Can Kidney Stones Be Confused With Bladder Cancer in Dogs?
Bladder cancer is one of the most lethal cancers that a dog can get. According to Dr. Jeffrey Philibert, survival rate can be as long as a year or merely weeks. One of the reasons that bladder cancer is so lethal is that the symptoms match those for urinary infections, bladder stones and kidney stones.
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Symptoms
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Early symptoms for bladder cancer, urinary infections, kidney and bladder stones begin with blood in the urine and include passing smaller than usual amounts of urine and straining or crying out in pain while urinating and during defecation, as well, sometimes. The dog may begin having accidents in the home because it will be overcome with a sudden need to immediately urinate.
Causes
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Kidney stones occur because the blood flow is getting cut off to the kidneys, making them unable to filter out toxins as well as usual. The blood flow gets cuts off because of damage to the kidneys from poison or exposure to medications such as aspirin. Although the cause of bladder cancer is unknown, one theory is that it is caused by kidney damage due to exposure of poisons like lawn care chemicals or to medications.
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Significance
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Because there is such a similarity in the symptoms of many urinary tract disorders, never assume the dog only has an infection and not kidney stones or bladder cancer. The dog needs to be taken to the vet for a thorough diagnosis. Without a correct diagnosis, the dog cannot get the treatment it needs.
Diagnosis
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Tests are available to determine whether a dog has kidney stones or bladder cancer. Urinalysis, as well as a complete blood count and X-rays, can help determine whether a dog has kidney stones. Bladder cancer tests include searching a urine sample for tumor cells and an ultrasound to quickly find any strange masses in the bladder.
Considerations
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According to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, et al, 2007), Scottish terriers get bladder cancer more than any other dog breed. The reason is unknown. Because of their predisposition, any time a Scottish terrier appears to have a urinary infection or kidney stones, it should be tested for bladder cancer.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
