Canine Mast Cell Tumors: What You Need to Know

Guest post written by Joanne Palmieri

Mast cell tumors (MCT) also known as mastocytomas are often called the great imposters or pretenders because of their ability to look like many benign lesions such as a lipoma.

An important part of being your pet’s best advocate is learning all you can about their cancer type and making sure that the information you receive from your vet is complete.

I decided to educate other pet parents about MCT when my friend’s Labrador was diagnosed with a grade 2 MCT and was told by the vet “we got it all and don’t worry”. After reading the pathology report, there is an important unanswered question which my friend did not know to ask. You’ll see why when I talk about grading of MCT.

What exactly is a mast cell? Mast cells originate from the bone marrow and are normally found throughout connective tissue of the body as normal components of the immune system. As they release histamine, they are associated with allergic reactions. To put it simply, normal mast cells play an important role in mediating inflammatory responses.

Statistics vary, but roughly 25% of skin tumors in dogs are MCT.

Brachycephalic breeds such as Boxers, Bulldogs and Boston Terriers have a higher incidence of MCT but any breed can develop them. In Bernese Mountain Dogs MCT are inherited as a polygenic trait.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION
Tremendous variation exists in the appearance of MCT. They may be soft and fluctuant, firm, haired or hairless, small or large, solitary or multiple, dermal or subcutaneous. This is why any mass should be evaluated via cytology because MCT can mimic lipomas and other noncancerous lesions.

Aside from finding a mass, there are other profound signs which should raise suspicion of a MCT i.e., swelling that may wax and wane particularly after manipulation of the mass, itching, redness, ulceration or bruising.

MCT may also cause your dog to have a GI tract ulcer. Remember MCT secrete histamine. When humans have a GI tract ulcer they may take Pepcid or Tagamet which are H2 blockers. The H in H2 stands for histamine blocker. Your pup is no different! So keep an eye out for abdominal discomfort, blood in the stools or stools darker than normal i.e. almost black which may indicate a stomach or duodenal ulcer. If you notice these signs, talk with your vet right away to determine the best way to address the issue.

DETERMINING TREATMENT & PROGNOSIS
Once your vet has done cytology of the mass usually with a fine needle biopsy or aspirate and determined that this is indeed a MCT, what’s the next step?

Complete surgical removal of the MCT with wide excision is the treatment of choice. What is meant by wide excision? There is a tendency for MCT cells to spread out around the actual mass into what you think is normal skin; therefore a border of 2-3 cm of skin surrounding the tumor is also removed in an effort to get “clean” margins. (To give you an idea of how much 2-3 cm is, one inch equals 2.5cm.)

Once the tumor is removed, it is usually sent to a veterinary pathologist for a diagnosis which would include the grade of the tumor. Please note that any specimen sent to a pathologist that has a malignant or cancer diagnosis should have a grade listed.

What does the grade tell you?  The tumor grade found on a pathology report is based upon whether or not the cells are well or poorly differentiated, their mitotic activity (how quickly the cells divide), and the depth of tissue invasion of the tumor. Simply stated, it provides information about the prognosis by telling us how aggressive the tumor is.

I have read many veterinary pathology reports that did not list a grade. In fact, it happened to me. When my precious yellow lab Brandon was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, the pathology report did not list the grade. I had the vet contact the pathologist to reread the slides and amend the pathology report to include a grade. Why is this so important? I’m sure you have read about dogs surviving hemagiosarcoma for a year or more with the latest survivor being Addie at 3 years who is using non-traditional treatment. Are these dogs surviving longer because the treatment was truly a success or was it that they had a low grade hemangiosarcoma which responded better to therapy and contributed to the longer survival time. We’ll never know because to date, I’ve asked close to 50 pet parents whose dogs had hemangiosarcoma what the grade was and not one could tell me because the pathology report never listed it! Even the pet parents of 3 year hemangiosarcoma survivor Addie couldn’t tell me.

If we are going to make strides in the treatment of canine cancer, we need to know everything about the devil that we are dealing with! We need to compare apples with apples.

MCT are graded most commonly using the Patnaik scale of grades l through 3 with grade 1 having the best prognosis and grade 3 the poorest.

• GRADE 1: Well differentiated tumor that is confined to the dermis.


• GRADE 2: Tumor extends into the lower dermis and sub Q. Cells are not as well differentiated.


• GRADE 3: Tumor replaces Sub Q and deep tissue. Cells are poorly differentiated.

I would like to bring your attention to the grade 2 MCT. There is some disagreement on treatment plans with a grade 2. If the pathology report does not state it, your vet needs to ask the pathologist in the case of a grade 2 MCT to determine if this MCT is a low grade 2 or a high grade 2.

