Texas A&M Vets Use Innovative Technique To Treat Cat With Complex Urinary Stones

Using newly published research, a team of specialists performed a first-of-its-kind surgery from Japan to treat a cat with kidney stones.

For Alessandro Mazzamuto and Chiara La Ferla, music is a constant presence in their lives, shaping both their work as piano teachers and the way they see the world.

That influence extended to their 1-year-old Savannah cat, Bebe, whose name comes from the musical note “B.” However, during his first year of life, Bebe faced health challenges that made life anything but harmonious.

After surviving parvovirus and enduring months of chronic urinary tract infections as a kitten, Bebe was eventually referred to the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences ’ Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH), where a team of veterinary specialists performed an innovative, life-saving procedure.

Bebe was born in Philadelphia, and shortly after birth, Mazzamuto’s brother took him to Italy.

During his time there, Bebe developed a blocked urinary tract and was taken to their local veterinary hospital, where, while receiving treatment, he contracted parvovirus.

After two months in the hospital, Bebe recovered.

Soon after, Mazzamuto’s brother decided it was no longer practical to keep him in Italy and sent him back to the United States.

“As soon as he got here, we took him to the vet so he could get all his vaccines, but the vet saw that he still had an active infection,” Mazzamuto said.

“We tried a couple of different antibiotics, but it wouldn’t go away.” Bebe’s condition soon began affecting his behavior and daily life.

“He wasn’t gaining weight and he was very skinny,” La Ferla said.

The report adds to ongoing university-led research relevant to veterinary medicine, animal health, and clinical decision-making.

Source university website: Texas A&M VMBS

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/cat-kidney-stone-surgery-texas-am/