Dog Bladder Stones: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Canine bladder stones are a common occurrence in dogs over the age of six. Bladder stones occur when there is an excess of crystallized minerals formed within the urinary tract.

The formation of these crystals can be caused by low water intake, high calcium levels, and high alkaline levels of the urine.

Bladder stones will obstruct the flow of urine through the urinary tract and cause pain for your dog. The stones could also lead to bladder infections or even death if left untreated.

Bladder Stones: What are They?

Bladder stones often referred to as uroliths, consist of solidified mineral deposits that form within the bladder. Stones can consist of several minerals, including calcium oxalate, struvite, uric acid, or cystine.

Uroliths are classified as either: hard – this includes stones such as struvite and calcium oxalate; or soft – which includes cystine, uric acid, and ammonium urate stones.

Symptoms of Bladder Stones in Dogs: Some Common Warning Signs to Watch For

If you suspect your dog is suffering from bladder stones, the first thing you should do is consult your vet.

Your veterinarian will most likely perform a urine analysis to determine if your dog has bladder stones. He or she will also look at the size of the stones, their color, and what material they are composed of.

There are several symptoms to look for that may indicate bladder stones in your dog:

• Blood in Urine – If there are bladder stones present, this can indicate inflammation or irritation within the urethra or bladder.
• Crystals in Urine – You may detect crystals in your dog’s urine which could signal the presence of bladder stones. Bladder stones often consist of struvite and cystine, making it possible for both to be present in your dog’s urine.
• Difficulty Urinating – Your dog may experience discomfort or pain when urinating. He may even show signs of hesitancy to go outside and might start urinating in inappropriate locations.
• Frequent Urination – If your dog starts urinating more often than normal, this is a sign that your dog may be experiencing pain when urinating.
• Pain – If you feel like your dog is in pain or discomfort when he goes to urinate, this is another warning sign.
• Blood in Stool – This symptom may indicate that the bladder stones have migrated out of the bladder and into the urethra. It can also mean that there are bacteria in the bladder or that there is an infection of the urinary tract.

 

If you notice any of these above symptoms, call your vet immediately for further diagnosis.

Treatment of Bladder Stones in Dogs: What Will Happen at the Vet and How Much is it Going to Cost?

Your veterinarian will likely conduct x-rays on your dog to determine the size and location of any stones that may be present.

They will also check your dog’s bloodwork and urine sample. The vet is likely to remove a small amount of urine for DNA testing later on.

Your veterinarian might recommend surgery if there are bladder stones, but this depends on their type of stone. For example, if they are made up of a material that is easy to remove surgically, your vet might recommend surgery.

However, if the stones are hard or there are multiple stones present, your vet may opt for nonsurgical options instead. These will include dietary and environmental changes as well as medication. The cost of this type of treatment is typically between $200 and $500.

If your pet has bladder stones, you need to take him or her in on a routine basis for rechecks so that your vet can monitor the treatment and make sure the condition is getting better.

This will also help you get answers about any other health issues that are related to your dog’s bladder stones.

 

What Can You Do for Your Dog and How to Prevent Bladder Stones in Dogs: What Type of Diet Will Help?

If you are sure that your dog has bladder stones, your vet will likely recommend a special diet as part of the treatment.

This might include commercial or homemade prescription diets that provide for high levels of fluids and low levels of calcium.

Your vet will also most likely recommend giving your dog a diet that is lower in protein but higher in fat to help with bladder stones.

It would help if you did not change your dog’s diet without the advice of your veterinarian because this can make the problem worse. If you are considering changing their diet, discuss it with your vet first to make sure that you are doing the right thing.

You should also monitor the amount of water that your dog drinks every day.

If he is not urinating frequently, increase his fluid intake. Also, refrain from putting any supplements in his food. Your dog’s urine pH level can change dramatically once you put these types of additives into his diet.

Keeping your dog’s body weight in a healthy range can also help keep the risk of bladder stones from occurring in the first place.

Overweight dogs are more at risk for developing this condition, so keeping them on an exercise program can help with this issue. Also, you will want to make sure that he gets plenty of high-quality protein and low levels of phosphorus and calcium in his diet.

 

Dog Bladder Stones Can Be a Critical Issue: What Will Happen to Your Dog if His Condition Gets Seriously Bad?

If your dog has bladder stones, you will notice that he is peeing more often than normal and experiencing pain when urinating. He might also refuse to urinate and show signs of pain when he does. You will be able to feel bladder stones in the tissue of his abdomen if you feel it gently.

If left untreated, these stones can cause a number of serious health consequences, including blockage within the urinary tract or urethra.

This can lead to infertility in male dogs. In addition, kidney failure can occur due to the blockage of urine flow in the kidneys.

In severe cases, your dog might develop an infection that spreads throughout his body and causes him to die within a few days.

Once an infection occurs, you will need to get treatment for it right away to manage the symptoms and prevent further damage to your dog.

The best way to avoid bladder stones is to make sure that you know whether or not your dog has them, and if he does, work with your vet to find the right treatment.

If they go untreated, watch for warning signs of serious health consequences so that you can get help as soon as possible.

Symptoms and Prevention of Bladder Stones in Dogs: Your Dog’s Urinary Tract at Risk for many Issues?

When bladder stones are present in your dog, you will need to get treatment for them right away. If left untreated, they can cause a number of serious health consequences, including blockage within the urinary tract or urethra.

This can lead to infertility in male dogs. In addition, kidney failure can occur due to the blockage of urine flow in the kidneys.

In severe cases, your dog might develop an infection that spreads throughout his body and causes him to die within a few days.

