in your area. Then ask your vet to send him the
x-rays or ultrasound printout for his expert opinion.

Years ago, only 2 or 3% of all the stones found in feline urinary tracts
were calcium oxalate- most stones were struvite (which can be dissolved).
Since the pet food companies decided to reduce the magnesium and increase
the acidity of feline diets to prevent struvite, now 42% of the all the
stones found in cats are calcium oxalate. By solving one problem, the pet
food companies created a worse problem. At least struvite can be dissolved
medically- calcium oxalate can't.

Best of luck,

Phil