Bladder stones can form in animals just like they do in humans. They are rock-like collections of minerals that form in the urinary bladder. Bladder stones can form in a range of different sizes, varying from one or multiple large stones or a collection of smaller stones.
The formation of bladder stones can be caused by various different reasons, some of which including;
- Increased mineral levels in the urine such as calcium, magnesium and phosphate that allow super saturation of crystals then these crystals stick together and gradually form over time increasing in numbers and size.
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Alkaline or acidic urine pH levels so it is important to try to keep the urine neutral.
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Bacterial infections in the bladder that alter the pH of the urine encouraging crystal formation.
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Abnormal metabolism of various minerals of an individual dog, some breeds are more prone to this such as Dalmatians.
Things to look out for when you suspect your dog may have bladder stones:
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Blood in urine
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Straining to urinate
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Increased toileting
Blood in the urine occurs when the stones irritate and damage the bladder lining, straining to urinate and increased toileting occur when the stones inflame and irritate the bladder walls causing pain and swelling.
Bladder stones can become significant and life-threatening if not treated promptly. When the stones attempt to make their way out of the bladder they can become stuck in the urethra, causing a partial or complete obstruction of the urinary tract. In this instance, Veterinary intervention is essential to resolve this life threating health issue.
Symptoms to look out for if an obstruction occurs is the inability to pass urine as well as systemic signs directly related to not being able to void the urine. These symptoms include lack of appetite, vomiting and lethargy.
If the bladder cannot be emptied, toxic products that are usually passed through the urine then build up in the blood and then can cause serious damage to the kidneys. If the bladder is blocked and cannot be emptied, it can also rupture and urine can then enter the abdominal cavity resulting in your dog needing to be seen immediately by your vet.
When it comes to treating bladder stones, there are two different options.
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The most effective treatment solution for bladder stones is getting them surgically removed as recovery is quick and often very successful.
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The second option is to try and dissolve certain types of bladder stones with a special kind of diet, sometimes this can be a very good choice for some dogs but however does have some disadvantages. These can include; success rates are not as high as surgery and are not successful for all stone types. Treating by this method is a very slow process and can take up to several months to dissolve the stones so blood in urine, straining and frequency of toileting is still occurring during this time and risk of urethral obstruction is still high. Sometimes not all dogs will eat the special diet that is needed to dissolve the stones and if the diet isn’t fed exclusively treatment will not work.
You may ask, can future bladder stones be prevented?
In some cases, yes they can be. The number one way to prevent reoccurrence is diet! Once stones have been surgically removed or dissolved, future stones can be prevented from reoccurrence by adhering to a prescription diet formulated for patients with urinary and bladder conditions.
Changing the diet to the prescription diet has multiple beneficial effects such as it alters the pH level of the urine and in doing so creates a less hospitable environment for bacteria to grow. It also reduces the concentration of the minerals that are an issue.
If your animal has had previous episodes of bladder stones, it’s important to book regular vet checks to ensure there are no recurrent formations of bladder stones. These vet checks may include urine tests. If your animal hasn’t been effected by bladder stones before and you notice any of these symptoms, please do not hesitate to call us to ask any questions or to book an appointment for a check-up.