Once an infection occurs, you will need to get treatment for it right away to manage the symptoms and prevent further damage to your dog.

The best way to avoid bladder stones is to make sure that you know whether or not your dog has them, and if he does, work with your vet to find the right treatment.

If they go untreated, watch for warning signs of serious health consequences so that you can get help as soon as possible.

It is always important to understand the signs and symptoms of bladder stones in dogs, so you can watch out for them before they cause serious health complications.

You will notice a few different changes in your dog’s behavior and habits if he has this condition, including:

• He urinates more often than normal.
• His urine is discolored or contains blood.
• He refuses to go to the bathroom entirely.
• You can feel a small bump in his abdominal tissue if you are touching him gently.
• Other signs and symptoms of bladder stones in dogs include swollen testicles, nauseousness, depression, nausea, vomiting, and excessive gas.

These symptoms do not mean your dog has bladder stones, but they will require you to take him to the vet.

You should often go ahead and make an appointment every year in order to monitor his health and keep everything from getting worse.

If you think that your dog might have bladder stones, talk with your vet about whether or not he should be examined.

He might need to be examined if you notice some specific symptoms, but it is usually a good idea to get him checked out once a year just to monitor his health and check for signs of bladder stones.

Treatment for Bladder Stones in Dogs: What Are You Going to Do About Your Dog’s Condition?

Once your vet confirms that your dog does have bladder stones, he will help you figure out the right treatment for his condition. Treatment options vary depending on the type of stone and whether or not complications are present.

The different types of stones include:

• Calcium Oxalate Stones: These types of bladder stones are very common in dogs. They tend to be formed by the combination of dietary oxalate and calcium in the urine. If their calcifications are less than 0.4 x 2 mm, it is common for them to pass within one or two days without medical attention. If they are larger than this, you will have to make an appointment with your vet to remove them surgically.
• Struvite Stones: If your dog has struvite stones, he might need surgery or other medical interventions right away. In most cases, these stones are caused by a urinary tract infection that causes his body to form crystals that stick together and eventually develop into stone formations. If you notice that your dog has a fever, loss of appetite and other symptoms of an infection, take him to the vet right away. These are serious symptoms that require professional medical attention.
• Calcium Phosphate Stones: If your dog has these types of stones, a combination of surgery and medication will likely be necessary. The chances that he will develop them are increased if he is on a high protein diet or is taking in excess vitamins. Sometimes dogs get them as a result of kidney disease, so your vet might do some tests to see whether or not this applies to your dog.

 

Preventing Bladder Stones in Dogs: What Are You Going to Do About Your Dog’s Condition?

In order to avoid bladder stones, you need to make sure that your dog gets the right nutrition.

He should receive calcium and phosphorus levels that are correct for his age, breed, and overall health.

Calcium oxalate is one of the most common types of stones that dogs develop, so you can also lower your dog’s risk by making sure that he doesn’t consume too much dietary oxalate.

Your dog should also drink plenty of water. It is important that he regularly urinates to dissolve any crystals that might have formed and keep the right PH balance in his urine, which will reduce his risk of developing stones.

What Do Bladder Stones in Dogs Look Like?

Although bladder stones are typically small enough to pass without your dog noticing that he has them in his bladder, large stones can become lodged in the urethra or block it entirely. It is not uncommon for large stones to cause infection.

If your dog has a stone in his bladder, you will notice symptoms such as straining to urinate, an inflamed penis, and blood in his urine.

In some cases, he might not be able to urinate at all. Your vet will want to do X-rays in order to see whether or not your dog has stones.

Dog Bladder Stones Dietary and Herbal Approaches

Here are some dietary and herbal approaches to managing bladder stones for your dog.

• Oil of oregano (made from wild Mediterranean oregano) has been used for thousands of years to treat bladder infections. It can be given in small doses (0.1 ccs pure oil) up to 5 times per day, depending on your dog’s infection severity.
• Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps maintain a healthy immune system and helps kill bacteria. It can also be used as an antioxidant for your dog in a dose of 250 mg up to 5 times daily.
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) can help flush out excess minerals from the kidneys and bladder. The best way to get it into your dog is to make some tea and give it to him. You can also buy parsley oil capsules and give your dog 0.32 mL of the oil up to 4 times daily.
• Olive leaf extract (Olea europaea) is another potent herb with antioxidant and antibacterial properties that have been shown to help prevent stones developing in dogs. Give your dog between 0.64 and 1 mL of olive leaf extract up to 5 times per day.
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a powerful herb that helps get rid of toxins from the body through the urine, and it also has antibiotic properties. Give your dog 0.32 mL once or twice daily in capsule form.
• Cranberry extract (Vaccinium macrocarpon) can protect your dog from recurring bladder infections. Give him 25 to 50 mg of cranberry extract up to 5 times per day.
• Chanca piedra is a South American herb that has been used for centuries by people and animals in the area to treat bladder stones and other conditions. Give your dog between 0.64 and 1 mL of purified chanca piedra extract up to 3 times daily, depending on the severity of his condition.
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has bitter properties that are beneficial for eliminating urine toxins from your dog’s system. It is also high in minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium. Give your dog dandelion extract capsules (0.64 to 1 mL) up to 5 times daily for bladder stone prevention or treatment.

 

Conclusion

Bladder stones may be more common in male dogs when compared to female dogs.

If you see that your dog has blood in his urine, straining to urinate and an inflamed penis it might be a good idea for you to take him to the vet as soon as possible.

Bladder stones can cause serious illness, so getting him to help fast will be the best decision you will ever make for him.

Do what is right for your dog and take care of their health so they can enjoy a long and prosperous life with you!