Blood in your dog’s urine can be a terrifying sight. As a pet parent, seeing that reddish tinge when your furry friend goes potty can send you into full-on panic mode But did you know that bladder stones might be the culprit behind this scary symptom? These pesky mineral formations are actually more common than most pet owners realize.
I’ve spent countless hours researching this topic after my own pup Max struggled with this painful condition last year. Let me share what I’ve learned so you can better understand and help your four-legged family member.
What Exactly Are Bladder Stones in Dogs?
Bladder stones (also called uroliths or cystic calculi) are basically rock-like formations of minerals that develop inside your dog’s urinary bladder. Think of them like those pretty rocks you might find at the beach – except there’s nothing pretty about them when they’re causing your doggo pain!
These stones can vary dramatically in size and number
- Some might be tiny like grains of sand
- Others can grow larger than a golf ball (yikes!)
- Your dog might have just one large stone
- Or they could have multiple stones of various sizes
All bladder stones form because of some kind of disease or inflammation in the bladder. They start as tiny crystals that combine and harden into stones under certain conditions.
Most Common Types of Bladder Stones in Dogs
Not all bladder stones are created equal! There are actually several different types, each with their own mineral composition:
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Struvite stones – These are the most common type found in dogs. They’re made of magnesium ammonium phosphate and hexahydrate (that’s a mouthful!). These typically form when an infection is present.
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Calcium oxalate stones – These form when urine contains higher-than-normal levels of calcium and oxalate.
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Urate stones – Less common but more frequently seen in Dalmatians and Bulldogs.
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Cystine stones – These are relatively rare and typically genetic.
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Xanthine stones – The least common type.
While all dogs can develop bladder stones, some breeds seem more prone to them. Small breeds like Shih Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Bichon Frises, Lhasa Apsos, and Yorkshire Terriers have a higher incidence of bladder stones. But don’t be fooled – even large breeds can get them too!
So How DO Dogs Get Bladder Stones?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Let’s break down the main ways these painful stones develop in our furry friends:
1. Urinary Tract Infections
The #1 culprit behind bladder stones in many dogs is a urinary tract infection. When bacteria invade the bladder, they can change the pH balance of your dog’s urine. This creates the perfect environment for crystal formation.
Bacterial infections in the urinary tract can raise the salt levels in urine, which sets the stage for crystals to form. These crystals irritate the bladder lining, causing mucous production. When the mucous and crystals combine, they harden into stones and can grow larger over time.
2. Mineral Imbalances
Your dog’s body naturally contains certain minerals. When these minerals aren’t properly processed by the urinary system, or when they’re found at higher-than-normal levels in the urine, they can crystallize.
Dogs who are fed diets high in magnesium, phosphorus, and protein are more likely to develop bladder stones. This is why diet plays such a crucial role in both causing and preventing this condition.
3. Concentrated Urine
When dogs don’t drink enough water, their urine becomes highly concentrated. This concentration makes it easier for minerals to clump together and form crystals, which can eventually turn into stones.
I always make sure Max has fresh water available at all times after his stone episode. He’s never been a great water drinker, which probably contributed to his bladder stone problem.
4. Abnormal Urine pH
The acidity level (pH) of your dog’s urine is super important! If their urine becomes either too acidic or too alkaline, the risk of bladder stone formation increases significantly.
5. Underlying Health Conditions
Some dogs develop bladder stones because of other health problems. For example, dogs with Cushing’s disease have an increased risk of bladder stones.
There’s also a genetic component for some types of stones. Some dogs have a condition called Hyperuricosuria, which is an autosomal recessive disorder that can be inherited. This condition causes elevated uric acid levels, which changes the pH levels in urine and can lead to bladder stones.
6. Formation Timeline
Wondering how quickly these stones can form? Well, bladder stones can develop in as little as two weeks or take several months to form. The timeline depends on:
- The environment in the bladder
- The concentration of the urine
- The amount of infection present
Warning Signs: How to Tell if Your Dog Has Bladder Stones
Now that we know how they form, let’s talk about how to spot the problem. Not all dogs with bladder stones show symptoms, which makes regular vet check-ups even more important.
Here are the most common signs to watch for:
- Blood in urine – This is often the first sign pet parents notice
- Straining to urinate – Your dog might take longer to pee or seem uncomfortable
- Increased frequency of urination – Multiple small pee breaks instead of normal elimination
- Passing only small amounts of urine – Trouble emptying the bladder completely
- Pain when urinating or when the abdomen is touched – Your dog might yelp or whimper
- Licking of the urinary opening – Excessive attention to this area
- Urinating in inappropriate places – Accidents in the house when they’re normally house-trained
- Complete inability to urinate – THIS IS AN EMERGENCY! Get to a vet immediately
Less common signs might include lethargy, weight loss, and increased thirst.
