urinary stones disease cats and dog, Urolithiasis in animal

Urolithiasi

Dogs Urinary Symptoms urinary stones disease

educated urinary stones in kidney tissue, pelvis, bladder or his detention in the lumen of the ureter, urethra. Education urolytov ceased to be subject to the result of disorders that contribute pretsypytatsyy crystals in the urine.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of the disease depends on staying urinary stones, their size, surface condition and is podvyzhnosty.
The main symptoms of urinary stones is pain and hematuria. Pain may be constant and sometimes manifested by sharp attacks of colic. Urination frequent and painful. In Education stone in renal pelvis symptoms characteristic for pielita and subsequent pyelonephritis.
At this time, the disease may increase body is 0.5 – 1.00 C. In urine too many inorganic precipitation, protein, leukocytes, epithelium of the renal pelvis, microorganisms. Appears frequent painful urination, prerÑ‹vaemoe false pozÑ‹vamy.
When occlusion urinary tract disease manifests classic triad of symptoms: urinary colics, violation of the act of urination and changes in the composition of urine. May cause rupture of the bladder, peritonitis and death at 2-3 days after obturation.

Prevalence

Dogs and cats often obsleduyutsya through displays signs of diseases of the lower urinary tract, including hematuria, dysuria, pollakyuryyu, incontinence and inappropriate urination. Review data received from the Veterinary Medical Data Base between 1980 and 1995, found that the prevalence of diseases of the lower urinary tract in dogs was 3.0% in cats between 1980 and 1990 the prevalence of diseases of the lower urinary tract was 7.3.% These diseases are more common in dogs older than 4 years, and cats from the first year to 10 years.

Etiology

 urinary stones disease 

Not yet understood. It is believed that the formation of urinary stones in most cases caused by a violation of the regulation of salt metabolism of the central nervous system due to improper, uniform feeding, hypo-and hyperavytamynozov.
One of the leading factors of urinary stones education – a violation of the basic relationship between acid equivalents feed. In the formation of stones in dogs and cats play an important role microorganisms (staphylococci, streptococci, Proteus)
Kamneobrazovanye often caused by the use of various medicinal substances.
On the other hand, are important in the formation of stones is excessive use of feeds rich in phosphates. Factors kamneobrazovanyya are long periodic stagnation of urine alkalinization followed her, the precipitation of salts and the formation of concretions.
Factors that complicate the course of the disease may be relatively small diameter of the urethra in cats, especially castrated at an early age.
Impaction, mucosal lesions of urinary stones accompanied by stagnation of urine penetration into the urinary tract ascending line of secondary infection, resulting in growing catarrhal-purulent inflammation of the bladder (urotsystyt), renal pelvis and kidney (pyelonephritis). Animals dying from uremia (obstruction of the urethra).
Over the last 15-20 years, the frequency struvytnoho urolytyaza decreased, and the frequency oxalate urolytyaza uvelychylas.

Etiopathogenesis

male and female urogenital system urinary stones disease

Education urolytov calcium oxalate occurs when urine is supersaturated with calcium oxalate i. Additional risk factors for education is urolytov breed, sex, age and diet. Once forming urolyta once started, the focus must remain in the urinary tract, and conditions should facilitate further pretsypytatsyy minerals and growth urolytov. So, for formyroanyya calcium oxalate urine calcium must be peresыschena i oxalic acid (atsyduryya). Abnormalities in the balance between the concentration in urine kalkulohennыh substances (calcium and oxalic acid) and inhibitors of crystallization (including citrate, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and / or potassium) associated with the initiation and growth urolytov calcium oxalate. In addition to these violations activity of ions, proteins with high molecular weight, which in urine, such as nefrokaltsyn, uropontyn and mukoproteiny have influence on the formation of calcium oxalate. The role of these macromolecular inhibitors and ionic calcium oxalate formation has not been studied in cats.

Etiological risk factors

Hypercalciuria

Hypercalciuria is assumed as a risk factor, but not necessarily the cause of education urolytov calcium oxalate in cats. It may be the result of excessive calcium absorption in the intestines, impaired renal reabsorption of calcium and / or excessive mobilization of calcium from the intestine (rezorbtyvnaya).Consumption cats diet enriched zakyslytelem urine ammonium chloride associated with increased excretion of calcium through metabolic acidosis.Metabolic acidosis promotes bone reorganization (the release of calcium from bone as a buffer) and increasing the concentration of ionized calcium in the blood, which leads to increased urinary calcium excretion and decreased tubular reabsorption of calcium. Although excessive calcium intake may lead to hypercalciuria, human studies have refuted this fact.

HYPEROKSALURYYA

Increased excretion of oxalic acid in the urine may lead to formation of calcium oxalate. Hyperoksaluryya was found in cats who consume a diet deficient in vitamin B6, and in the group of cats with reduced number of hepatic D-hlytserat dehydrogenase.