Statistically speaking, and per an article in the Journal of Veterinary Pathology, if this tumor is a low grade 2 it will more than likely behave like a grade 1 which is good news. If this MCT is a high grade 2, it will most likely behave as a grade 3 therefore requiring more aggressive treatment.

Staging is another aspect of determining the prognosis of any malignancy. Staging indicates the extent of spread and is important to know in order to make an educated decision regarding your treatment plan. In the case of MCT the World Health Organization has assigned Stages 0-lV with 0 having the best prognosis and lV the worst.

Please note that the actual treatment protocols for each grade and stage are not discussed in this article because, once armed with the information from a comprehensive pathology report, one can search the internet and find the most current treatments available.

The main objective of this article is to educate you regarding MCT and the important aspects of the pathology report so that you can make sure this info is provided to you by your vet and you can make an intelligent and informed decision regarding treatment.

Grading and staging systems may vary from cancer to cancer but remember that every cancer has a grade and stage and it is important to know this information as well as asking if the margins were clean i.e., free of tumor, for prognosis and treatment planning purposes.

As a final note, pet parents should be sure to keep a medical record of their canine child to include:

1. Vaccine record


2. Blood tests


3. Pathology reports

Having access to this information about your pet can be invaluable and will allow you to be a better partner in your pet’s care. Start being an advocate for your pet TODAY by educating yourself about your pet’s cancer and being willing to push for additional information when you feel that something has been left out. It will help you to make better decisions along the way, and in the end, could help to save their life.

Another article you may find helpful is from Dr. Lena McCullough, DVM from A Path with Paws. “Mast Cell Tumors of the Skin: Holistic Approaches for Prevention”

About these ads

Canine Bladder Stones

These smooth whitish rocks were removed from the bladder of a very nice Rottweiler today.  Bladder urolithiasis (aka bladder stones) is a common condition seen in many practices.  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.

The most common question a pet owner asks me is how do they get there and what can be done to prevent them. There is no single cause of canine urolithiasis. Yet, there are a number of important factors. 

• 
  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 also contribute to stone formation.

Normal dog urine is slightly acidic and contains wastes from metabolism, including mineral salts and other compounds.  If the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated or if it becomes too alkaline, mineral crystals can precipitate and the beginnings of a stone is born.  Next comes a bladder infection, caused by bacteria, that produce an enzyme known as urease.  This enzyme breaks down urea present in the bladder and causes an excess production of ammonia, which in turn causes the urine to become more alkaline.  Ammonia in the urine also causes bladder inflammation.  Inflammation, bacteria and crystals continue to build on each other until a small grain of sand becomes a boulder.  

How does your veterinarian diagnose bladder stones?  They 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; and radiographic examination (possibly with contrast media), to see if stones are present and their location in the urinary tract and ultrasound. 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.

How are bladder stones treated?   If the urinary tract is blocked, your veterinarian will have to correct the blockage and empty the dogs 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 some stones, there is an alternative. In some cases, stones may be dissolved by feeding a special diet with reduced amounts of 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.

A pound of prevention is worth a ton of cure.  Of dogs treated for urolithiasis, 20 to 50 percent will have a recurrence of the problem and accompanying pain if preventive measures are not taken.  First of all I recommend that you feed a good quality balance dog food (Old Roy, does not qualify).  While top of the line dog foods may cost slightly more than ‘generic’ dog foods, in the long run your pet will be better for it.  Be sure your pet is has lots of fresh water, change the bowl daily.  Take your dog out frequently for ‘potty’ breaks, having to hold their urine for hours on end leads to more concentrated urine.  Provide your dogs with lots of good exercise, a trim and fit dog is healthier.  Limit or avoid human foods.  Dog foods are especially balanced for your pets needs.  The addition of human food not only adds unnecessary added calories, but can also alter your pet’s urine pH, predisposing it to crystal formation.  If you have a pet that is over 5-6 years of age, consider allowing your veterinarian to perform a urine analysis annually as part of your pet’s annual wellness visit.  This test may give your veterinarian a clue of impending problems.  Lastly, go outside with your dog when they go for a ‘potty’ break.  If you are not there, you will not be able to observe if your dog is having problems, such as blood in urine or difficulty in urinating.  You will want to be especially observant if you have one of the breeds of dogs that have a genetic tendency to stone formation.  

Parting advise, talk with your veterinarian about any concerns you have about your pet and it’s health.  Veterinarians love to educate their clients and help you to make good sound decisions about your pet’s health care.

Canine Bladder Wars and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Infections

The good news? A total of 7 weeks of antibiotics (2 different kinds) wiped out Lilly’s e coli bladder infection. The bad news? Now she has an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection called staph pseudointermedius. People get MRSA infections. Dogs sometimes get MRSP infections, like this one. All of this stems from her treatment for rabies vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis (and the resulting incontinence). The drug chosen for this next canine bladder war is a doozy.

