Struvite stones, or urinary tract stones, are one of the several types of stones (urolithiasis) that can form in a dog's bladder. The opportunity to dissolve bladder stones in dogs, called dissolution, depends on the composition of the stones. Big rocks act like valves or obstructions in the urinary system. This option is ultrasonic dissolution, a technique in which high frequency ultrasound waves are used to disrupt or break the stones into tiny particles that can then be flushed out of the bladder. 1. So once we know what the stone is, we can then look to identify the underlying cause. Struvite stones are one of the most common types of bladder stones in dogs. This is also true for some, but not all, xanthine stones. and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Bladder Stones In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & More - Canine Journal Struvite is a normal component of dog's urine and will remain dissolved as long as the urine is acidic and is not too concentrated. They should be low in protein; be made without ingredients high in purines (like fish and organ meats); be low in sodium; and produce alkaline urine. The most concerning symptoms would be straining to urinate or inability to urinate, indicating that immediate veterinary attention is warranted.. Struvite stones generally form when the urine is infected with ammonium-producing bacteria, which raises the pH leading to Struvite crystals coming together and forming a stone. When it comes to bladder stones, keeping dogs well-hydrated (or even slightly overhydrated) is important. Terms of Use The best way to keep your dogs urine dilute is to feed wet dog food, add a little extra water to it, and make sure your dog always has access to bowls of fresh, clean water. This oversaturation may be caused by increased excretion of crystals by the kidney, increased water reabsorption by the kidneys, and changes in the urine PH leading to crystal formation. Calcium oxalate stones are formed when your dog's urine is over-saturated with calcium and oxalate. Purine stones. Early Detection. Our review process. Here are three things to keep in mind when treating your dog with bladder stones. In dogs with low populations of Oxalobacter, excess oxalate is secreted in the urine, increasing the likelihood that calcium oxalate crystals and stones can form if the urine is highly concentrated or becomes acidic. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-doghint_com-leader-1-0-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'doghint_com-leader-1','ezslot_3',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-doghint_com-leader-1-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-doghint_com-leader-1-0_1-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'doghint_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',134,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-doghint_com-leader-1-0_1'); .leader-1-multi-134{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Its also important to increase water consumption to dilute urine and to keep your dogs urine pH slightly alkaline. Dogs prescribed antibiotics will typically use the drugs while consuming the therapeutic dog food, and possibly longer if needed. Diets that promote less-acidic and more dilute urine are recommended. Trying to keep your dogs USG under 1.020 is a good goal for preventing bladder stones. Ensure that they are well hydrated and that they are given the opportunity to urinate frequently throughout the day.. . One of the most frequent strategies utilized by vets is to keep the animal well hydrated to prevent bladder stones. However, after seeing the X-rays, most owners are shocked that their dog hasnt been acting even sicker. There are, however, some general statements that can be made about the nutritional management of bladder stones that occur in dogs: Regardless of the ultimate treatment of canine bladder stones - surgical removal or dissolution - nutrition will play a critical role in preventing recurrence. Already have a myVCA account? Set up your myVCA account today. Frequently Asked Questions About Bladder Stones in Dogs - South Seattle Vet By feeding a special food, pet parents can reduce the building blocks needed to create bladder stones. Water-rich foods are usually prescribed. You cant give your dog any supplements or treats during the diet. These symptoms include accidental urination, discoloration in urine, painful urination, regular attempts at urinating without production, and discomfort around the urinary opening suggested by their frequent licking of that region. When you create the right conditions in the urine, the stones gradually dissolve. Dogs that have developed calcium oxalate bladder stones in the past will often be fed a therapeutic diet for life. In most cases, surgical removal of bladder stones is the treatment of choice. To understand whether your dog has a bladder stone or a urinary problem, you have to be wise about the clinical signs and symptoms associated with this disorder. Diet can play a big role in the treatment and prevention of bladder stones. The add-ons may undermine what the prescribed nutrient profile is able to do to prevent bladder stones from recurring. Dogs that develop bladder stones once are at risk for getting them again, but preventive measures are available. Sign up for weekly pet health tips and insights from our veterinarians. Most commonly found in males (73%). If you dont treat the bladder stones or obstruction occurs, the bladder can rupture. Feeding your dog certain foods can cause