grovercentervetThe Complete Guide to Bladder Stones in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
The discovery that your cherished four-legged family member has a medical problem can be extremely stressful. You’ve heard from your veterinarian about your pet having bladder stones in dogs or you think your pet may be exhibiting symptoms of this painful condition, and you likely have a number of questions.
Dogs are prone to developing bladder stones, which are a fairly common, but very uncomfortable, urological disorder. Scientifically called uroliths, these are rock-like structures that form inside the urinary bladder and vary in size from sand-like small particles to large and smooth stones, filling nearly the whole bladder cavity. Bladder stones in dogs can be a source of confusion, so it’s important to gain an understanding of what they are, how to identify them, and the treatment options available to help get your dog back to a happy, pain-free life. We’ll delve into the science behind bladder stones in dogs, the various types of stones, signs and symptoms, and medical and surgical treatments.
So What Do Bladder Stones In Dogs Mean?
It’s helpful to understand how the urinary system works in a dog to understand bladder stones in dogs. Wastes are removed from the blood by the kidneys and discharged into the bladder as urine. This urine will contain a number of the substances that are dissolved in the blood and excreted from the body.
Under normal circumstances they are fully dissolved and excreted without causing any symptoms. These microscopic crystals of minerals can start to form if the chemical makeup of urine shifts, or if the urine becomes very concentrated. These ‘clustering’ crystals harden and increase in size with time and the crystals develop into full bladder stones in your dog.
Note that bladder stones are different from kidney stones. Kidney stones develop in the kidneys, and are not a very common condition in dogs, however bladder stones develop in the urinary bladder, and are a much more common condition in veterinary clinics.
The dog bladder stones are of different types.
There are several different kinds of bladder stones in dogs.
Dogs can have stones in their bladders that are not all of the same substance. In fact, the mineral make-up of the stone is important, the type of stone determining the exact treatment and prevention strategy. The two most prevalent are the most common veterinary cases.
1. Struvite Bladder Stones
Struvite stones are made up of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate. Struvite bladder stones in dogs are almost certain to occur as part of an existing urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs. Some bacteria have an enzyme called urease which changes the pH of the urine, making it more alkaline. This alkaline environment causes struvite crystals to quickly combine to create stones. Females are more likely to develop struvite stones than males since they are more likely to get a UTI.
2. Calcium Oxalate Bladder Stones
Unlike struvite, calcium oxalate bladder stones in dogs form in highly acidic or neutral urine. A disease infection usually does not cause them. In reality, they are associated with genetically inherited factors, metabolic disturbances and high calcium intake. Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers are very susceptible to calcium oxalate bladder stones in dogs. Unfortunately, these stones can’t be dissolved with any medicine or diet and nearly always must be physically removed.
3. Other types of stone that are less common.
- Urate Stones: Also known as uric acid stones, they are common in Dalmatians that are genetically predisposed to a defect in their liver’s ability to break down uric acid.
- Cystine Stones: These are a rare type of stone which is related to an inherited genetic metabolic defect and are usually only seen in undamaged male dogs.
- Silica Stones: Very rare stones, typically associated with certain food ingredients, like foods rich in corn gluten or grain hulls.
The symptoms of Bladder Stones in Dogs include but are not limited to:
The symptoms are similar to that of a severe infection of the bladder in dogs, as the stones irritate the bladder’s lining, causing inflammation. If you are a conscious dog owner, you should be concerned about the following clinical signs:
- Blood in the Urine (Hematuria): This is due to the rough surfaces of the bladder stones continually rubbing against the bladder wall, causing small tears and bleeding. Urine may appear pink, red or with blood clots.
- Straining to Urinate (dysuria): If your dog strains to urinate for extended periods of time but only gets a few drops out, this is also a symptom to watch for. The stones are physically present, causing pain or irritation.
- Pollakiuria (Frequent Urination): The irritation tricks the dog’s brain into thinking the bladder is always full and causes him/her to go outside more often.
- Accidents in the House: Even a perfectly house trained dog can start to leak urine or have accidents in the house due to the inflammation that make them less able to hold their bladder.
- Licking the Sore or Painful Areas: Dogs will often lick at sore or painful areas as a form of self-soothing.
CRITICAL WARNING
If the stone moves out of the bladder and blocks the narrow tube (urethra) which carries urine outside the body, it can be a complete blockage of urine. This is a life-threatening medical emergency! If your dog is straining extremely hard but no urine is produced, vomiting or is very lethargic you should go to an emergency veterinarian right away.
Risks and root causes
How does this condition develop in pets, and why are some never affected and never develop it? There are several interlocking factors that help cause bladder stones in dogs:
Diet and Hydration
If your dog does not drink sufficient amounts of water, its urine will be very concentrated. Concentrated urine allows minerals to be packed tightly together and is very easy for crystals to form in your dog’s urinary system, especially in their bladder, leading to bladder stones. In addition, too much of certain minerals (such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) or protein can change the chemistry of urine, leading to the formation of stones.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Like struvite stones, persistent or unaddressed UTIs completely alter the chemical makeup of the bladder thus creating an ideal environment to promote bladder stones in dogs.
Breed and Genetics
There are a lot of genetic factors involved. The bladder capacity of small breeds is also smaller and they tend to produce more concentrated urine, making them more susceptible to a high risk profile. There are specific bladder stones in dogs that are more common in certain breeds because of genetic anomalies, such as Dalmatians, English Bulldogs and Pugs.
