Bladder stones in dogs
Bladder stones regularly occur in dogs; there is a kind of sand in the bladder. Larger bladder stones can form if this sand is present for a long time and clumps together. There are different types of bladder stones. Each type of stone has its own treatment. Therefore, your vet needs to investigate which stone is causing issues for your dog. This blog discusses the symptoms consistent with bladder stones, their diagnosis, and how your dog can be treated.
Complaints of a dog with bladder stones
The symptoms your dog has when it suffers from bladder stones are similar to a bladder infection; think of:
- Frequent urination; more urges
- Small amounts of urine
- Pressing for urine
- Pain when urinating
- Blood mixed with urine
If the stones clog the urethra, it can even get to the point where your dog cannot urinate. That’s an emergency!
How are bladder stones diagnosed?
The vet uses urinalysis to determine whether your dog has bladder stones. Crystals are then visible under the microscope. This can usually determine the type of stones.
Please ensure that the urine sample you provide is as fresh as possible and collected cleanly. Sometimes the urinalysis is not clear. The vet will likely suggest further examination by making an X-ray or ultrasound of the bladder.
How are bladder stones treated?
How bladder stones are treated depends on the type of stones. The most common bladder stone types are:
- Struvite
- Calcium oxalate
- Cystine stones
- Urate stones
Struvite
Struvite is common. This type of stone usually occurs as a result of bacterial cystitis. In the case of struvite, treating the stones and the infection is essential.
There are special struvite-dissolving diets, such as Sanimed Anti Struvite, but there are also diets that can be used for multiple stone types. A commonly prescribed diet, for example, is Royal Canin Urinary S/O.
Struvite is the only type of stone that is small enough to dissolve with an adapted diet. Even stones of a bit larger size can sometimes dissolve with an adapted diet. Can’t your dog be put on diet food for bladder stones? Then there are also urinary acidifying supplements to dissolve struvite and reduce new formation, for example, Uri-Balance.
Calcium oxalate
Calcium oxalate occurs when the urine is very concentrated, and there is a lot of calcium in the urine. Calcium oxalate stones cannot dissolve; they must be surgically removed first. Subsequently, it is important to inhibit the formation of new crystals. You can do this by letting your dog drink enough water. In addition, an adapted diet is advisable. Royal Canin Urinary S/O can also be used in the case of calcium oxalate.
Cystine stones
Cystine is an amino acid, i.e., a solid form of protein. Typically, it is excreted in low amounts through the kidneys but then also reabsorbed by the kidneys. There is a congenital disability where this reabsorption does not occur; therefore, the cystine remains in the urine and can form stones. This is a disease that occurs, for example, in the English Bulldog, Mastiff and Newfoundlander. However, more breeds could have this gene defect.
Cystine stones do not dissolve but can only be removed surgically.
Prevention of new stones is essential. This can be done by increasing fluid intake and feeding a diet with a lower cystine content. These include foods based on vegetable proteins, for example Royal Canin Urinary UC Low Purine.
Urate stones
Urate stones can form when there are problems with the circulation of the liver. This type of stone also occurs in dog breeds, such as the Dalmatian and the English Bulldog. Dogs treated with allopurinol in case of Leishmania infection also have an increased risk of this type of stone.
Urate stones, like other stones, should always be removed surgically. Special diets can again prevent the formation of urate stones, for example, the Low Purine diets already mentioned under cystine stones and Hill’s u/d – Urinary Care.
How can bladder stones be prevented?
You can reduce your dog’s chances of developing bladder stones with a few simple actions.
- Always provide plenty of clean and fresh drinking water. Does your dog drink too little? Then wet the kibble or wet food is advisable.
- Also, make sure you let your dog pee regularly. If urine sits in the bladder for a long time, you also have an increased risk of precipitation.
- Give any supporting supplements for a healthy bladder environment. However, always consult your vet about whether this is a good choice for your dog. Examples of supplements include Dr Ann’s Urinary Care and Pure Urogeni.
Do you have further questions about bladder stones in dogs? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.
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