the formation of bladder stones, a mineral deposit that can form in the kidneys and urethra. When the stones rub against the bladders walls, it leads to hematuria. If urinary acidification is taken too far, calcium oxalate stones can be the result. If your dog has accidentally made puddles on your floor, had trouble peeing, or youve noticed blood in her urine, your veterinarian may have diagnosed her with bladder stones. You can also use urine test strips at home to check for signs of bladder stones. If the obstruction is not relieved, the bladder may rupture. Types of bladder problem There are a number of different urine and bladder conditions that can affect dogs, some of the most common are listed below: UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) For example, Struvites are more often found in young adult dogs and are the most common stone diagnosed in puppies. Urates, he says, are more often diagnosed in dogs 4 to 5 years old, and calcium oxalate stones are most frequently diagnosed in middle-aged and older dogs, 7 to 9 years old. If food and medicine fail to dissolve the stone, it will need to be removed. Diet does not typically play a key role in their formation, but they can be dissolved with a prescription diet (by adjusting the pH of the urine) and treating the infection, she adds. Continue with Recommended Cookies. There are different diets that have been shown and proven to reduce the incidence of each stone type. Not only are they particularly dehydrating, but they also contain compounds that can be easily converted to calcium oxalate stones. UTIs in Dogs (Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs), Frequent attempts to urinate without producing much urine. Small stones may flow with the urine into the urethra where they can become lodged and cause an obstruction. 5 Bladder Problems in Dogs: Signs and Treatment - Top Dog Tips Breeds at especially high risk include: miniature schnauzers, lhasa apsos, Yorkshire terriers, miniature poodles, shih tzus, and bichon frises. My name is Ana, and I am the editor of Doghint.com. Your dog may not be able to completely avoid getting bladder stones, especially if she is predisposed by breed or age. These stones can be managed with medical interventions and a specific diet for bladder stones. The most common surgical procedure to remove the stones is Cystotomy. Foods high in oxalates, which contribute to stone formation, such as wheat germ, sweet potatoes, beans and soy products, should also be avoided. Keep her water bowl clean and filled with fresh water and make sure she can easily reach it. How did my dog develop cystine bladder stones? There are possibly more factors that contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate bladder stones. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Bladder stones in dogs usually feature one of four types of substances: calcium oxalate, struvite, urate, and cystine. Cuteness may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Calcium oxalate stones are almost always radiodense, meaning that they can be seen on a plain radiograph. Surgical removal of the stones is usually necessary. But you can take steps to reduce these occurrencesand spare her needless suffering. The vet said that they'd never seen a recurrence so fast and the dog needed a second emergency surgery and the question really is, what is the cause of this? The best way to keep your dogs urine dilute is to feed wet dog food, add a little extra water to it, and make sure your dog always has access to bowls of fresh, clean water. Changing your dogs food and increasing water consumption is the most natural treatment option available. Nutritional Concerns For Dogs With Bladder Stones. An appropriate nutrient profile for calcium oxalate stone prevention: Avoids ingredients that contain a lot of oxalates, Maintains urine that is slightly more alkaline than normal to discourage calcium oxalate stone formation, Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit. Dogs displaying any clinical signs such as frequent urination, urinating in unusual places, painful urination or the presence of blood in the urine should be evaluated immediately. Some of the most dramatic X-rays I show clients are those that reveal the presence of large stones in their dogs bladder. In certain cases, medications to lower the urinary pH such as potassium citrate may be required. At the same time, dysuria is commonly associated with inflammation around the urethra or bladder wall. 73% of Calcium Oxalate patients are male. Veterinarians usually prescribe these diets to dissolve cystine stones: Purine stones can be made of urate or xanthine. However, some stones are too small to be felt this way. High-risk breeds include; Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus and Bichon Frises. There is also a link between obesity and the development of these stones. Prevention of these stones involves treating the underlying infection and monitoring for recurrence of infection and stones., The best tip for management and prevention of any kind of crystal and stone is to focus on keeping your canine companion hydrated, Ng says. Still, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of occurrences. Like urate crystals, cystine crystals are radiolucent, meaning they form into bladder stones and are not visible on X-rays. Other factors in stone formation include . Its also important to prevent dogs from eating soil or drinking water that may be high in silica, which may be associated with volcanic areas. What Causes Bladder Stones In