Canine Urolithiasis Urolithiasis is a disease caused by the presence and effects of uroliths (stones) or calculi or excessive amounts of crystals in the urinary tract. The disease is referred to by many names, including cystitis, urethritis, urinary calculi, bladder stones, or kidney stones. As in humans, these stones and crystals can form anywhere in the urinary tract of the dog, including the kidney, urethra, or most commonly, the bladder. These crystals or stones irritate the lining of the urinary tract, causing changes in the lining, blood in the urine, and often pain. In some cases the crystals or stones will block or partially block the flow of urine, making urination painful or impossible. Symptoms of urolithiasis maybe frequent urination often in unusual places, bloody urine, dribbling urine, straining to urinate, weakness, depression, loss of appetite, and sometimes vomiting and pain. You should see your veterinarian straight away if you see any of these symptoms as this disease can lead to a life threatening situation. Stones can block the urine flow, prevent elimination of poisonous wastes and cause death.

There is no single cause of canine urolithiasis. Yet, there are a number of important factors to consider. 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. Occurrence in male and females are of equal frequency, although urethral obstruction is more common in males as their urethra is longer and narrower. Most small breed dog are susceptible to Urolithiasis. Infrequent urination, as a result of confinement, lack of regular exercise, or low water intake, contribute to the formation of crystals and stones. High levels of some minerals in the diet, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and sometimes calcium, have been directly linked to canine urinary bladder stone formation. A diet with excess protein can contribute to stone formation. In most cases, stones are made up of only one type of cystal, but on occasion, different crystals may be mixed within the same stone. Each type of stone is affected by different nutrients and characteristics of the diet. Therefore, it is important to know what type of stone your dog has.

Diagnosis If your veterinarian suspects your dog may have stones, he or she may perform some or all of these diagnostic tests: Palpate the abdomen to feel for stones present in the bladder Urine test to determine the types of crystals present. Urine culture to determine if bacteria are present in the urinary tract and the appropriate antibiotic with which to treat these bacteria. X-rays to see if there are stones present in the bladder and urinary tract. To evaluate how well your pet is responding to therapy, your veterinarian may periodically repeat some of these tests. Therefore, you will need to bring your pet in for rechecks as directed by your veterinarian.

Treatment If the urinary tract is blocked, your veterinarian will have to correct the blockage and empty the dog’s urinary bladder. The further tests will be performed to determine the stone type and appropriate therapy. You pet may need to stay at the hospital during this process. In most cases of stones and crystals, your dog may have to go on a special diet with reduced amounts certain minerals and protein, or a special diet plus medication to dissolve the stones. If an infection is present, antibiotics are also necessary. However, with some cases, a surgical removal of the stones is required With or without surgery, your dog must go on a special diet for 4 – 16 weeks, depending on the size and number of stones present. During this time it is very important that your dog consumes nothing but the prescribed medications and diet. Hill’s prescription s/d® and c/d® or Waltham’s Low pH control® can be purchased at your local veterinarian.

It is important that you give the special diet and nothing else for the period advised by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may also ask you to take in urine samples at regular intervals for testing for crystals present. Prevention Of all dogs treated for urolithiasis, 20 to 50 percent will have a recurrence of the problem and accompanying pain if preventive measures are not taken. A balanced diet such as Hill’s prescription c/d® and Waltham’s Low pH control® can be taken long term for the prevention of Canine Urolithiasis.

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