Free information on Urinary Tract Problems in Dogs
All About Canine Urinary Tract Problems
Canine Urolithiasis
Urolithiasis is a disease caused by the presence and effects of uroliths
(stones) or claculi or excessive amounts of crystals in the urinary tract.
The disease is referred to by many names, including cystitis, urethritis,
urinary calculi, bladder stones, or kidney stones.
As in humans, these stones and crystals can form anywhere in the urinary
tract of the dog, including the kidney, urethra, or most commonly, the
bladder. These crystals or stones irritate the lining of the urinary tract,
causing changes in the lining, blood in the urine, and often pain. In some
cases the crystals or stones will block or partially block the flow or urine,
making urination painful or impossible.
Signs of Canine Urolithiasis
A dog with urolithiasis will exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
- Frequent urination (often in unusual places)
- Bloody urine
- Dribbling urine
- Straining
- Weakness
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting and pain
If your pet has any of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian
immediately. In some cases without appropriate diagnosis and treatment, your
dog could face a life threatening situation. Stones can block the urine flow,
prevent elimination of poisonous wastes and cause death. It is important to
know that not every dog with canine urolithiasis exhibits all of these
symptoms.
Definition of Terms
Your veterinarian may use some terms in describing urolithiasis with which
you are not familiar. These terms include cystitis, crystaluria, urolith, and
urethral obstructions.
- Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder. This condition
occurs because of bacterial or possibly viral infection which results for
the irritation caused by crystals and stones in the bladder. Cystitis may
contribute to the formation of additional stones within the bladder.
- Crystaluria denotes the presence of crystals in the urine. Crystals form
when minerals bind together. The bound crystals are not as soluble as the
unbound form and may result in mineral deposits, much like the deposits
commonly found in a teapot or coffee maker.
- When more and more of these crystals join together, they form a urinary
stone or urolith. There are several different types of stones and each
should be treated or prevented differently. It is important for your
veterinarian to know what type of stone your dog has.
- Urethral obstruction occurs when stones or an accumulation of crystals
partially or completely block the tube through which urine is excreted.
This is very painful and is a medical emergency.
Important Factors
There is no single cause of canine urolithiasis. Yet, there are a number of
important factors.
They are:
- Age
- Urolithiasis may appear in your dog when it is less than two months old,
but most stones occur in dogs two to ten years of age.
- Sex
- Urolithiasis appears to occur with equal frequency in adults of both
sexes. However, because the urethra of the male is longer and narrower
than the female's, urethral obstruction is more common in males.
- Breed
- Small breeds, including the Welsh Corgi, Miniature Schnauzer, Pug, Lhasa
Apso, Pekingese and Yorkshire Terrier are more commonly affected than are
large breeds. The Beagle, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Bulldog, Basset Hounds,
Cairn Terrier and Scottish Terrier are also susceptible.
- Confinement and Exercise
- Infrequent urination, as a result of confinement, lack of regular
exercise, or low water intake, contribute to the formation of crystals and
uroliths.
- Diet
- High levels of some minerals in the diet, such as magnesium, phosphorus,
and sometimes calcium, have been directly linked to canine urinary bladder
stone formation. A diet with excess protein can contribute to stone
formation.
In most cases, stones are made up of only one type of crystal, but on
occasion, different crystals may be mixed within the same stone. Each type of
stone is affected by different nutrients and characteristics of the diet.
Therefore, it is important to know what type of stone your dog has.
Diagnosis of Canine Urolithiasis
If your veterinarian suspects your dog may have uroliths, he or she may
perform some or all of these diagnostic tests:
- Abdominal palpation, to feel stones present in the urinary bladder
- Urinalysis, to determine the types of crystals present
- Urine culture, with antibiotic sensitivity, to determine if bacteria are
present in the urinary tract and the appropriate antibiotic with which to
treat these bacteria
- Radiographic examination (possibly with contrast media), to see if
stones are present and their location in the urinary tract.
To evaluate how well your pet is responding to therapy, your veterinarian
may periodically repeat some of these tests. Therefore, you will need to bring
your pet in for rechecks as directed by your veterinarian.
Treatment/Management
If the urinary tract is blocked, your veterinarian will have to correct the
blockage and empty the dog's urinary bladder. Then, your dog will be further
examined to determine the stone type and appropriate therapy. Your pet may
need to stay at the hospital during this process.
In the past, urinary bladder stones have been surgically removed and for
some stones, surgery may be the only effective treatment. But for most stones,
there is an alternative. In most cases, the stones may be dissolved by feeding
a special diet with reduced amounts certain minerals and protein, or a special
diet plus medication. If an infection is present, antibiotics are also
necessary.
Special diets work by reducing the mineral building blocks or urinary
stones in the urine. These diets affect the urine pH and increase urination to
help flush the urinary tract.
To completely dissolve the stones takes 4-16 weeks, depending on the size
and number of stones present. During this time it is very important that your
dog consume nothing besides the prescribed medications and the prescribed
diet. Otherwise, the diet will not work properly and your pet will be plagued
with this condition longer than necessary.
Follow your veterinarian's directions when feeding the prescribed food,
whether for treatment or prevention. Although these foods may not look like
your typical dog food, most dogs readily eat these diets and find them
palatable. If your dog is one of the few that doesn't readily accept a new
diet after two days, you may want to try the following:
Warm the canned diet to, but not above, body temperature Hand feed the new
diet for the first few days Mix the dry diet with a little warm water and wait
10 minutes before serving
Over a 7-10 day period, mix the diet with your pet's former food, gradually
increasing the proportions until only the new diet is being fed Feed only the
prescribed diet!
Do not feed meat, liver or other animal tissue, vitamin/mineral
supplements, calcium supplements, breakfast cereals or vegetables.
Be patient, but firm with your dog. This is important. The success or
failure of treatment depends to a large degree on strict adherence to the new
diet.
If a bacterial infection is present you may need to keep your dog on
antibiotics during this entire period.
Home Management
Once at home, your pet needs special attention and care. It is important
that you provide free access to fresh, clean water at all times. Follow your
veterinarian's instructions for card and activity if your dog's stones were
removed surgically. This will include monitoring the incision and returning to
your veterinarian for rechecks.
Follow instructions carefully if your dog has a prescribed medication.
Antibiotics should be given for the entire period for which they are
prescribed.
During and immediately following the dissolution process, your veterinarian
may ask you to monitor your dog's urine pH at home or to bring a urine sample
for follow-up urinalysis.
Call your veterinarian if any questions or problems arise. Watch your pet
for bloody urine, straining, urinating in unusual places, excessive licking of
the vaginal or penile areas, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, or
depression. If any of these signs occur, please contact your veterinarian.
Diet and Prevention
Of all dogs treated for urolithiasis, 20 to 50 percent will have a
recurrence of the problem and accompanying pain if preventive measures are not
taken. Fortunately, just as there is a dietary alternative to surgery, certain
diets can also be used to aid in the prevention of stone formation. Based on
the type of stone your pet had, your veterinarian can prescribe the correct
diet to aid the prevention.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
Copyright © 1995-98 Branford Miniature Schnauzers
Our Friend Tippy
Did you know that Tippy Once Had Bladder Stones?
Not once....But Twice!
Did you also know that she has now been totally free of them
for over 4 years since we found out what caused them and
then How We Prevent them from reoccurring.
Read Tippy's Story
Online Here
Find Out Exactly Why Bladder Stones and
Crystals Form in Dogs & Cats
See Also:
All Canine Care & Doggie Fun Stuff
Search Our Site for Dog & Pet Information
How to Keep Your Dog & Cat Healthy
