Preventing bladder stones in dogs
Bladder stones in dogs can cause frequent urinary tract infections
, pain, and blockages, which can be potentially fatal if untreated, so it’s important to contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog may have a bladder stone.
What are the symptoms of a dog with bladder stones?
- Blood in the urine.
- Straining to urinate.
- Abdominal pain.
- Frequent urination, but only urinating a small amount each time.
- Urinating in odd places.
- Urinating in the house (dogs)
- Urinating outside the litterbox (cats)
- Licking the urinary opening.
Can bladder stones cause UTI?
Urinary tract infections:
Bladder stones can lead to infections of the urinary tract (UTIs)
. UTI symptoms include frequent, painful urination as well as cloudy, smelly urine.
Can a dog live with bladder stones?
They may look like rocks or crystals, and can come as large as a piece of gravel. Fortunately, bladder stones in dogs are highly treatable, but they can be extremely painful for your dog, and
when left untreated, they might create a blockage in your dog’s urethra. This could be life-threatening
.
How often do bladder stones come back in dogs?
There are several different types of stones, which form for different reasons and require various forms of treatment and strategies for prevention. For example, “despite preventative measures,
approximately 50 percent of dogs will have recurrence of calcium oxalate stones within two years
,” says Dr.
How do you treat a dog with bladder stones?
Treatment for bladder stones in dogs depends on the minerals involved.
Laser treatment and special diets can sometimes break up or dissolve struvite stones
. As an alternative, your veterinarian may administer a procedure to flush smaller stones out of the urinary system.
Do bladder stones cause pain in dogs?
Your dog may cry in pain, especially if pressure is applied to the abdominal wall. When there is no obstruction occurring, hematuria, and dysuria are the most common signs seen in dogs with bladder stones. However,
pain usually also occurs in the bladder
.
What food causes bladder stones in dogs?
Foods high in protein, particularly red meats and animal fats
, increase risk of bladder stones in dogs. Foods high in oxalates, which contribute to stone formation, such as wheat germ, sweet potatoes, beans and soy products, should also be avoided.
How much does it cost to remove bladder stones in dogs?
Cost of the procedure
$1,000 – $1,200
. Occasionally stones can also be present in the urethra in male dog’s and longer surgery, with some increase in costs, may be required. Further costs can include sending the stones (calculi) away for analysis to determine their make-up.
How do you prevent bladder stones in dogs?
Most dogs should be fed a canned or wet diet to encourage water consumption.
Dilute urine with a low urine specific gravity (urine specific gravity or USpG less than 1.020)
is an important part of the prevention of calcium oxalate bladder stones.
What is the most common cause of bladder stones?
There are a number of causes, but the most common is an
enlarged prostate
. Nerve damage. Stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, a herniated disk and a number of other problems can damage nerves that control bladder function.
How do you treat urinary stones?
- Drinking water. Drinking as much as 2 to 3 quarts (1.8 to 3.6 liters) a day will keep your urine dilute and may prevent stones from forming. …
- Pain relievers. Passing a small stone can cause some discomfort. …
- Medical therapy. Your doctor may give you a medication to help pass your kidney stone.
Can antibiotics help with bladder stones in dogs?
If your dog has struvite stones due to a urinary tract infection, then
antibiotic and diet therapy will resolve the problem in many cases
, and once the stones have been resolved your dog does not necessarily need a special diet. Your veterinarian will be able to help you make these decisions.
What should dogs with bladder stones not eat?
To decrease the chances of your dog developing bladder stones, or having them return once dissolved, you should avoid feeding foods that contain high levels of oxalate such as
spinach, sweet potatoes, organ meat and brown rice
.
What happens if bladder stones are not removed in dogs?
Small stones may flow with the urine into the urethra where they can become lodged and cause an obstruction. If an obstruction occurs, the bladder cannot be emptied fully; if the obstruction is complete, the dog will not be able to urinate at all. If the obstruction is not relieved,
the bladder may rupture
.
Can hard water cause bladder stones in dogs?
Hard water is water with a high mineral content usually calcium and magnesium.
Very hard water has been linked to urinary illness such as Crystalluria (crystal in urine) which may predispose your dog to stone formation and bladder and urinary tract infections
.
Is surgery the only option for bladder stones in dogs?
Bladder stones can be very painful for your dog. And sometimes she may need surgery to remove them. But
there are some new technologies that can help remove stones without surgery
.
How long does it take to dissolve bladder stones in dogs?
Stone size is monitored with biweekly sequential X-rays. The stones should dissolve within
two months
after initiating therapy. In some cases, surgery will be recommended to remove the stones.
How do you treat bladder stones in dogs naturally?
Many dogs with struvite stones respond well to regular
apple cider vinegar (ACV)
. Again, it helps acidify your dog’s urine to discourage struvite stones from forming. Buy raw, organic unfiltered ACV. Mix it with your dog’s food (or water, if she likes it), in these amounts according to weight.