Dogs? - Petcube web-site Bladder stones can form in as little as two weeks or take up to several months to develop. Cystine stones are not as common in dogs as struvite and calcium oxalate stones. When that compound exceeds a certain level, crystallization occurs. Other bladder stones have to be physically removed, either through surgery or techniques like lithotripsy (using sound waves or a laser to break stones into small pieces) or urohydropropulsion (placing a special catheter into the bladder to flush out small stones). Now very often we can't actually find an underlying cause and we need to do a few other things and dietary management is definitely something that we need to consider and that's regardless of stone type. Changing dog food is one of the most effective ways of preventing bladder stones. They form when an infection is present. It is difficult enough to put together a nutritionally complete and balanced, homemade dog food that is safe to feed long-term to a healthy dog. Diets used to dissolve purine stones have the following characteristics: Reduced levels of proteinspecifically proteins that contain a lot of purine, like fish and organ meats, Creates alkaline urine (urine with a higher pH than normal). They can also be seen when there is a prolonged antibiotic use as well and that can alter the normal gut flora. Restricting the intake of calcium, oxalate, phosphorus, and protein-rich foods is one of the best dog bladder stones home remedies. In some cases, if your dog is relaxed and the bladder is not too painful, your veterinarian may be able to palpate (feel) calcium oxalate stones in the bladder. A long-term diet change is not always necessary, but ensuring that the urine remains dilute and slightly acidic can help. All published articles are meant for informational purposes only and not substitute the professional veterinary consultation. Theres also the possibility they wont work, and the vet will recommend surgery. Either way, its crucial to increase the amount of water your dog is drinking to dilute the chemicals or bacteria in their urine. For this reason, veterinarians may recommend diets that are typically used to prevent calcium oxalate stones, such as: A diet that is high in animal protein and avoids plant-based ingredients that could be high in silica, like corn gluten, is commonly recommended to prevent silica stones. For this reason, you should be aware of what food causes bladder stones to avoid these as much as possible. The causes of bladder stones in dogs. However, if for some reason the patient cannot undergo surgical treatment or non-surgical stone removal, and you are willing to assume the risks, it may be acceptable to delay the treatment for a short while. Your veterinarian can recommend a refractometer to measure your dogs USG at home, or they can run a quick and inexpensive USG check if you drop off a urine sample. The other common type of stone is calcium oxalate bladder stones. Why Do Dogs Develop Bladder Stones? Why does a dog develop bladder stones? For this reason, many veterinarians recommend the canned versions of these foods over the dry. It namely focuses on managing specific electrolytes and the pH of the urine.. A complete obstruction is potentially life threatening and requires immediate emergency treatment. These form when mineral levels in the urine are higher than usual. What Food Causes Bladder Stones In Dogs? - Best Dog Answers In the case of cystine or urate stones, seafood and protein-rich treats should be avoided. The opposite is true for struvite stones. Bladder stones (uroliths or cystic calculi) are rock-like formations of minerals that develop in the urinary bladder. Feeding the wrong homemade dog food could make your dogs condition worse. In some cases, your veterinarian may make an educated guess about the type of stone that is present, based on the radiographic appearance and results of a urinalysis. Most bladder stones in dogs are made from struvite, calcium oxalate, urate, or cystine crystals. What are Struvite Crystals in Dogs? Identification Bladder stones in dogs can cause frequent urination. It increases the amount of urine your dog produces, which dilutes the excess minerals that cause crystals and stones. Dog Diseases - Urinary Tract Disease | Hill's Pet Nutritional Concerns for Dogs with Bladder Stones - Vca These imaging procedures will identify the presence of a bladder stone, but will not definitively tell your veterinarian the composition of the stone. Image Credit: Janie Airey/Digital Vision/Getty Images Bladder stones in dogs can cause symptoms such as frequent urination with minimal fluid output, difficulty and straining with urination and blood in the urine. For cysteine and urate stones, a diet for dogs usually consists of low-protein food. Letting your dog out frequently to pee is good practice, but you also need to watch her when she urinates. Older dogs also have an increased risk of developing diseases that predispose them to stone formation, says Gallagher, who is board-certified in veterinary internal medicine. A veterinarian may recommend these foods to help prevent the return of struvite stones: While changing a dogs diet wont get rid of calcium oxalate stones, therapeutic foods can help prevent their return. Once a nutritional profile has been chosen, it is important to feed only what has been prescribed, so speak to your veterinarian before offering any additional food or treats. Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary Sign up for weekly pet health tips and insights from our veterinarians.