Canine Bladder Wars Backstory

For those catching up, Lilly first got sick with brain and spinal cord inflammation after receiving a routine rabies vaccine in January 2012. We’ve been in a life / death battle ever since.

Her treatment includes, among other drugs and supplements, 3 different immune squashing medications:

• Steroids (dexamethasone)


• An immune mediator drug, given to people after organ transplants, (cyclosporine)


• Cytarabine, a chemo drug used to combat the specific kind of white cells they found in Lilly’s spinal cord fluid

Some 50% of dogs on long-term steroids will get bladder infections. Cytarabine is also pretty doggone hard on the bladder.

Lilly become totally incontinent (both ways) in June 2012, and it has been unrelenting since then … though, the recent addition of veterinary acupuncture has helped some.

In January 2013, Lilly suffered her first seizure in a year and began peeing blood. That’s when we found the e coli bladder infection was causing emphysematous cystitis (air in the bladder and bladder wall from the off-gassing bacteria).

We fought and won that battle, even though the infection was probably in there since at least September 2012.

But, then a few days after getting the news that Lilly’s latest bladder ultrasound showed all clear, we got the urine culture news telling she now battles staph pseudointermedius.

Canine Bladder Wars Theory

The best guess is that this is NOT a “new” infection. Our veterinary team hypothesizes that this bacterial infection has been going on for a while, but oddly enough, they think the e coli won the battle for resources inside Lilly’s bladder and kept the staph pseudointermedius at bay.

Now that the e coli infection is gone? The staph pseudointermedius is going wild.

On a Scale of 1 to Scary

On the How-Much-to-Worry Scale, we’re at a 7. This is a bad, bad antibiotic-resistant infection. On the plus side, according to our veterinary neurologist who joked last night about being “pathologically optimistic”:

• At least there is a drug we can use


• At least this drug isn’t prohibitively expensive (about $ 75 for 3 weeks’ worth)


• Maybe Lilly’s incontinence and overall status will improve once we beat this staph pseudointermedius

The Dog Gods Must Be Crazy

Now, the CRAZY-@$ $ news. The chosen antibiotic (chloramphenicol) is great for dogs — NOT so great for people. Chloramphenicol can cause irreversible bone marrow damage in some people (even if they merely touch the drug).

It’s a slim chance (1 in 10,000), but considering how Lilly’s Medical Miracle Tour started with an adverse vaccine reaction probably rarer than that, I’m being BEYOND careful. This crap CAN happen, and unfortunately … it seems to happen to ME.

Alas, I have to treat our sweet canine heroine like she is a HAZMAT hazard. I’m supposed to wear medical gloves anytime I:

• Give Lilly her chloramphenicol (twice a day for 3 weeks, to start)


• Change her diapers


• Help her potty


• Clean her up


• Do her laundry

There isn’t much of a zoonosis risk (catching her infection), but between the bacteria she sheds via elimination and the concentrated chloramphenicol potentially in her mouth and eliminations, we’re being VERY careful.

Let’s just hope she doesn’t suffer the common chloramphenicol side-effects of vomiting and diarrhea since those, too, would require containment / safety protocols.

Why this particular drug? Chloramphenicol hasn’t been used much in the last 20 years, so bacteria hasn’t had the chance to become resistant to it. We’re lucky that our neurologist had some in stock — apparently, it’s hard to find.

For some reason, though, he has seen 3 cases needing chloramphenicol recently. All of them border collies. Wild!

Canine Bladder Wars Re-checks

We’ll do another urine culture at 10 days and again at a week after she finishes taking 3 weeks of chloramphenicol.

Other Adverse Vaccine Reaction Treatment News

You may recall that I ditched her cytarabine treatments for 7 weeks while Lilly battled the e coli infection. That withdrawal of treatment brought us near the brink, where Lilly easily could have suffered a major brain and spinal cord inflammation relapse — and, we probably would have ended the fight there.

We will postpone her next set of cytarabine injections by 1 week as we test to see if a 4-week cycle works OK. If so, then she’ll get 4 cytarabine injections over 2 days, every 4 weeks — instead of every 3 weeks. Our veterinary neurologist feels that Lilly is stable enough to give a longer treatment timeline a try.

 How Does Lilly Feel?

• Lilly is tanking up on water more than she had been.


• She is a little subdued and tired.


• After nearly a week, where Lilly nearly peed on her own at least once a day … that has stopped.


• We’re seeing more standing potty accidents, which had stopped when we began treating the first bladder infection.


• Today (Tuesday 4/2) she is in pain — crying when I try to help her pee. So, I’m just letting what happens happen, rather than risk hurting her.

And, Me?

I’m worried and discouraged, but hopeful. I knew we’d face more immune-suppression troubles. I just hoped we would get a little springtime reprieve first.

