Urinary Bladder Stones in Dogs

Urinary and bladder stones pose a serious health risk for your dog.

Dogs can develop stones in their kidneys or urinary tracts, leading to serious and painful complications. Two types of stones commonly affect dogs: calcium oxalate stones and uric acid stones.

Causes

PetMD says that the presence of too much calcium in a dog's urine is the most common cause for urinary stones. Chronic urinary tract infections, diets that create a high urine pH and too much stone-forming substances in urine can all create kidney stones.

Symptoms

Symptoms of urinary and bladder stones include bloody urine, urinary tract infections, vomiting, problems urinating and painful urination, according to PetMD. Stones may cause inflammation in the bladder or urinary tract, leading to an irritated urinary region or enlarged belly.

Diagnosis

Veterinarians diagnose urinary stones through X-rays, blood work and ultrasounds. To diagnose kidney stones, a veterinarian may do a urinalysis and an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, which breaks up stones with sound waves.

Treatment

If kidney stones are inactive, treating dogs with stone-dissolving medication and adjusting their diets typically resolves the problem, though severe cases may require surgery. Veterinarians can flush or massage urinary stones from a dog's body, or remove them surgically.

Warning

Urinary and kidney stones can be recurrent problems, making treatment a lifelong issue. Monitor your dogs closely, since stones may completely obstruct a dog's ability to urinate.

References

• PetMD: Calcium Deposits in the Urinary Tract in Dogs
• PetMD: Kidney Stones in Dogs

Resources

• The Dog Health Guide: Dog Bladder Problems