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. “The role of adequate water intake cannot be stressed enough.” Water reduces the ability of a bladder stone to develop, Glazer adds.
When it comes to ensuring the health and wellness of your beloved dog, there are many elements to consider. Bladder stones are a concern for pet parents, as they can cause serious health issues if left untreated. In this blog post, we will explore the symptoms, causes, and preventative measures of bladder stones in dogs, so you can be informed and prepared to help your pet stay healthy. Bladder stones are a hard mass that form within the bladder, and can be composed of different types of minerals and components. Several factors can contribute to the formation of bladder stones, including the type of diet, medical conditions, and genetics, so it’s important to be aware of the potential risk factors to be able to prevent them. While the primary way to prevent bladder stones is to be proactive by making sure your pet receives regular veterinary care, there are also some dietary and lifestyle changes that can be taken to minimize the risk of bladder stones in dogs. In this blog post, we’
What other kinds of stones are there?
Bile salts are present in gall stones, which develop in the gall bladder. Kidney stones are mineralized formations that develop in the kidney. Neither of these are directly related to bladder stones. Although the urinary system includes both the kidneys and the bladder, the development of kidney stones is typically unrelated to the development of bladder stones. Every disease or inflammatory condition in the affected structure leads to the development of stones.
How are bladder stones diagnosed?
The symptoms of bladder stones are comparable to those of a simple cystitis or bladder infection. Bladder stones are uncommon in dogs with bladder infections. Therefore, it is not only on the basis of these common clinical signs that bladder stones are present.
Through the abdominal wall, some bladder stones can be palpated (feet with the fingers). However, failure to palpate them does not rule them out. Some stones are too small to be palpated this way, or the bladder may be too swollen and painful to allow it. ( via Wikimedia Commons / Joel Mills (CC BY-SA 3. 0. ).
On radiographs (X-rays) or during an ultrasound bladder examination, the majority of bladder stones are visible. Due to the mineral makeup of some bladder stones, they are radiolucent or invisible on radiographs, and do not reflect X-ray beams. A radiographic contrast study, a specialized X-ray technique that uses dye or contrast material to outline the stones within the bladder, or an ultrasound examination can both be used to detect them. Therefore, dogs that exhibit abdominal pain symptoms or have recurrent cystitis episodes should undergo one or more of these diagnostic imaging procedures.
Bladder stones can typically be treated in one of three ways: surgical removal, non-surgical removal via urohydropropulsion, or dietary dissolution. Depending on the type of stone that is present, a specific course of treatment may be suggested for your dog. Based on the particular circumstances of your dog, your veterinarian will go over the benefits and drawbacks of each treatment option with you in more detail.
Surgical removal of bladder stones. Although this is frequently the quickest method of treating bladder stones, it might not be the best choice for patients with other health issues or those for whom general anesthesia poses a risk. Through a surgical procedure known as a cystotomy, the bladder is accessed and opened in order to remove the stones. Many veterinarians regularly perform this surgery, and dogs typically recover quickly afterward. To save the dog’s life, an emergency procedure must be done right away if the stones have blocked the urethra and prevented it from allowing the dog to urinate.
Urohydropropulsion. If the bladder stones are very small, a non-surgical procedure known as urohydropropulsion may be used to insert a special catheter into the bladder and flush the stones out. Although general anesthesia is frequently required, this procedure can occasionally be carried out while the dog is heavily sedated. Small bladder stones can occasionally be removed by your veterinarian using a cystoscope, avoiding the need for surgery to open the bladder.
To obtain a sample stone for analysis so that your veterinarian can determine whether dietary dissolution is possible, you can use either of these non-surgical methods.
Dietary dissolution. In some circumstances, bladder stones can be removed by feeding your dog a special diet designed to do so. The type of stone that is present will determine how this diet should be modified. The advantage of this option is that it avoids surgery. It can be a very good choice for some dogs. However, it has three disadvantages:
Are bladder stones in dogs contagious for humans or other pets?
Several tests may be needed to determine whether bladder stones are present. For instance, a urinalysis can cost between $65 and $175; x-rays can cost up to $50; ultrasounds can cost up to $250; and bloodwork can cost at least $100. Given that these are merely diagnostic procedures, the overall cost of a bladder stone case may be quite high.
Depending on the veterinarian or specialist and where you live, surgery can cost up to $1700 and start at around $700. Some offices charge separately for the anesthesia/sedation.
Follow-up appointments, medication, and possibly a prescription diet that your dog may need to use for the rest of his or her life are post-surgery costs to take into account.
FAQ
What type of food causes bladder stones in dogs?
Avoid giving your dog oxalate-rich foods like spinach, sweet potatoes, organ meat, and brown rice to reduce the risk of bladder stones developing in your dog or returning after they have been removed.
What can I give my dog to prevent bladder stones?
Diets like Hill’s Prescription Diet® w/d® Multi-Benefit, Purina® ProPlan® Veterinary Diet UR OxTM/StTM, and Rayne Clinical Nutrition Adult Health-RSSTM may be helpful.
Why does my dog keep getting bladder stones?
Strucvite crystals will precipitate or leave the solution if the urine is excessively concentrated or if it becomes alkaline (as opposed to acidic). Strivite bladder stones typically develop in dogs as a side effect of a bladder infection brought on by bacteria that produce the urease enzyme.
How do you prevent recurrent bladder stones in dogs?
To promote water intake, most dogs should be fed a canned or wet diet. urine that has been diluted to a low urine specific gravity (USpG less than 1). 020) is crucial for preventing bladder stones made of calcium oxalate.