I had a good talk last night with our veterinary neurologist. Even though he’d just gotten back from vacation, even though he’d just worked probably 14 hours, even though he has a terrible cold, he called to give me context on both Lilly’s antibiotic-resistant staph staph pseudointermedius infection and the relative danger to me of using chloramphenicol.

He talked me down off the ledge, as it were.

It’s snowing hard on the mountain (again) tonight, so I’ll end with a photo of yesterday’s sunrise.

Tomorrow is Lilly’s survival day # 435. She is a bundle of love in a tough, miraculous package.

Thanks, as always, for your interest and concern.

Canine Bladder Stones

“Pages (Pet Health)” Update 2/24/2012: “Paw Card” Pet Tracker iPhone App Information, Pet MD iPhone Apps; Update 2/23/2012: Rabies Clinic Schedule, Bladder Stone Information

Having my first experience with these “stones;” I never realized just how common they are.  I’ve had “children” with tumors, cancers, trauma from cars and death from old age.  I even lost one years ago, to Parvovirus.  The idea of bladder stones, had never crossed my mind; and I really can’t think of anyone that has experienced this “new experience.”

My “son” started off with signs of difficult urination (no signs of pain).  I took him to see a veterinarian; and through urinalysis, determined he had a Urinary Track Infection (UTI).  The veterinarian prescribed antibiotics for 10 days.  After the antibiotic routine there was no improvement!  The veterinarian had X-rays taken, which revealed my “son” had bladder stones, a few which were blocking his urethra, so he could not urinate, except for what could “leak” past the stones.

Of course surgery became necessary!  Necessary for ME that is.  Not being aware of the effect of bladder stones, I did not know they can cause life-threatening problems in canines (and people).  So again for me, surgery was not an option, but a necessity to save “my son’s” life.

The X-ray also revealed that the bladder was a lot bigger than it should be, which in turn was putting pressure on the intestines; adding difficulty in defecation too.  Keep in mind, that this “child” has not been able to properly relieve his bladder for two weeks.  The veterinarian after the X-ray, had me take “my child” and X-rays to another animal hospital for immediate catherization, and scheduling for surgery.

False Hope!  After arriving at the other animal hospital (and leaving him), they called with good news (NOT).  During the catherization process, they initially thought the stones had passed and surgery might not be necessary.  No such luck!  What was discovered, was the stones had not passed; but had been “pushed back” into the bladder.  Which really, is what they try to do before surgery anyway.

A new X-ray was taken, and based upon it, surgery was performed.  The prognosis was promising; however I was in the operating room, when he came out of the anesthesia.  I won’t do that again!  He let out the most blood curdling yelps, whelps, and hollers I had ever heard from any animal.  I actually felt my heart skip a beat, (or two or three).  The veterinarian assured me, the “outburst,” was due to disorientation from the anesthesia rather than pain.  I think he realized I wasn’t convinced!

Again as luck would have it, I was allowed to bring “my son” home.  But the X-ray machine wasn’t working, and they could not confirm they had retrieved all the stones.  His urinary flow was good, spirits good, so we brought him home.

Around 9:45 p.m., while observing his “relief” he acted strange and walked to the far end of the yard (as far away as he could get).  I saw him tuck his head towards his groin, and immediately knew something was wrong.  As I picked him up, I realized he was covered in blood from face to tail.  His suture had broken, exposing his insides.
We called the veterinarian’s emergency number, wrapped up the “gaping hole,” and took off for the hospital again.

If any police are reading this, I will deny we made it from the house to the hospital in Perry in 36 minutes!  Upon quick examination by the veterinarian, he said he would have to keep him, clean out things, and close him up, which of course required more anesthesia.  After the “repair,” the veterinarian called, said he was doing well; but he wanted to keep him for observation for a day or two.  Instead of a “single line suture” he placed individual sutures, and staples.

The veterinarian called this morning, and said “my son” started out fine; however while relieving himself his urine flow “just stopped.”  Another X-ray revealed several stones were blocking his urethra, and the whole surgical procedure  would have to be performed again.  This makes me angry!  Not the treatment, but the trauma.  We treat all our pets like royalty; yet we see so many pets that are neglected and abused by people that (in my opinion) don’t deserve pets, yet it’s “our baby” going through all this again.  Please, do NOT read into that; because I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone!

The veterinarian said “it was their fault;” because of the X-ray machine.  To be honest, I am not interested in assigning blame for this.  I am more interested in (for those that believe) canine karma, and what this little dog did in a past-life to deserve it.

This issue has really taken a bite in me.  For those interested, I will create a “page” about this issue and others.  Right now, I’m tired.  So please come back and review this post for updates.  As I update links and information for the “Pages” section (located on the right under the Quick Links), I will update this post to let you know new information has been posted.

