Dog Bladder Stones (Canine Urolithiasis)

Dog bladder stones are formed usually as a result of poor diet or metabolic dysfunction. When dogs have bladder stones, they show urinary problems. This page looks at the causes, symptoms, and conventional treatment of canine bladder stones. Natural remedies such as herbs and supplements can be used to prevent and eliminate stones from dogs.

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Bladder stones are urinary mineral deposits that gather in the urinary tract and crystalize over time. The crystals then build upon each other to create "stones". They cause urinary tract irritation and pain during urination.

Eighty-five percent of the stones are formed in a dog's bladder, but they can also be found in the entire urinary tract - in the kidneys (though rather rare), the ureters (tiny tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), or urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the animal). When a stone that has passed into the urethra is large enough, it can cause blockage of the urethra. When this happens, the dog cannot urinate which is a serious condition, as toxins and waste cannot be eliminated in the urine from the dog's body. This requires emergency operation to remove the stones from the urethra.

Symptoms of Dog Bladder Stones

There are various typical symptoms that a dog shows if he has bladder stones:

Frequent urination with small quantities
Urinating in inappropriate places
Bloody urine
Discomfort and straining while urinating
"Dribbling urine" (may indicate a partial blockage of the urethra)

As mentioned above, if there is a a complete blockage of the urethra, the dog cannot urinate at all.

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Types of Bladder Stones

There are several different types of bladder stones, but the common forms are:

Struvite Bladder Stones

These stones are composed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate and form in urine that has a neutral or alkaline pH level. They occur more commonly in female dogs.

Calcium Oxalate Bladder Stones

These stones are found in certain breeds of dogs as a result of a hereditary condition. Specifically, these dogs lack nephrocalcin, a calcium-binding glycoprotein, which inhibits the development of calcium oxalate crystals in the urinary tract.

Uric Acid Bladder Stones

These stones are formed almost exclusively in Dalmatians because of the inability of their livers to absorb uric acid.

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Causes of Dog Bladder Stones

There are numerous possible causes of canine bladder stones; some common ones are:

Diet: Diets that are high in protein and certain minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, may increase the chances of the formation dog bladder stones.
Age: Older dogs are more prone to develop bladder stones.
Genetics: For reasons unknown, some breeds are more susceptible to bladder stone formation than others. Small dogs, such as the Pug, Pekingese, Yorkshire terrier, Beagle, Dachshund, Welsh Corgi, Miniature Schnauzer, Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel, are among those unlucky ones. And - as mentioned above, Dalmatians tend to have uric acid bladder stones.
Exposure to Cadmium: Studies have found that cadium expoure increases the risk of formation of bladder stones in dogs. For domestic pets such as dogs and cats, cigarette smoke is the most common source of cadmium exposure.
Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections of the bladder can also lead to the formation of struvite bladder stones.
Lack of Exercise: Dogs that are couch potatoes and do not get to go out to eliminate wastes several times a day are also prone to develop bladder stones.

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Treatment for Dog Bladder Stones

Depending on the type, size, number, and location of the stones, treatment may be different. For example, if the stones are in the urethra or the ureters, surgery is necessary since urinary obstructions can lead to kidney shut down and death.

However, if the stones are in the bladder and they are struvite stones, there are other choices. For example, the stones can be eliminated by feeding your dog a special diet (low in calcium, magnesium and protein) together with dissolving agents in it. These agents will eliminate the stones by dissolving them and causing them to pass through your dog's system.

For dogs with uric acid stones, a diet that is low in purines may be recommended. Purines are found primarily in animal proteins and are metabolized into uric acid in the body. Purine-rich foods include organ meats (e.g. liver, kidneys), seafood, and legumes.

Calcium oxate stones cannot be dissolved and the only way to remove them is by surgery, after which supplements may be needed to prevent recurrence.

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Natural Remedies for Canine Bladder Stones

If your dog has bladder stones, it is essential to have a proper diagnosis to determine, among other things, the type and the location of the stones. If the stones are not creating any blockage and are of the type that can be dissolved, you may want to try using natural remedies such as herbs and dietary supplements to eliminate the stones. For more information, please visit our page on Natural Remedies for Dog Bladder Stones.

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