Canine Bladder Stones - How to Help Your Dog

By Jeffrey Grill
Canine bladder stones form when bacteria enters the urinary tract or if your dog is suffering from a problem that restricts the flow of urine.

Bacterial infection causes inflammation of the bladder, a condition called cystitis. When the body’s defense against infection, urine, loses to the colonization of the invader, bacteria, your dog’s body tries to fight infection. Inflammation occurs, causing the openings in the urinary system to constrict. As stones form due to a problem with the urine, they get caught in the smaller openings.

Physical issues include the pressure of the urine stream and if the urethra itself, the tube that leads urine out of the body, is in good condition. Your dog’s body will also develop antibodies, which is the way the body fights infection. The urine itself is made to kill bacteria assuming it has the right PH, a high concentration of urea and the right amount of acid.

If the urinary system is not operating properly then two types of canine bladder stones can form. The two types are canine oxalate bladder stones and canine struvite urolith bladder stones.

Diagnosis of Canine Bladder Stones

Canine Urinary tract infection or UTI can be undiscovered for a long period of time. If your dog frequently gets urinary tract infection it can lead to bigger problems such as more canine bladder stones and possible kidney (renal) failure.

Your veterinarian will diagnose your dog by taking a clinical history and by conducting a physical exam. Urinalysis (testing of the urine) will indicate if canine bladder stones are a problem. It will also help to determine if there are canine oxalate bladder stones or canine struvite bladder stones. If infection is found, it is difficult to determine where in the body the infection is located.

Treatment of Canine Bladder Stones

The treatment for canine urinary tract infection (UTI) is usually 14 days, but possibly up to 30 days. Antibiotics will be prescribed to kill the bacteria. The problem with long term use of antibiotics is possible side effects. Antibiotics are prescribed at a lower dosage just before bedtime for a period of 6 months if the bacteria is resistant to treatment.

Any stones in your dogs system such as canine oxalate bladder stones will either need to be surgically removed or dissolved via a change in diet. You should also consider longer term treatment approaches. For example, homeopathic remedies for canine bladder stones can help your dog’s urinary system regulate itself and maintain the PH needed to fight stones and bacteria. You should also try and increase your dog’s water intake through a switch to canned food (canned dog food has 80% more water) and by making fresh drinking water always available.

Diet can also be a way of fighting the formation of struvite stones and possibly reduce the formation of canine oxalate bladder stone. Special diets have reduced levels of magnesium, an element associated with canine oxalate bladder stones and struvite stones. This will require a prescription diet that needs to be recommended by your veterinarian.

Jeff Grill is an editor of the Dog-Health-Guide.org and has written on many feline health problems. See this site for more information on Canine Oxalate Bladder Stones treatment options.

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