I also need to point out, I have the utmost respect for veterinarians; especially ours.  I know they are “experts” in their field; but also realize they can only diagnose what they see in the animals behavior, and what we as parents observe, and tell them.  If your pets are doing, or acting differently no matter how trivial it seems, let your veterinarian know.  It could save your pet’s life!

If you would like to share pet health information on this blog, let me know.

Canine Oxalate Bladder Crystals/Stones

I have learned so much over the past 17 plus years as a pet parent, and I have discovered so much more in the world of canine nutrition since I embarked on self-study almost five years ago, which led to more ‘formal’ study to obtain certification as a canine nutritionist, which is very close to happening for me. I know that may sound crazy to some, as commercial food diets have become so mainstream for our furry companions, we typically don’t consider a dog’s diet to be overly important, but it is. A healthy, nurturing environment is just as necessary for a dog as it is for a person. The typical hectic, on-the-go lifestyle of most individuals these days is very stressful, and I believe this is evident in especially the food choices we make as humans. The faster and more convenient, the better.

It is a sad fact that our companion pets can suffer from the same maladies we do…such as cancer, obesity and diabetes and a plethora of other numerous diseases and concerns. One I want to discuss today is oxalate bladder crystals. My friend, Martha inquired about what I knew about calcium oxalate stones. I have blogged about stones in general back in May of 2012, but since there are six types of stones (three that affect the bladder; struvite, urate which are uncommon and oxalate), I wanted to be more in depth regarding this type. It is very important that you know what kind of stone you are dealing with, as treatment can be different, and many times opposite. Along with my canine lesson I just finished (through my E-training For Dogs), I have spent several hours today researching further information, six to be exact. This is also a learning process for me that builds on my canine lessons, and helps me to help dog owners obtain understandable insight and bring it in useable form.

There are high risk breeds such as the Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Shih tzu’s and Bichon Frise’s, however any breed of dog can develop stones. 73% of oxalate bladder crystals occur in male patients, usually in an age range from 5-12 years. First an x-ray or ultrasound would be needed so it can be determined where the stones have developed, how many there are, and how big they are. Oxalate stones need an acidic pH environment to form. A diet of foods that encourage more alkaline urine is necessary; however, existing oxalate stones cannot be dissolved by diet change, surgical removal is necessary. Statistics show that 50% of dogs with surgery to remove these stones will develop new ones within 3 years. That seems rather grim, but take heart…it is at this point you need to be very vigilant about proper nutrition. It will require life-long prevention to maintain a balanced pH so they do not re-form. Left unchecked these stones can be life-threatening, especially in males because of their anatomy.

So, how might you know if your dog has developed these crystals or stones? Well, sometimes there are no symptoms, but usually straining to urinate (and nothing coming out), blood in the urine (which can be difficult to detect when your dog relieves itself on the grass), and recurrent bladder infections.

Okay, so now you’re probably thinking I’ve got a ‘special needs’ dog now that I’ve discovered this. Well, to a point, as I feel most dogs do have special needs just naturally. It will require some cooking on your part to help ensure proper maintenance. It’s really no more than how you would change or restrict your own diet if you were diabetic. But let’s not panic…it’s not the end of the world…it doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s why I’m blogging about this…to guide you in what you need to do. This will be somewhat lengthy, but hang in there with me; diet can be used to manage this problem, once the problem has been removed.

So, we need to focus on developing more alkaline urine. Here are some vegetables you can add to your dog’s diet: broccoli, celery, garlic, barley grass, carrots, lima beans, zucchini, cauliflower and potatoes. I always encourage organic, especially when it comes to thin-skinned or no-skinned veggies and fruits. These can be fed raw, but lightly steamed is encouraged…and I make a habit of sprinkling organic dried parsley on a lot of the food I prepare for my dogs. Fruits can also be in the offering: kiwi, apples, pears, peaches, papaya, watermelon (remove the seeds of course!), pineapple and oranges. You do want to watch meats, as most are acid producing. You can include liver, organ meats and fish (not shell fish) and eggs for protein sources. Moderate amounts of chicken, turkey and lamb are permissible. But no red meats (i.e., beef, buffalo or venison) You can also include lentils and brown rice in the diet. For alkaline dairy consider raw milk (usually referred to as ‘pet milk’, check with a local dairy farmer about acquiring this), and yogurt (the plain, organic variety).

This really isn’t rocket science, so we need not to make it complicated. You will want to decrease the magnesium in foods, and those that are higher in this mineral include whole grains (which dogs don’t require anyway), nuts (which most people do not include in their dog’s diet, and only certain ones are recommended), meats, green beans, spinach, squash and sweet potatoes.