How Your Vet Will Diagnose Bladder Stones
If you suspect your dog has bladder stones, don’t wait – call your vet right away. Here’s how they’ll likely diagnose the problem:
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Physical exam – Your vet will feel your dog’s abdomen to check for pain and possibly feel larger stones.
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Urinalysis – A sample of your dog’s urine will be tested for blood, crystals, abnormal pH, and signs of infection.
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Blood work – This helps check your dog’s overall health and can identify factors contributing to stone formation.
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X-rays – Most bladder stones show up as white circular objects on X-rays.
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Ultrasound – This non-invasive test uses sound waves to visualize the bladder and can detect stones that might not be visible on X-rays.
It’s worth noting that some types of bladder stones don’t show up well on regular X-rays, so your vet might need to use contrast X-rays or ultrasound to get a complete picture.
Treatment Options for Doggy Bladder Stones
Good news – bladder stones are treatable! The approach your vet recommends will depend on the type of stone, its size, and your dog’s overall health.
1. Diet Change
For some types of stones (especially struvite stones), a special prescription diet along with antibiotics can actually dissolve the crystals. This is the most natural treatment option available.
Special prescription urinary diets work by:
- Changing the pH of your dog’s urine
- Reducing certain minerals in the food
- Increasing your dog’s water intake to dilute the urine
However, this approach does have some limitations:
- You need to know which type of stone it is to determine the right diet
- It takes at least 6-8 weeks to see if it’s working
- Some dogs won’t eat the special food
- You can’t give your dog any other treats or supplements during treatment
2. Non-Surgical Removal Options
There are several less-invasive ways to remove bladder stones:
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Urohydropropulsion – Your vet can pass a special catheter through the urethra into the bladder and use water to flush out the stones.
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Cystoscopy – A tiny camera can be inserted into the bladder to view and sometimes remove smaller stones.
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Ultrasonic Dissolution – This cool procedure uses ultrasonic sound waves to break up the stones into smaller pieces that can be flushed out.
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Laser Lithotripsy – A laser is used to break large bladder stones into smaller pieces that can then be flushed out or retrieved.
3. Surgical Removal
When other methods aren’t possible or effective, surgery may be the best option. The most common surgical procedure is called a Cystotomy.
During this surgery, your dog will be under anesthesia while the vet opens the abdomen, accesses the bladder, and removes the stones. Although it sounds scary, this is actually a routine procedure that most vets are very familiar with, and recovery is relatively quick for most otherwise healthy dogs.
Preventing Future Bladder Stones
Once your dog has had bladder stones, there’s unfortunately a high chance they could come back. But don’t worry! There’s plenty you can do to reduce the risk:
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Increase water intake – More water = more diluted urine = fewer stones. Some pet parents add water to their dog’s food or use water fountains to encourage drinking.
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Feed the right diet – Your vet might recommend a special diet to prevent specific types of stones from forming again.
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Regular check-ups – Periodic urinalysis and urine cultures can detect early signs of trouble.
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At-home monitoring – You can use urine test strips at home to check for signs of bladder stones between vet visits.
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Frequent potty breaks – Make sure your dog has multiple opportunities to empty their bladder completely every day.
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Consider supplements – Some supplements can help maintain a healthy urinary tract, but always check with your vet first.
The Bottom Line
Bladder stones in dogs can be painful and frightening, but with proper veterinary care, they’re very treatable. Understanding how they form is the first step in prevention.
If your dog is showing any signs of urinary issues, don’t wait – see your vet as soon as possible. Early intervention can make treatment easier and less expensive.
Remember, each dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Work closely with your veterinarian to develop the best prevention and treatment plan for your furry friend.
Have you ever dealt with bladder stones in your dog? What treatment worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Disclaimer: I’m not a veterinarian, just a concerned dog parent who’s done a lot of research. Always consult with your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment of your pet’s medical conditions.
What are bladder stones?
Bladder stones (also called uroliths or cystic calculi) are rock-like formations of minerals that develop in the urinary bladder. There may be a large, single stone, or a collection of stones that range in size from sand-like grains to gravel. Many times, there is a mixture of both large and small stones present. All stones form because of disease or inflammation in the bladder.
How are bladder stones treated?
There are three main treatment options for bladder stones: surgical removal, non-surgical removal by urohydropropulsion, and dietary dissolution.
