Canine Bladder Stones
Canine bladder stones are composed of minerals that build up in the urine over time. If they aren’t treated in a timely manner, they could potentially cause a urinary obstruction. Urinary obstructions are very serious since they can damage the kidneys and lead to death.
The formation of stones can be caused by metabolic diseases or chronic infections. There are also different types of bladder stones in dogs. Urinary tract infections usually lead to the formation of struvite stones. If calcium isn’t broken down properly, calcium oxalate stones will form in the bladder.
Some dogs are also prone to developing stones composed of uric acid. Smaller breeds also have a predisposition to bladder stones. Some of these breeds include Beagle, Dachshund, Pug, Yorkshire Terrier, and Pekingese.
Canine bladder stones causes irritation of the urinary tract. Your dog will experience pain whenever he urinates and can even strain to do so. The urine may also have blood in it. Some dogs with this condition also experience vomiting, depression, and weakness
After taking note of your dog’s symptoms, the vet may suspect that your dog has stones. In order to diagnose bladder stones in dogs, the vet will need to palpate the abdominal region. This will help determine the locations of the stones. A urinalysis may also be performed in order to determine the type of substance that the stones are made of.
The first method of treatment usually involves the use of a special diet. The food has dissolving agents included to help break up the stones and allow your dog to pass them in his urine. The vet may also choose to use a urinary catheter to fill your dog’s bladder with sterile saline and flush the stones out if they are small enough.
As mentioned earlier, canine bladder stones can block the flow of urine. If a urinary tract obstruction occurs, it will be a very serious situation. Your dog may need to undergo emergency surgery. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if there is a concurrent infection.
There are certain things that you can do to prevent bladder stones in dogs. First of all, you should ensure that your dog eats only quality food. If your dog consumes food that is too rich in minerals like magnesium and calcium, it will increase his chances of developing these stones.
You also need to make sure that your dog uses the bathroom on a regular basis. You don’t want the bladder to stay full for long periods of time. It is also a good idea to give your dog plenty of exercise on a daily basis.
If you want your dog to stay healthy, then it's vital to feed him high-quality foods. Many commercial foods are actually bad for your dog, so making homemade dog food is the much better option. This will help ensure that your dog gets the nutrition he needs. You can easily make nutritious foods and treats by following these easy dog food recipes.
