Bladder Stones in Dogs
What are Bladder Stones?
Bladder stones (cystoliths or cystic calculi) are mineral and substance accumulations that form in the bladder. They can cause irritation to the bladder lining, increase the risk of urinary infections, or obstruct the urethra (the tube that carries urine outside the body). Obstructions are particularly dangerous in male dogs due to their narrower urethras.
Types of Bladder Stones and Causes
Struvite Stones: Often caused by bladder infections, struvite stones are more common in female dogs.
Calcium Oxalate Stones: These stones are more frequent in certain dog breeds like miniature schnauzers, shih tzus, and Yorkshire terriers. They can also develop due to conditions such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) or hypercalcemia (high blood calcium).
Urate Stones: Associated with liver problems (e.g., portosystemic vascular shunts), urate stones are more common in Dalmatians and English bulldogs.
Other Stones: Rarely, dogs can develop cystine, calcium phosphate, xanthine, or silica stones.
Signs of Bladder Stones
Urination Issues: Frequent urination, urgency, and small volumes of urine.
Pain During Urination: Blood may appear throughout the urine stream or worse at the end of urination.
Urinary Obstruction: Stones may block the urethra, particularly in male dogs. This leads to straining without urine production and abdominal pain, requiring emergency care.
Bladder Irritation: Dogs may show discomfort and pain when attempting to urinate.
How We Diagnose Bladder Stones
Blood and Urine Tests: Routine blood tests, urinalysis, and urine cultures help in diagnosing bladder stones. Urine culture is important to rule out infections that could be contributing to or caused by the stones.
X-rays: Struvite and calcium oxalate stones can typically be detected on plain x-rays. However, some small or rare stones may not be visible and may require an abdominal ultrasound.
Stone Analysis: Stones removed from the bladder are sent for composition analysis to guide further treatment.
What You Can Do at Home
Monitor for Obstruction: If your dog is straining to urinate without producing any urine or shows signs of pain, contact a veterinarian immediately, as this could indicate a urinary obstruction.
Dietary Control: Follow the dietary recommendations provided by your vet to help manage the condition. For struvite stones, a special diet may help dissolve the stones.
Priority / Urgency / Emergency
A urinary obstruction is an EMERGENCY
Obstruction: Urinary obstruction is an emergency and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Urinary irritation is an URGENCY
Non-Emergency: If your dog shows signs of bladder irritation but is not obstructed, a veterinary visit is necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Options at a Veterinary Facility
Struvite Stones: These can often be dissolved with a special diet and antibiotics to control any underlying infection. It usually takes 1-3 months to dissolve struvite stones.
Calcium Oxalate Stones: These stones cannot be dissolved with dietary changes. The only treatment is physical removal via bladder surgery (cystotomy) or laser therapy, if available. In some cases, small stones can be flushed out under anesthesia.
Urate Stones: For Dalmatians, a special diet and allopurinol (oral medication) can help dissolve stones and prevent recurrence.
Preventive Care: After stone removal, maintaining a moist food diet and keeping urine dilute, as well as maintaining alkaline urine pH, can help prevent recurrence.
Follow-Up Care
Follow up with your vet is often needed periodically. A combination of urinalyses (analysis of urine), urine culture, or imaging may be needed to continue to track for any changes in stone size/formation.
Prognosis
Full Recovery: Bladder stones can usually be removed surgically, with many dogs making a full recovery.
Recurrence: While some stones may recur, following the prescribed diet and preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of future stones. Proper management may provide long-term relief and reduce recurrence for several years.
