Dogs can also face kidney stones like humans when crystals or stones form in their kidneys. It's normally happened due to the abnormal concentration of mineral salts in the urine. This disease is also known as nephroliths, and the actual stones are also called nephroliths or uroliths. But in dogs, the stones can be of different types, which are made with different minerals and stones that form determines the treatment required by the dog. The size of the stone also plays a role in determining the treatment dogs receive.
Some stones are very dangerous as they pass through the ducts in the urinary tract and cause serious infections. If you are also noticing any sign of kidney stones in your dog, try to consult with your veterinarian. The proper diagnosis with proper treatment on time is necessary to prevent the dog from serious issues. Let's see the symptoms, causes, and treatments of kidney stones in dogs.
Symptoms of kidney stones in dogs
Kidney stones may not cause
any symptoms at all. But some of the symptoms, which can be observed that
related to the urinary tract. These symptoms include the following.
·
Licking at Genitals
·
Straining to Urinate
·
Blood in the Urine
·
Abdominal Pain
·
Urinating in odd places
·
Frequent Urination
· Recurrent Urinary tract Infection
Causes of kidney stones in dogs
If the dog's urine is slightly
acidic and contains dissolved minerals, it's normal. It's ok as long as the dog's
PH level remains to dilute and at the correct PH level. But if the urine becomes
too acidic or alkaline, the crystals of the slat will participate out and form
stones. The causes of kidney stones can be one or more of the following.
·
Kidney starts to absorb more eater as compared
to normal.
·
Mineral salt concentration increased in the
urine.
·
Urine PH level changes.
·
Urinary tract infection.
·
Dehydration
·
Genetic Predisposition.
·
Long-term use of Diuretics.
These are some main causes of kidney stones in dogs.
Diagnosis of kidney stones in dogs
If you suspect any of the
symptoms in your dog, make sure to visit the veterinarian as early as possible.
Try to collect your dog's urine sample in a container if you can and keep it in
the refrigerator until your appointment with the veterinarian. But after
24-hours, the sample is not useful, so try to collect the sample in the morning
on the day of your appointment. After the history of symptoms, a complete
physical detection is needed, which requires the detection of kidney stones by
abdominal x-ray or ultrasound.
But don't worry if you can't collect your dog's urine sample, as the veterinarian can collect it at the clinic.
The urine sample is helpful to detect the blood in urine, abdominal PH, and the presence of crystal. The veterinarian performs the microscopic observation of the urine to guess the type of urine. However, the final report is made after the stone fragment in the laboratory.
Treatment of kidney stones in dog
All the below treatments of kidney stones in dogs depend upon the stone's size, type, and location.
Medications
This treatment involves the use of different supplements to acidify the urine by dissolving the stones. These medications are prescribed to increase the water intake to dilute the mineral salts in the urine. But the antibiotics are a must to prevent the urinary tract from infections.
Dietary Adjustment
Depending upon the makeup of stones, a special diet can be prescribed to increase the thirst and to bring the PH to the normal level. Normally these diets low in protein, phosphorus, and magnesium. If you maintain their proper diet, the result can be seen within 2 to 12 weeks.
Urohydropropulsion
It's the best treatment when the risk of the urinary tract is high and the stones are small. In this treatment, the urinary catheter is passed through the urethra, which is flushed away from the stones with a sterile saline solution.
Surgery
Sometimes the stones are too large for the Urohydropropulsion, and surgery may be required. It's also necessary when the dietary changes don't resolve the issue of stones. Surgery involves the removal of the kidney or stone cleaning from the bladder and flushing the bladder and urethra.
ESWL
It's a shock wave lithotripsy, which involves the removal of the stone without invasive surgery. The high-energy sound waves of this special process break up the stones into small pieces that can be flushed from the urinary tract.
Kidney Stones Recovery in Dogs
You need to follow up on the urinalysis
and abdominal x-rays when the treatment is initiated. Make sure the stones are
dissolving, and the new ones are not formed. You need to feed the therapeutic
diet to your dog, depending on the stone formation. A routine inspection of the
symptoms and urinary tract infection is essential to prevent further stones.
Some Important FAQs About Dogs Kidney Stones:-
What foods cause kidney stones in dogs?
You need to avoid foods that contain a high level of oxalates,
such as spinach, sweet potatoes, organ meat, and brown rice. It decreases the
chances of developing bladder stones.
How much does it cost to remove kidney stones from dogs?
Laser lithotripsy is one solution for removing the dog’s
kidney stones, costing from $1300 to $2800 depending on their size and condition.
What dogs are prone to bladder stones?
The dog breeds that are more prone to bladder stones include
the Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apso, and YorkshireTerrier.
Are kidney stones in dogs fatal?
Yes, kidney stones can be dangerous for dogs, especially when
they grow large or break. They allow the smaller pieces to enter and get stuck
in the dog’s ureter, which can hurt your dog.
Can a dog live with bladder stones?
Bladder stones can be responsible for frequent urinary tract
infections, pain, and blockages. All these conditions can be potentially fatal
when left untreated. So, make sure to contact your vet immediately in any case.