VIOLATION inhibitors and PROMOUTEROV

Urine is a solution that contains many substances that may inhibit or promote the formation and growth of crystals. Some inhibitors, such as citrate, magnesium and pyrophosphate to form soluble salts with calcium or oxalic acid, thus reducing the availability of calcium or oxalic acid pretsypytatsyy.Other inhibitors are makromolekulyarnыmy proteins, such as Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein and nefrokaltsyn that affect the ability of calcium and oxalic acid combined, thereby minimizing the formation and growth of crystals. Other substances may promote urinary calcium oxalate. The role of any of these inhibitors and promoters has been investigated thoroughly.

Performance risk urolytyaza

Dogs Urinary Symptoms urinary stones disease

Relative supernasÑ‹schenye (BSP), also called the work activity of the product, the mathematical term used to describe the concentration of minerals in the urine and the amount of energy available for education urolytov. Other factors influencing the level of relative supernasÑ‹schenyya are: urine pH, temperature and ionic strength. One of the most important factors determining the concentration of minerals – a volume of urine. Well hydrated diet promotes the formation of a separated urine, which causes the relative supernasÑ‹schenyya less than 1, although the content of minerals. Indeed, one of the most affordable ways to reduce the risk urolytyaza in cats just increased water consumption. Studies have shown that cats eat canned food, produce more urine volume (and therefore more diluted urine) than animals eat dry food.Many companies that produce therapeutic diets claim that the level of BSP less than 1 indicates that the urine or form crystals or stones. Indeed, the level of BSP less than 1 indicates that the urine nenasÑ‹schennaya and the likelihood of small stones. Canned diets of many companies is a lot of moisture, so that the animal consumes a high amount of water, because cats should consume plenty of water to ensure the flow of energy processes. However, it turns out that the buyer pays mostly water.

BSP and PDA

Reflects whether BSP tendency to form urolytov? One indicator BSP can not adequately describe the tendency to feed or protect education in formation of crystals in the urine. BSP does not consider the contribution of inhibitors and substances that contribute to the formation of stones (promoterov) in this process in animal urine. Because of this, many scientists use index, known as the ratio of activity product (PDA), which assesses the contribution of diet in the tendency to form stones in the urine. Hill `s paraphrased the rate on the index risk kamneobrazovanyya (IGC) and” uses in its research and production diets.
PDA took a step further than in BSP as take into account the role of inhibitors and promoterov on krystalyzatsyyu in urine. PDA determines the attitude of BSP before and after incubation of urine with precipitant. Using this figure, we can reliably throw in case crystals tend to further krystalyzatsyy and where to dissolving in each urine sample. And this really true definition of slash!
Levels of BSP and PDA is not always the only indications of risk education crystals in some urine. For example, people have a pretty high rate of BSP for calcium oxalate, but in all these rocks formed. At the same time, urine with low levels of BSP (

Urolithiasis (bladder stones)

Meet “Miss Scarlet the Grange Dog”. She came to visit us a few weeks ago with the complaint of not feeling well and having to urinate all the time. The only problem we could find on physical exam was a small amount of malodorous vaginal discharge. Since she had never been spayed, we had to consider that she might have pyometra (infection in the uterus). Surgery to remove her uterus and ovaries was scheduled, and antibiotics and pain medicines were started. When Miss Scarlet was anesthetized we were able to palpate her abdomen a little better. While she was awake, she kept her stomach muscles so tight that we could not effectively palpate. A very hard structure was felt in the caudal abdomen (towards her tail end) — in the area of the bladder. Since there should not be any hard objects in this area, it was likely that she had, along with the infected uterus, a stone in her bladder. The medical term for this is urolithiasis.

Surgery consisted of opening the abdomen, cutting into the bladder and removing a large “rock”, flushing the bladder and urethra, and then suturing the bladder closed. Next, the uterus and ovaries were removed because of her pyometra. All went well and Miss Scarlet was returned to her owner a new “lighter” dog.

This is a picture of the freshly removed stone.

This picture shows some objects for size reference. Scarlet is a 10# mixed breed terrier. As you can imagine from the size of the stone, there wasn’t much room left in the bladder for urine. This reason, combined with the irritating nature of the stone, would make it so that Miss Scarlett felt like she had to urinate all the time. Add to this the irritation and discomfort from the uterus and you can understand why she didn’t feel 100%.

Here are some examples of stones we have removed from other patients. Sometimes there is just one, sometimes there are hundreds — like small gravel. These stones are very hard. Often the stones are passed out the urethra before they get large enough to cause trouble. If they are not passed they can irritate the lining of the bladder, cause bloody urine, and make the dog feel like it has to urinate often. The stone can also temporarily (or permanently) block the passage of urine, and when this happens, it is a medical emergency. Surgery must be performed immediately to remove the stone or stones so that the dog can urinate.

Crystal formation is enhanced in urine that is alkaline (has a basic pH), and is inhibited in urine that has more acidic pH. Diet is a big contributing factor to the pH of the urine. Meat based diets tend to make more acidic urine, and plant based diets make more alkaline urine. Bacteria, which like to grow in an alkaline pH, make by-products that also contribute to crystal formation. Bladder stones in dogs are sometimes found following cases of infection in the bladder (cystitis). The inflammation and bacterial by-products form debris in the bladder which provide a starting place (or nidus) for the crystals to begin forming. Once the crystals start, they can form onto each other and build and build until they make stones. So you can see that urine pH and bacterial infection go hand in hand with urolithiasis.