The diagnosis of the condition is made by veterinarians.
If your dog is exhibiting urinary troubles, your veterinarian will use a number of diagnostic tools to determine if bladder stones in dogs are to blame.
Physical Exam & Urinalysis / Diagnostic Imaging (X-rays/Ultrasound) / Stone Analysis.
- Blood tests: The vet will take a sample of blood and test it for blood cells, signs of infection, blood chemical levels and the presence of microscopic mineral crystals.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. - Digital Radiographs (X-rays): Bladder stones that are radiopaque, which means they appear very bright and white on an X-ray, many types of bladder stones in dogs (like struvite and calcium oxalate) are radiopaque.
- Urinary Ultrasound: Some stones, such as urate stones, are not detectable by the traditional X-ray. These stones can be easily identified by ultrasound, which can be used to see them in the bladder.
- Calculus Analysis: after the stones are extracted or passed, they are taken to a special laboratory. The only way to be 100% certain of the mineral composition of the bladder stones in dogs is to have a complete X-ray analysis, so that a long-range preventive care plan can be developed.
Treatment of Bladder Stones in Dogs
Treatment is greatly different based on the size of the stones, the sex of your dog and the type of mineral that is involved.
1. Surgical Removal (Cystotomy)
If the stone is very large, will not pass on its own or if there is an immediate risk of a life-threatening blockage, a surgical procedure called a cystotomy is the gold standard. The veterinarian gives the dog general anesthetic and makes an incision into the abdomen and opens the bladder, in order to gently remove all the bladder stones in a dog and thoroughly rinse away everything. Although surgery can be frightening, it can give immediate relief from pain and clear the blockage, and also remove the risk of a sudden blockage.
2. Dietary Dissolution
Medical dissolution is a possibility if your veterinarian feels that your pet is not at risk of developing a urinary blockage, and you have struvite bladder stones in dogs. This includes a prescription therapeutic diet for your dog. A special food that helps to bring the pH of the urine back into the acidic range and significantly lower the consumption of mineral salts that can form stones. Dogs gradually pass away their bladder stones over a few weeks to months.
Note:
When dissolving the stones, your dog is not allowed to eat table scraps, regular dog food, or commercial treats, since a morsel of normal food can destroy the exact chemical balance required for dissolving the stones.
3. Non-Invasive Procedures
There are in modern veterinary medicine highly specialized, non-invasive methods of treating bladder stones in dogs:
- Urohydropropulsion: If the stones are very small, the vet can sedate the dog, and use a special catheter method to flush them out from the urethra without any surgical cut.
- Laser Lithotripsy: At specialized veterinary referral centers, a laser lithotripsy is possible, where a very small laser fiber is inserted into the urinary tract and the bladder stones are physically broken down into tiny pieces that can then be urinated out.
Prevention: Stones not coming back.
Unfortunately, bladder stones in dogs tend to recur very rapidly. Without modification of your dog’s lifestyle habits, there is a very high chance that stones will reappear in a year or two. A dedicated, lifelong management approach is needed for prevention.
Increase Water Intake
Diluting the urine is the best protection against bladder stones in dogs. Urine that is diluted prevents minerals from lumping together. To get your pet to drink more, you can mix warm water or low sodium bone broth into your dog’s food, get a circulating dog water fountain, and encourage your dog to eat more canned wet food where there is a higher moisture content.
Prescription Preventative Diets
If your dog has a history of calcium oxalate or urate bladder stones, your veterinarian may recommend a maintenance diet for the rest of the dog’s life. The diets are also specifically formulated to balance the body’s internal pH and reduce the raw mineral building blocks in the bladder.
Frequent Bathroom Breaks
Avoid holding your dog’s bladder for too long. Mineral crystals have the perfect chance to settle and adhere to each other when urine remains stagnant in the bladder for too long, resulting in complete bladder stones in dogs. The frequent urination will rinse away the microscopic crystals before they do any harm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Will bladder stones pass on their own in dogs?
Sometimes little sand-like stones pass without any issue, especially in female dogs, who have a shorter, wider urethra than males. But, medium to large bladder stones in dogs cannot pass without the intervention. Trying to pass them on their own can be a huge risk of causing a urinary blockage that can lead to death. Don’t wait for the stones to go away, always consult a vet.
Q2. How long does it take to dissolve bladder stones in dogs with a special diet?
A prescription diet is usually the solution for removing bladder stones in dogs, and it takes 2 to 12 weeks to completely dissolve these stones. The amount of time it takes will vary based on the size and quantity of the stones. Continued x-rays are necessary throughout this time for monitoring.
Q3. Can dogs use apples cider vinegar to treat bladder stones?
No, do NOT use apple cider vinegar or other home remedies to help remove bladder stones from dogs. Changing your dog’s urine pH can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know what kind of stone is occurring. As another example, the treatment of a possible problem by making the urine more acidic may actually promote the formation of very dangerous calcium oxalate stones.
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Q4. On average, how long does it take for a dog to recover from bladder stone surgery?
Dogs make a wonderful recovery after a routine cystotomy. Your dog will likely have to wear an Elizabethan Collar (the “cone of shame”) and their exercise routine limited for approximately 10-14 days until their abdominal incision has healed. Your pet’s doctor will prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to help your pet recover from the surgery in a comfortable and pain-free manner.