I also did some research on dry dog food, and I found an excellent source that will ease some of the food prep. Life’s Abundance Premium dog food is formulated to provide a urine pH of 6.6, which falls within the necessary formulation level of 6.4 to 6.6. It is available through their website

www.lifesabundance.com. You know if you have read many of my blogs how snobbish I can be when it comes to kibble, so when I do give one a ‘thumbs up’, it passes my strict standards! If you are curious about price, a 20 pound bag is about $ 37. That is reasonable to me for a quality dry dog food. What about treats you ask? I researched those too! These should be grain-free and I found a great product. Nature’s Variety (www.naturesvariety.com) carries ‘Instinct Grain-Free Biscuit Treats’. The website has a ‘find a store’ locator so you can purchase them most likely not far from your home. Fruits and veggies mentioned above can also be used for treats.

Here is a great recipe that comes from my E-training For Dogs from this lesson and is formulated for oxalate bladder crystals:

2 eggs (scrambled, over easy or hard boiled) or ½ cup meat from approved meats listed above
1 cup cooked brown rice or lentils
½ tsp. garlic powder
6 Tablespoons chicken broth (preferably low-sodium and organic)
1 cup cooked vegetables (from above list)

Feeding amounts should be proportionate to your dog’s size. (i.e., under 5 pounds, ¼ cup, 5-10 pounds, ½ cup, etc.)

I hope this article has proved useful to any pet parent dealing with these types of stones in their dog. Most of us consider our pets to be family, so going the extra mile to give them quality of life by providing a proper diet, especially when one is suffering from a condition such as this doesn’t seem to be, in my opinion, out of the ordinary.
　
　

Bladder Stones In Dogs - Canine Urolithiasis

Bladder Stones in Dogs

Our four-legged pets require all the care they can get from their masters. This is because they are very prone to some diseases that can be otherwise ignored by their owners. Bladder stones are one of the main diseases that dogs suffer in their lifetime. Bladder infections should be addressed right on their onset. This is to prevent future damages to the other vital organs like the kidneys.

Almost all breeds of dog are susceptible to forming bladder stones. These stones are produced if some excess minerals and other waste products solidify or crystallize in the dog’s bladder area. Symptoms may vary from one dog to another. But one fact remains your dog would definitely suffer a good amount of pain because of it.

Bladder stones are also referred to as uroliths. And they usually occur on dogs aged four to six years, although older dogs may possibly acquire it still. Bladder stones are caused by a lot of factors. It may be due to some chronic infections and metabolic problems. Bladder stones in dogs may be anywhere from mild to serious, manageable to painful.

Female dogs are more prone to bladder stones than male dogs. And smaller dogs acquire it more often than the larger breeds. More often than not, bladder stones only become a problem once it blocks the flow of urine in the urethra. At such point, your dog won’t be able to urinate properly. If not attended to right away, your dog might even die out of the complications of the disease especially if the crystallized stone is too big for its body to bear.

Bladder stones may recur at anytime. This fact indicates that you need to provide lifetime care to your pet if and when it was diagnosed with bladder stones. This also means that your pet has to retain its prescription diet, even if the vet has declared that the stone was already dissolved.

Bladder stones are rarely life threatening. In fact, it can be treated with the right diet and the necessary hygienic practices. But even so, it is not advisable that you follow self-medication techniques for your dogs. A veterinarian would definitely help your pet a lot when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The occurrence of bladder stones greatly differs from one dog to another. A friend’s medications for bladder stones on her dog might not necessarily work for your pet. Regular checkup is still your best defense against this rather common disease that affects man’s loyal and trusted best friend.

Read More

Canine Bladder Stones - What You Need To Know

Like humans, it is not exactly unheard of for dogs suffering from bladder stones also known as kidney stones or urolithiasis dogs. This particular condition is going on in the event of excessive amounts of crystals (stones) that has accumulated in the dogs urinary tract. May cause irritation of the urinary tract, and this process will be painful urination of the animal. In most cases, crystals and stones are typically arise in a dog’s bladder, but I know that it may also be in the urethra or kidneys. In any case, the state of bladder stones in animals is important, should not be underestimated, as it may really miserable life for your pet. In order to effectively treat canine bladder stones, it is important to understand about this condition.

What are the symptoms?

It is best to know that your dog inside and outside. From their behavior, appetite and temperament, should be able to tell if something is wrong with your dog. Symptoms of bladder calculi, remember the dog urinating on a much more frequent than normal. If you see that your dog urine is dribbling , it may mean that the urethra is blocked. If you see blood in the urine, your pet, you should immediately take your dog to the vet. Other symptoms include depression, vomiting and weakness.

What treatments are available?

If in some way condition worsened, then the veterinarian can perform surgery to remove what is blocking the urethra and empty your bladder. Catheterization is no other treatment options that you can insert a long pipe to the dogs urinary tract, down to the bladder, which clear stones and urine, causing blockage. Catheterization is performed only in emergency situations. In the case of infection may require administration of anti-politics. For less invasive treatments, you can go to the dogs with a special diet, which contains measures that are capable of dissolving the stones by chemical reactions.

