What are bladder stones in dogs?
Also sometimes referred to as cystic calculi or uroliths, bladder stones are formed from minerals that often develop into rock-like formations in a dog's urinary bladder.
These may be a collection of small stones or a singular larger stone that may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a piece of gravel. Small and large stones may coexist can cause an obstruction.
What are the symptoms of bladder stones in dogs?
Common symptoms of bladder stones in dogs include:
- Straining to urinate (Dysuria)
- Blood in urine (Hematuria)
When stones rub up against the bladder wall, they can cause tissue damage, irritation, and bleeding. If the urethra (the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) or bladder wall becomes swollen or inflamed, the flow or urine may become physically blocked, resulting in muscle spasms. These can cause your dog to strain when attempting to urinate.
What causes bladder stones in dogs?
A combination of factors, including genetics, and underlying medical conditions, typically contributes to bladder stones in dogs. A dry food diet that's high in carbohydrates may also be the culprit. Bagged dog foods often contain filler carbs like grains to make their product look bigger and last longer. However, excessive grains are not a natural part of a canine's average meal. If your dog eats them for an extended period of time, the carbohydrates will change your pooch's acid levels and bladder stones may develop.
Certain minerals such as magnesium and phosphate in dog food can also increase the chances of crystals forming in the urine, so avoid feeding your dog food with excessive amounts of these minerals. Specific foods to avoid include spinach, sweet potatoes, organ meat, and brown rice.
In some cases, certain breeds may be more prone to developing bladder stones due to their genetic predisposition.
Diagnosis of Bladder Stones in Dogs
While symptoms of bladder stones are similar to those of an uncomplicated bladder infection or cystitis, the two are different – most dogs who have bladder stones do not have a bladder infection. Therefore, your vet may need to run certain diagnostic tests before providing a definitive diagnosis.
Some stones may be too small for your vet to feel with their fingers when doing a preliminary physical exam, or the bladder may be inflamed. X-rays, an ultrasound, and radiographic contrast studies are a few diagnostic options your vet may recommend.
How to Get Rid of Bladder Stones in Dogs
If your pooch is diagnosed with bladder stones, your next question may be, "What dissolves bladder stones in dogs?".
There are typically three potential treatment options for bladder stones:
- Surgical removal
- Non-surgical removal by urohydropropulsion
- Prescription diet and antibiotics
If left untreated, these stones can cause pain and obstruct the neck of the bladder or urethra, preventing your dog from fully emptying his or her bladder and only producing small squirts of urine.
Complete obstructions can lead to urine being totally blocked. If the obstruction is not relieved, this can cause a potentially life-threatening condition and lead to a ruptured bladder. This would be classified as a veterinary medical emergency, which would need your veterinarian's immediate attention.
Preventing Your Dog From Developing Bladder Stones
Feeding your dog a high-quality, meat-based, fresh protein diet (similar to what they would eat in the wild) may be the best option to prevent problems, as this natural protein keeps a pup's urine acidic. Most stones will not grow in an acidic environment, which can keep bladder stones from developing and save your dog significant pain.
Specifically, include foods such as peeled apples, wild rice, meats, and fish in their diet. You'll also want to encourage your dog to drink lots of water, as hydration can flush out small crystals from the bladder.
Ask your vet about any specific measures they recommend implementing to prevent bladder stones in your dog.
Other Types of Stones
Gallstones form in the bladder as well, but they contain bile salts, whereas kidney stones are mineral deposits that form in the kidney. Both of these are not related to bladder stones. Although the urinary bladder and kidneys are both components of the urinary system, kidney stones are rarely associated with bladder stones. These stones form in one of these structures due to inflammation or disease.
Prognosis
The prognosis is usually good after bladder stones have been removed. Your veterinarian should take preventative measures to keep the stones from recurring.
Your dog should go to your primary care veterinarian on a regular basis (every few months) for diagnostic tests like X-rays or ultrasounds to see if the stones have returned. If the stones are small enough, your veterinarian may be able to remove them without surgery.
If your dog is having trouble urinating, our veterinarians can help. We have extensive experience diagnosing and effectively treating a wide range of conditions and illnesses.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.