The specific treatment recommended for your dog will depend on the type of stone present. Your veterinarian will discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option with you in more detail, based on your dogs individual circumstances.
Surgery: This is often the quickest way of treating bladder stones; however, it may not be the best option for patients that have other health concerns, or in whom general anesthesia could be risky. With this option, the stones are removed via cystotomy: a surgical procedure to access and open the bladder so that the stones can be removed. This surgery is routine and dogs usually make a rapid postoperative recovery. If the stones have obstructed the urethra such that the dog is unable to urinate, an emergency procedure must be performed IMMEDIATELY to save the dogs life.
Voiding urohydropropulsion: If the bladder stones are very small, it may be possible to pass a catheter into the bladder to fill it and then flush the stones out, using a non-surgical technique called urohydropropulsion. In some cases, this procedure may be performed with the dog under heavy sedation, although general anesthesia is often necessary. This procedure may not work in some cases and may be less effective in male dogs due to urethral anatomy.
Cystoscopy: If your veterinarian has a cystoscope (a very small camera on a long tube), it can sometimes remove small stones in the bladder, thereby avoiding a surgical procedure to open the bladder.
Dietary dissolution: In some cases, bladder stones can be dissolved by feeding your dog a special diet that is formulated to dissolve bladder stones. This diet will be tailored to the specific type of stone present, though most of these diets are now formulated to help prevent the two most common types of crystal or stone formation: struvite and calcium oxalate. Common diets used for this purpose are Hills Prescription Diet C/D, Purina UR/StOX, and Royal Canin Urinary SO. This approach avoids surgery and can be a good choice for some dogs; however, it has three disadvantages:
- It is not successful for all types of stones. Stone analysis is necessary to determine if it is the type of stone that can be successfully dissolved, and it may not be possible in all cases. Sometimes, your veterinarian will make an educated guess about the type of stone, based on the X-ray appearance and the results of a urinalysis.
- It is slow. It may take several weeks or a few months to dissolve a large stone, so your dog may continue to have bloody urine, straining, and recurrent infections during that time. The risk of urethral obstruction is still present while waiting for the stones to dissolve.
- Not all dogs will eat the special diet. These diets only work if they are fed exclusively, which means that no treats or supplements can be given to your dog while it is on the special diet.
Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats: Top 3 Effective Remedies
FAQ
Why does my dog have urinary stones?
Stones in the kidneys and the urinary bladder can also block the flow of urine. If your dog shows these symptoms, you should consult with a vet immediately because any obstruction in the urinary tract can be harmful. How Are Urinary Stones in Dogs Diagnosed? Your vet will recommend an evaluation of your dog’s urine and blood for diagnosis.
What are bladder stones in dogs?
Bladder stones in dogs are hard deposits of mineral that form within the urinary bladder. Sometimes dogs won’t show any symptoms of having bladder stones, but in other dogs, stones may prevent them from being able to pee, which is an emergency. You can reduce the risk of bladder stones in dogs by ensuring your pet receives regular veterinary care.
How do I know if my dog has bladder stones?
Here are some of the signs you may see if your dog has bladder stones. If you notice your dog has symptoms consistent with bladder stones, especially blood in their urine, it’s time to visit the vet. They can make a proper diagnosis and recommend the right treatment options. It’s hard to diagnose bladder stones by just looking at your dog.
What are the treatment options for bladder stones in dogs?
There are three main treatment options for bladder stones: surgical removal, non-surgical removal by urohydropropulsion, and dietary dissolution. The specific treatment recommended for your dog will depend on the type of stone present.
How long does it take bladder stones to form in dogs?
How Long Does It Take Bladder Stones To Develop? In most cases, it takes anywhere from 3-6 months for large bladder stones to form. Though it will take some time for the larger stones to develop, small bladder stones in dogs have been known to form in as little as 2-3 weeks.
Are bladder stones painful for dogs?
Yes, bladder stones can be very painful for dogs and can cause symptoms such as straining to urinate, blood in the urine, and frequent urination. 3.
What food causes bladder stones in dogs?
Can a dog live with bladder stones?
No, a dog cannot live with untreated bladder stones; they are a serious medical condition that can lead to severe pain, urinary tract obstructions, kidney damage, and potentially fatal outcomes. Prompt veterinary diagnosis and treatment, which may involve diet, medication, surgery, or minimally-invasive procedures, are essential for a good prognosis. Lifelong management may be required to prevent recurrence, which can include special diets and increased water intake.
How to stop bladder stones in dogs?