One of the keys to the prevention of bladder stones in dogs through their diet. Avoid feeding food for pets, which have an increased amount of protein and minerals. On the other hand, the dogs should be fed with food that are rich in fiber and carbohydrates. Regardless of his diet, also to exercise your dog regularly. Dogs that do not occur in the movement are more susceptible to the accumulation of stones in the bladder. Daily exercises are not only prevent bladder stones, but the overall health of your pet as well. Also in August in search of food for dogs, which are marked in order to prevent kidney and bladder stones.

Always remember that if you see something wrong with my dog, and he with symptoms of bladder calculi, it is best if you Consult with your veterinarian immediately.

Struvite Crystals, FLUTD, Canine Struvite Urolithiasis, Bladder Stones – understanding the causes…

Struvite crystals, bladder stones and urinary disease syndromes are examples of nutritionally influenced disease conditions. As is the case with many domestic animal diseases, it is important to note that canines and felines in the wild that consume a natural raw diet do not experience struvite crystals and urolithiasis to any degree. Domestic animals on the other hand, which are fed a diet of highly processed denatured, starch-based, synthetic products, succumb to struvite crystals, bladder stones, and urolithiasis in large numbers.

There are two primary causes for this disparity in disease incidence: Domestic animals are fed an exclusive diet of nutrient depleted, highly processed pet foods. This is in stark contrast to the natural, meat based, raw diet replete with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and probiotics consumed by wild canines and felines. This plus overfeeding creates an unhealthy physiological environment in which disease can take root.

Conventional pet foods are unnatural in that they are denatured by heat, imbalanced in minerals, and laden with starches and carbohydrates (in far greater quantities than would ever be consumed in the wild). This yields a more alkaline urine, which causes the precipitation and the development of struvite crystals, bladder stones and urolithiasis disease.

The frequency with which companion animals fall victim to urinary disease syndromes is astounding. Prevention and treatment can be achieved while simultaneously creating optimal health for your pet by mimicking the natural/archetypal diet. This fosters an acidic body environment, which will aid in both the treatment and prevention of struvite crystals, bladder stones, FLUTD, and canine urolithiasis.

In spite of common opinion, the magnesium content of natural foods is not an etiological factor in FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) and canine urolithiasis unless it is added in the form of excess magnesium oxide rather than magnesium chloride. Animals in the wild maintain an acid urine and freedom from struvite crystals, bladder stones, FLUTD, and canine and feline urolithiasis, yet the foods consumed by wild canines/felines contain higher levels of magnesium (0.1%) than suggested by some pet food manufacturers.

Struvite Crystals, FLUTD, Canine Struvite Urolithiasis – Treatment and Prevention with a two step approach The objective in both prevention and treatment of struvite crystals, bladder stones and urolithiasis should be restoration of the essential natural archetypal canine/feline diet, and replenishment of essential nutrients to restore proper urinary tract balance.

Revert the diet to its natural form. The diet pet carnivores are designed for is meat based. It is not by coincidence that high protein foods naturally generate a more acidic urine which prevents the development of struvite crystals and bladder stones. Feed entirely meat based and foods, either raw or minimally processed to preserve full nutrient value. Feeding in variety, not feeding just one food meal after meal, is also critical to health. Supplement with pH balancing supplements depending on the circumstances increasing or decreasing pH balance to restore natural balances and acidify the urine. Decreasing the pH balance helps to overcome the deficiencies in commercial processed pet foods by helping the animal extract the nutrients that are locked into the mainstay commercial diet(s). Biotic pH- decreasing supplement nutrients, which are commonly lacking as a result of processing pet foods. They also supply nutrients which help regulate metabolism to generate an acid urine. An acid urine has been demonstrated to not only be calculolytic (dissolves existing struvite crystals), but also preventative for the formation of struvite crystals and bladder stones in Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) and canine urolithiasis.
Note: Food and supplement recommendations in the last paragraph refer to Wysong products.
Contribution by R.L.Wysong, DVM

Canine Bladder Stones - How to Help Your Dog

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.

Dog

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Grill

Bertie"s Story - Canine Urolithiasis

Bertie

Bertie, a lovely 2 year old Pekingese, came in to us at the beginning of March because he was having difficulty passing urine and was feeling a bit under the weather. Bertie had a urine test that revealed blood and an alkaline pH, and an ultrasound scan which confirmed that there were some uroliths (bladder stones) present in his bladder.

This is Bertie’s X-ray, showing the stones in his bladder

The following day Bertie was admitted for an X-ray and an operation to remove the uroliths from his bladder. Bertie is now making a great recovery, although we are still waiting for the laboratory results that will tell us what type of uroliths he had.