Not all stones are caused from inflammation, some dogs such as Dalmatians, produce bladder stones because they cannot metabolize certain substances well. In the case of some Dalmatians, they cannot metabolize uric acid and so they make uric acid stones. This type of stone formation can be possibly corrected or prevented with special diets. Other dogs, such as Schnauzers just seem predisposed to form stones for some unknown reason.

Bladder stones can look very impressive on a radiograph as shown above. This radiograph is not from Miss Scarlett, but of a dog that had the largest stone in the above stone comparison.
Can you see the more dense central portion of the stone? This could be a different type of stone within the larger stone. It is not unusual to have multiple types of stone within the bladder at the same time. It sure looks uncomfortable to me!

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.

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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

Bladder Stones (Urolithiasis) Part 1

This is a condition frequently seen in dogs and cats and in both males and females. Stones can develop anywhere in the urinary tract: the ureters ( 2 small tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder which stores the urine, and the urethra which takes the urine  from the bladder to outside the body. Over 85% of the times,  stones develop in the bladder. (Very rarely do stones develop in the kidney in dogs and cats, called renal calculi.  Humans get renal calculi and not bladder stones.) In dogs and cats, certain minerals can precipitate out of the urine and become a sandy particle,  more can develop and when they cling to each other a calculus (urolith, stone) develops. They can become 3-4” in diameter and can take up to 99% of a bladder. The largest one I every removed was the size of a goose egg and it took up the majority of the bladder. It was in a female standard poodle. Most stones develop as the result of a bladder infection known as cystitis. Diet is involved as the diet influences the ph (level of acidity) and the mineral content of the urine. Water is involved because if the urine is very concentrated from lack of water consumption, more precipitates occur.  And the breed is involved because certain breeds are predisposed to calculi development. These breeds include: Schnauzers, Lhasas, Yorkies, Bichons, Shihtsus, and mini Poodles.  In male dogs and cats, the urethra is long and narrows at the penis where stones can get stuck and cause a complete obstruction. This obstruction must be relieved, urine must flow, or else it can become fatal. The stones can get stuck near the neck of the bladder, or by the prostate as it narrows going through,   midway down the urethra where it curves, or just behind the penis, (dogs have a bone in the penis known as the os penis, and the urethra is very small there). Early signs of bladder stones are the same as cystitis: frequent urination of small quantities, blood in the urine, urinary accidents, and apparent straining to urinate. The worse sign is attempting to urine but nothing comes out.  Occasionally the bladder stones can be felt with gentle palpation of the lower abdomen, and often a urinalysis shows crystals in the urine which are the precursors of calculi, but usually x-rays are taken to confirm the diagnosis.  If  crystals show up in the urinalysis, and even if very small calculi are present, surgery is sometimes avoided by just changing the diet, especially in females. Small stones in males are the most dangerous ones because of the obstruction possibility.

Bladder Stones (Urolithiasis) Part 2

Last week I discussed what these stones are and how common they are found in dogs and cats. Bladder stones are formed by minerals, which first precipitate out in the urine as separate microscopic crystals. The most useful diagnostic test used is the urinalysis. Many times these crystals show up in the microscopic analysis of urine and an early diagnosis of the potential of calculi development is determined. The most common type of stone is struvite. These stones are made up of magnesium ammonium phosphate. Other stones are made up of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, cystine, ammonium urate, etc. Some stones are a composite of more than one type. This reinforces the importance of a urinalysis, because the treatment varies with the chemical makeup of the crystals. Also, it is very important to determine if an infection is present, as well as the urine pH (level of acidity). Radiographs must be taken to determine the presence of the larger aggregates of minerals called calculi, and their size and location. In males, the size and location of these stones will indicate the risk of obstruction, while in females the small stones in the bladder or urethra can actually pass through the urethra to the outside. One the diagnosis is made, the size and location determined, a decision is made to try or not to try to reduce the size of the stone by means of diet and medication. Sometimes medical therapy is used in conjunction with surgery to treat the patient and eliminate the problem. In males the obstruction potential always looms, so usually surgery is the best choice. The usual associated infection is treated, as well as the correction of pH. The surgical procedure is known as a cytology (my favorite operation). If all the stones are located in the bladder only, and none lodged in the urethra further down the urinary tract, the procedure is very successful, with a quick recovery When the urethra is involved, although the procedure is also very successful, it is more involved, and recovery is longer. Once the immediate problem is resolved, whether by surgery or medical management, the prevention now is the key. We now know that this pet has the genetic capacity of stone production. The type of stone determines which food is recommended to prevent future stones from developing. For instance, struvite producing dogs require a completely different type of food than urate producing dogs. Keeping your pet on the special food is an absolute must. Otherwise, stones will reoccur and surgery has to be repeated. Frequent urine microscopic analysis is very important to determine if any crystals are beginning to form again. Next week my article will be Urolithiasis in Cats. To view more articles, go to my website at http://www.locustvalleyvet.com

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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