Canine Bladder Stones - Answering Some Common Questions Often times it is amazing how similar veterinarian medicine and human medicine are, both in diagnosis and treatment. This paradox has never been more apparent than with canine bladder stones. The one major difference is that dogs aren’t able to speak. Many of us believe we can understand our animals through their actions, but veterinarians must piece the puzzle together without direct communication from the patient. Dogs, like humans, on occasion suffer from bladder stones (otherwise known as canine urolithiasis, cystitis, urethritis, or kidney stones). This condition, in which excessive amounts of "stones" or crystals gather in the urinary tract, causes urinary tract irritation and pain during urination. Most often the stones are formed in a dog's bladder, but they can form in the kidney or the urethra as well. Once formed, they then aggravate the urinary tract lining and can lead to blood in the urine and pain. In some instances the stones will actually block the stream of urine, thus making urination painful and even impossible. When a serious blockage does occur, surgery may be the only option. Canine bladder stones come in three major varieties, struvite stones (also called magnesium-ammonium-phosphate or triple phosphate), calcium oxalate stones which tend to form in acidic urine, and uric acid stones (similar to gout crystals in humans). It is estimated that struvite stones account for over half of all cases of canine bladder stones. Any pet owner who has experienced bladder stones knows how painful they can be to pass. It is safe to say that you’re favorite canine friend will experience some pain as well when dealing with canine bladder stones. So identifying the problem sooner rather than later is very important. The best treatment is to take simple preventative measures to avoid bladder stones. There are a few simple steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of stones. 1. Diet is Important – While you may not be able to totally eliminate canine bladder stones with diet you can certainly reduce your pets chances of getting a stone. Remember stones are made up of magnesium and calcium in over 50% of cases! By making smart pet food choices by selecting foods which are low in these minerals may be just what is needed to avoid stones and if you already have a stone you may reduce the size. 2. Make sure to give your dog plenty of fresh filtered water. This will help to keep the urinary system flowing and reduce the risk of developing canine bladder stones. 3. Put your pet on a twice a day exercise routine. Put simply it will encourage your dog to drink more water, increase overall health and happiness, and reduce the chances of developing canine bladder stones. 4. Consider a homeopathic remedy. Many of these remedies work well to dissolve bladder stones, reduce the chances of stone formation, and promote urinary health.
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