The stones that were removed from Bertie’s bladder seem small in comparison to the paper clip, but they were certainly big enough to cause a lot of discomfort to Bertie.

Canine Urolithiasis explained

Urolithiasis is a disease caused by the presence and effects of excessive amounts of crystals  and/or uroliths (stones) in the urinary tract . The disease is sometimes called by other names including cystitis, urethritis, urinary calculi and bladder stones. As with humans, these stones and crystals can form anywhere in the urinary tract of the dog, including the kidneys, ureters, urethra or most commonly, the bladder.

Bladder crystals and stones are formed by minerals in the urine. Over time, the minerals bond together forming crystals and once these first crystals are present in the right conditions they can be built up into stones that sometimes reach 3″ to 4″ in diameter.
These crystals and stones irritate the lining of the urinary tract, causing changes in the lining, blood in the urine, and pain. In some cases the crystals or stones will block or partially block the flow or urine, making urination painful or impossible.

The picture on the left shows the urinary tract of a healthy male dog, while the picture on the right shows the urinary tract of a dog with urolithiasis.
(pictures courtesy of the Hill’s Atlas of Veterinary Clinical Anatomy)

Types of urolithiasis in dogs

There are several different types of crystals and bladder stones that can occur in dogs. Struvite are composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate while others are made of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, cystine, ammonium urate, or other compounds (some stones can actually be a combination of these). Each type of stone has its own different peculiarities as to which breed is most often affected and what factors affect the formation.

Some examples of Uroliths in dogs, cats and rabbits
(picture courtesy of Hills)

How urolithiasis occurs

There is no single cause of canine urolithiasis, but there are a number of important factors that may have an impact.

Genetics: The physiology of some dogs causes their bodies to produce higher levels of the substances that form the crystals; these are then excreted or formed in the urine.

Breed: Miniature Schnauzers, Pugs, Pekingese, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Dalmatians and Labradors are some of the more commonly affected breeds.

Gender: Crystals and stones occur in both male and female dogs but, because the urethra of the male is longer and narrower than the female’s, urethral obstruction is more common in males.

High mineral intake: The higher the urine concentration of minerals that make up the stones, the higher the risk that stones will form.

Urine pH: The acidity or alkalinity of the urine can influence the formation of crystals and stones. Some crystals, such as struvite, form in alkaline urine, whereas others form in acidic urine. The urine pH is largely influenced by diet.

Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections of the bladder can play the major role in struvite stone formation. They make the urine more alkaline which enhances the formation of struvite crystals and the by-products of bacterial metabolism may also enhance crystal formation.

Holding urine for long periods: dogs that have been confined or have a lack of regular exercise and are unable to pass urine on a regular basis are more likely to develop this disease

Low water intake: Dogs that do not drink enough may also be more likely to develop this disease

Diet: High levels of some minerals in the diet, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, have been directly linked to canine urinary bladder stone formation. A diet with excess protein can also contribute to stone formation. Diet can also influence the acidity or alkalinity of the urine.

Signs and symptoms of 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 to urinate


• Weakness


• Depression


• Loss of appetite


• Vomiting and pain

How urolithiasis is diagnosed

The vet may perform some or all of these tests

• Urinalysis, to determine the pH and concentration of the urine, if there is any blood or bacteria present and the types of crystals that may be present.


• Abdominal palpation, to feel stones present in the urinary bladder


• Ultrasound and/or X-Ray to see if stones are present and their location in the urinary tract (some uroliths do not show up on normal X-rays and this can help the vet narrow down the type of urolith that is present).


• Laboratory analysis of the uroliths; this will tell the vet exactly what type of urolith the dog has and thereful aid in deciding what treatment and preventative measures are necessary.

How urolithiasis is treated

Dietary changes: Depending on the type of crystals or stones your pet has, your vet may recommend a prescription diet for you dog that will either dissolve crystals that are present in the urine or prevent crystals from reforming.

Increase water intake: This may be done by feeding more tinned food or making water more exciting for the dog i.e. By using water fountains or flavouring the water with very dilute broth.

Medication: This may be used to treat any bacterial infections that are present.

Surgery:  The two main types of surgery that are performed are

1. Crystals can sometimes be removed using urohydropropulsion. The dog is anaesthetised and a urinary catheter is placed. Through the catheter, the bladder is filled with a sterile saline solution and the crystals may be flushed out of the urinary tract. This method can only be used with crystals or stones that are small enough to be passed.


2. Stones that cannot be passed through the urinary tract must be surgically removed during a procedure called a Cystotomy. The dog will be anaesthetised and the surgeon will make an incision in the dog’s abdomen and then into the bladder; the stones are then removed and the bladder is flushed with a sterile saline solution, before being sutured closed again.

Bertie with veterinary nurse Sue Drew